Calculations around castes and sub-castes tend to play a big role in the electoral arena in India, barring some exceptions. One such could be the Shiggaon Assembly constituency in Haveri district of Karnataka, where the Lingayat Panchamasali community is numerically strong followed by Muslims. However, former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, belonging to the numerically smaller Sadar Lingayat community, has won the seat four times in a row and is now canvassing for his son Bharath Bommai. The byelection was necessitated because of Mr. Basavaraj Bommai’s entry to the Lok Sabha.
Muslim representation
While Shiggaon had Muslim representation earlier, the last election when a Muslim candidate won was in 1999, when the Janata Dal (Secular) candidate Sayed Azeem Peer Khadri registered a victory. Mr. Khadri shifted to the Indian National Congress in 2004 and lost to an Independent candidate, Rajashekhar Sindhur, who in 2008 “sacrificed” his seat to make way for Mr. Basavaraj Bommai, who had quit the Janata Dal (United) and joined the BJP.
The constituency, a bastion of the Congress for over four decades, has become the BJP’s fortress ever since. The leader from the Janata Parivar stables converted the Congress bastion into the BJP bastion and went on to become Chief Minister from the saffron party.
Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan, Congress candidate
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Considering the sizeable Muslim population in the constituency, the Congress has fielded Muslim candidates in most elections so far and has done so for the sixth time in a row this time. The defeat of its candidate Sayed Azeem Peer Khadri four times from 2004 to 2018 and then of Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan in 2023, with a huge margin, has not made the Congress change its plan. Mr. Pathan, who lost against Mr. Basavaraj Bommai, is now fighting it out against Mr. Bharath Bommai, an entrepreneur.
Panchamasali issue
Since 2023, things have changed and the Panchamasali reservation issue is not the talking point now in the constituency where in terms of development still a lot needs to be done. However, the issue of development is buried under mudslinging by leaders of both the parties.
The Congress is also trying to project it as a fight between an ex-Chief Minister’s son and a common party worker, which is being countered by the BJP by saying that it would ensure continuity in development. The BJP has a convenient amnesia for its earlier rhetoric of “dynastic politics”. Mr. Bharath Bommai is a third-generation politician, with his father as well as his grandfather S.R. Bommai having served as Chief Ministers.
Although the opponent seems formidable, the Congress is optimistic because of the lead it got in the Assembly segment during the parliamentary election and is also trying to cash in on some dissent in the BJP camp over the ticket being given to a former Chief Minister’s son. While the BJP seems to have neutralised the discontent over a party worker not being given representation, the Congress has won over Mr. Khadri who withdrew his nomination as a rebel candidate after much dilly-dallying.
The Congress has employed a bunch of Ministers, led by Satish Jarkiholi, Shivanand Patil, and Eshwar Khandre, to camp in Shiggaon and are working it out against the clout of the ex-Chief Minister.
Waqf to the forefront
As a counter, the BJP appears to be of late making efforts to use the waqf board row, particularly after an incident of violence at Kadakol village in the constituency.
BJP MP Tejasvi Survya’s social media post, citing the fake news of a farmer ending his life over mutation entry in favour of the waqf board, showed what the Congress calls a “desperate attempt” by the BJP camp to create a sense of fear among the Hindu electorate. A case has been booked against the MP in this regard, who is actively campaigning in the constituency.
Former MLA Kovai K. Selvaraj, who had a political career in the Congress, AIADMK and DMK, died in Tirupati on Friday.
Sources close to his family said that Mr. Selvaraj suffered a cardiac arrest in Tirupati, where he had gone along with the family for his son’s wedding on Friday. Though he was rushed to a hospital, he was declared brought dead.
Selvaraj began his career in the AIADMK. He left the party in 1984 when he was not given a ticket to contest in the Assembly elections. Mr. Selvaraj then joined Congress and became the party’s MLA from the erstwhile Coimbatore West constituency in 1991. He was expelled from the party in June 2015, after he made a public appeal that the Congress should back the AIADMK in the R.K. Nagar by-election, when the then AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa contested.
Shekher first joined the BJP. He later crossed over to the AIADMK. Mr. Selvaraj later became AIADMK’s Coimbatore Urban district secretary, besides serving as one of the spokespersons of the party. When the AIADMK split into two factions after the death of Jayalalithaa, Mr. Selvaraj stood with O. Panneerselvam and raised his voice against the leadership of Edappadi K. Palaniswami.
His stint in the AIADMK ended in December 2022 when he joined the DMK, where he was promoted to the deputy secretary of the party’s media wing in April 2023.
Sources added that Mr. Selvaraj’s body would be brought to his residence in Coimbatore on Saturday.
Stalin condoles death
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed shock over the death of former legislator and DMK spokesperson Kovai Selvaraj and extended his condolences.
In a statement, Mr. Stalin underlined the DMK functionary’s skills in promoting the principles of the DMK on various debating forums.
Recalling their meeting during his recent visit to Coimbatore, the CM said the DMK spokesperson said he would accompany his newly married son to visit Chennai to get his blessings.
“But, I was shocked to learn that he died while his son was getting married. My deep condolences to his family members and party functionaries,” Mr. Stalin said. (
A virtual ‘nikah’ was solemnised in Himachal Pradesh with the groom in Turkiye and the bride in Mandi.
“The marriage ceremony of Adnan Muhammad, a resident of Bilaspur, had to be performed virtually as the company for which he works in Turkiye refused to grant him leave,” his family members said.
Also, the ailing grandfather of the bride insisted that she get married at the earliest, they added.
The family members of the groom and the bride agreed to a virtual ‘nikah’ and the barat from Bilaspur reached Mandi on Sunday (November 3, 2024). The marriage was held on Monday (November 4, 2024).
The couple connected through video calling and a qazi performed the rituals with the duo saying “qubool hai” thrice.
Akram Mohammad, the uncle of the girl said the wedding was made possible only due to the advanced technology.
Last year in July, Ashish Singha from Kotgarh in Shimla and Shivani Thakur from Bhuntar in Kullu tied the knot through video conferencing as the barat could not reach its destination due to landslides and flash floods.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters
“The Biden Administration in the last four years has expanded America’s relationship with India,” U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said.
“We strengthened NATO. We’ve pulled NATO together. We’ve kept 50 countries focused on providing security assistance to Ukraine. The things that we’ve done in the Indo-Pacific. Quite amazing,” Mr. Austin told reporters in Florida.
“We walked in the door and were about to get kicked out of the Philippines. We are 180 degrees out from that now. We have a great relationship with the Philippines, and we continue to work together in the ways that we should be working together. You look at AUKUS, which is a generational capability that is really going to make a significant difference going forward,” he said.
Mr. Austin said that America’s relationship with India has improved under the Biden administration.
“We walked in the door and Japan has doubled its investment in defence and the list goes on and on and on. So, despite supporting and managing security assistance to Ukraine, and also supporting Israel’s efforts to defend its sovereign territory, we’ve been able to maintain a focus on the Indo-Pacific as well,” Mr. Austin said.
“We described it as our “pacing challenge” early on, and that remained our pacing challenge. So, we were able to manage challenges and resources – and I think that put us in a pretty good place. It sets up the country for success going forward, as long as we follow on the work,” said the Defence Secretary in his first remarks after the defeat of the ruling Democratic party in the November 5 presidential elections.
Responding to a question, Mr. Austin said the most important thing on voter’s minds was the economy, and that’s what people voted on.
“I did not say that this was not important. Of course, it’s important. I’m saying that what you’ve described as the most important thing to the people of America was the economy. So, I can’t disagree with that, I think that’s the way, people may have voted,” Mr. Austin said.
“But I can also say that things in Europe and the Middle East were very important as well. I think we’ve done a magnificent job there in terms of managing things and not allowing things to blossom into a full-blown regional war,” he said.
Image for representation only
| Photo Credit: Anil Kumar Sastry
In the early morning of Saturday (November 9, 2024), three coaches of the 22850 Secunderabad–Shalimar Weekly Express derailed near Nalpur station in Kharagpur Division. No casualties or injuries were reported in the accident even though the train was packed with passengers.
The derailment occured around 5.30 a.m. according to South Eastern Railway officials. One parcel van and two passenger coaches were derailed in this incident. The accident site is around 40 km away from Howrah, one of the largest railway junctions in Eastern India.
Secunderabad-Shalimar Superfast Express derail
| Video Credit:
The Hindu
According to South Eastern Railway officials, “All passengers of the derailed train have been evacuated and sent by 10 bus to their destinations. One Local train has also been arranged for transportation of passengers. Restoration process is in progress.”
“Accident relief trains and medical relief trains have already reached the spot. Survey work is on. After sending all passengers to their destination we also begin restoration work,” Om Prakash Charan, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of South Eastern Railway said in an official statement after the accident.
A railway help desk has been started at the Kharagpur Station for all emergencies. The relief has been arranged from Santragachi and Kharagpur stations.
Passengers who were onboard the derailed train shared their ordeal and said, “Railway Police Force worked swiftly. Medical team reached us within a hour, they asked after all passengers.” But most passengers remained traumatised by the impact of the accident.
Railway engineers and experts also reached the spot to inspect the accident site and determine the cause of the derailment.
The train lines in this division remained affected till late in the day which delayed most trains in the South Eastern Division. Five trains were diverted, 17 were short terminated or short originated, four were cancelled. Passengers on other trains remained stranded for hours as railway services crawled back to normalcy through the day.
Helpline numbers in the 22850 Secunderabad–Shalimar Weekly Express derailment accident –
Kharagpur Help Desk number – Railway 63764, P&T 032229-3764
M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, inaugurating the Ballast Water Treatment Technologies – Test Facility at NIOT’s seafront site in Tirupati district on Friday.
The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), working under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, has dedicated to the nation the Ballast Water Treatment Technologies – Test Facility (BWTT-TF), located at its seafront site at Pamanji and Vagarru villages in Tirupati district.
M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, inaugurated the facility on Friday. He explained the threat posed by bio-invasive organisms transmitted through ballast water to the long coast of 7,516 km along the Indian subcontinent, which has an enviable and strategic position in international shipping.
“Realising the effects of invasive species and its threat to marine biodiversity, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) had taken efforts to address the transfer of invasive species and formulated guidelines to prevent the transfer of unwanted species through ballast water. We have developed this treatment and test facility to validate the ballast treatment equipment for certification by the Ministry of Shipping and IMO,” he explained.
Mr. Ravichandran later laid the foundation stone for the proposed Centre for Marine Microbial Repository under Deep Ocean Mission Vertical-3, NIOT Campus in Chittedu village, which is a unique and first-of-its-kind facility for long term storage of deep sea microbes in India.
A 26-year-old woman died after falling from a moving train at Mooradu, near Payyoli in Kozhikode, on Friday. The victim was identified as Jincy Subrahmanyan, a resident of Chelembra in Malappuram district.
The incident occurred at 6 a.m. She was travelling on the Alappuzha Executive Express with her parents, after visiting relatives in Kannur.
File picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi (then Chief Minister of Gujarat) with industrialist Ratan N. Tata at the Global Investors Summit 2011 in Gandhinagar
| Photo Credit: PTI
It has been a month since Shri Ratan Tata Ji left us. From bustling cities and towns to villages, his absence is deeply felt across every segment of society. Seasoned industrialists, budding entrepreneurs and hardworking professionals mourn his loss. Those passionate about the environment and devoted to philanthropy are equally saddened. His absence has been deeply felt not only across the nation but also around the world.
For the youth, Shri Ratan Tata was an inspiration, a reminder that dreams are worth pursuing and that success can coexist with compassion as well as humility. For others, he represented the finest traditions of Indian enterprise and a steadfast commitment to the values of integrity, excellence and service. Under his leadership, the Tata Group ascended to new heights, embodying respect, honesty and credibility worldwide. Despite this, he wore his achievements lightly, with humility and kindness.
Shri Ratan Tata’s unwavering support for the dreams of others was one of his most defining qualities. In recent years, he became known for mentoring India’s StartUp ecosystem, investing in many promising ventures. He understood the hopes and aspirations of young entrepreneurs and recognised the potential they had to shape India’s future. By backing their efforts, he empowered a generation of dreamers to take bold risks and push boundaries. This has gone a long way in creating a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, which I am confident will continue to positively impact India for decades to come.
He constantly championed excellence, urging Indian enterprises to set global benchmarks. This vision, I hope, will inspire our future leaders to make India synonymous with world-class quality.
His greatness was not restricted to the boardroom or helping fellow humans. His compassion extended to all living beings. His deep love for animals was well-known and he supported every possible effort focused on animal welfare. He often shared photos of his dogs, who were as much a part of his life as any business venture. His life was a reminder to us all that true leadership is measured not just by one’s achievements, but by one’s ability to care for the most vulnerable.
For crores of Indians, Shri Ratan Tata’s patriotism shone brightest in times of crisis. His swift reopening of the iconic Taj Hotel in Mumbai after the 26/11 terror attacks was a rallying call to the nation—India stands united, refusing to yield to terrorism.
Ratan Tata became the chairman of Tata group in 1991. Tata received the baton J. R. D. Tata, his uncle, to an empire made-up of a disparate set of companies united only by name, literally.
(From left) Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Sons with Executive Vice-President P. A. Vandrevala and CEO of TCS S. Ramadurai at the inauguration of TCS’ Sholinganallur facility
near Chennai on March 25, 1999.
Ratan Tata with K.B.Dadiseth, the then Director of Indian Hotels Company Limited in Mumbai on August 26, 2000. The IHCL is the holding company for Tatas hotel business, which includes flagship Taj and affordable Ginger Hotels.
Ratan Tata with former West Bengal Chief Minister and Communist veteran Jyoti Basu on August 30, 2000. The Tatas had big plans to manufacture their affordable car Nano in West Bengal’s Singur. However, it failed after massive protests on land acquisition. Tata Nano was eventually rolled out from Sanand in Gujarat, and the Left Front lost power in the State.
Ratan Tata with CEO N.srinath, CEO of Tata Internet Services Limited at a press conference to announce the launch of Tata Nova Internet Services in Mumbai on March 1, 2001. Poineers in all
The former Union Minister for tourism and culture Ananth Kumar and Ratan Tata, exchanging the MoU signed for the upgradation of facilities at the Taj Mahal in New Delhi on June 21, 2001.
Ratan Tata receiving the CSIR Diamond Jubilee Technology Award from the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on September 13, 2004. Ratan Tata had shown his support to government when Manmohan Singh chaired as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014.
The former Union Minister for Information Technology and Communications Dayanidhi Maran (left), with Ratan Tata, and the Chairman of Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL) Subodh Bhargava (right), at the TGN – VSNL integration ceremony in New Delhi on July 28, 2005.
Former President Pratibha Patil presenting the Padma Vibhushan Award to Ratan Naval Tata during the presentation of Padma Awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on May 10, 2008.
Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Motors, handing over the key of the first Nano car to Ashok Vichare and his family, in Mumbai on July 17, 2009. The Tata Nano, popularly called “1 lakh car”, was considered the “cheapest car”. It failed to impress the Indians and overall sales did not meet the expected target.
Ratan Tata group went in F/A 18 Super Hornet during the AERO INDIA 2011 at Yelahanka Airforce Station in Bangalore on February 10, 2011. Ratan Tata was a trained pilot and he had licenses to fly both jets and helicopters, showing his ever-growing passion towards aviation all his life.
Ratan Tata at the unveiling of world’s first ever gold jewellery car by Goldplus, a jewellery brand by Titan Industries in Mumbai on September 19, 2011.
Ratan Tata seen at the Jaguar stall at the Auto Expo 2012, in New Delhi on January 05, 2012. The Tata Group has scripted one of the most fabulous turnarounds in the auto industry and has been able to position the marquee British brands as formidable entities in the fiercely competitive global car market.
Ratan Tata being felicitated by Dr. Harshad Mangaldas Punjani while the Chief of and RSS Chief, Mohan Bhagwat applauds at an event organised by the Nana Palkar Smriti Samiti in Mumbai on August 24, 2018.
Tata first visited the RSS headquarters on December 28, 2016, his 79th birthday, while he was locked in a bitter boardroom battle with ousted Tata Group chairman Cyrus Mistry.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets Ratan Tata after his inaugural speech at 8th Global Summit in Gujarat on January 10, 2017. When Mr. Modi took over the rein in 2017, Ratan Tata was one of the business men to support the government. In 2015, Ratan Tata said, “there’s a great deal of hope in the inspirational leadership of Modi.”
Ratan Tata praying to Dwajasthambam at Tirumala temple on August 31, 2018
Indian industrialist Ratan Tata attends an event to receive a Doctor of Literature honorary title from the HSNC University in Mumbai on June 11, 2022. “The university believes that Ratan Tata reflects the philosophy of development, education and upliftment of all, which also resonates with the vision of HSNC University, Mumbai,” it said in a statement.
Ratan Tata’s love for pets, and particularly strays, extends far beyond the ones in the immediate vicinity of Bombay House. Legend has it that once Tata was moved to see a stray dog battling it out in the rain outside Bombay House, which led to the specific instruction on allowing full access to the premise for canines.
Industrialist Ratan Tata and Founder of Good Fellows Shantanu Naidu during the launch of India’s first companion start up for elders “Good fellows” at Taj President in Mumbai on August 16, 2022.
Policemen carry a coffin of the former chairman of Tata Group Ratan Tata before the funeral, in Mumbai on October 10, 2024.
The mortal remains of Ratan Tata arrived at the Worli crematorium after the final procession on October 10, 2024.
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On a personal note, I had the privilege of knowing him very closely over the years. We worked closely in Gujarat, where he invested extensively, including in many of the projects was very passionate about. Just a few weeks ago, I was in Vadodara with the President of the Government of Spain Pedro Sánchez, and we jointly inaugurated an aircraft complex where C-295 aircrafts would be made in India. It was Shri Ratan Tata who started working on this. Needless to say, Shri Ratan Tata’s presence was greatly missed.
I remember Shri Ratan Tata Ji as a man of letters—he would frequently write to me on various issues, be it matters of governance, expressing appreciation for government support, or sending congratulatory wishes after electoral victories.
Our close interactions continued when I moved to the Centre and he remained a committed partner in our nation-building efforts. Shri Ratan Tata’s support for the Swachh Bharat Mission was particularly close to my heart. He was a vocal advocate of this mass movement, understanding that cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation are vital for India’s progress. I still remember his heartfelt video message for the Swachh Bharat Mission’s tenth anniversary at the start of October. It was among his final public appearances.
Another cause close to his heart was healthcare and especially the fight against cancer. I recall the programme in Assam two years ago, where we had jointly inaugurated various cancer hospitals in the state. In his remarks that time, he had categorically stated that he wishes to dedicate his final years to healthcare. His efforts to make health and cancer care accessible and affordable were rooted in a profound empathy for those battling diseases, believing that a just society was one that stood by its most vulnerable.
As we remember him today, we are reminded of the society he envisioned—where business can serve as a force for good, where every individual’s potential is valued and where progress is measured in the well-being and happiness of all. He remains alive in the lives he touched and the dreams he nurtured. Generations will be grateful to him for making India a better, kinder and more hopeful place.
Paramilitary personnel stand guard during a raid conducted by Income Tax Officers in Ranchi. File photo for representational purpose only.
| Photo Credit: ANI
The Income Tax department is carrying out searches at multiple locations, including the premises of an aide of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, since Saturday (November 9, 2024) morning, an official said. The locations linked to Sunil Shrivastava, an advisor to the CM, are also being searched, they said.
The IT team arrived at the residence of Sunil Srivastava, Mr. Soren’s personal secretary, in Ranchi this morning, and the search operation is still underway, the official added.
A total of nine premises in state capital Ranchi and Jamshedpur are being raided in an operation that started early morning. A security team of the CRPF is assisting the I-T teams, the sources said.
According to reports, the raids are taking place at multiple locations across the State, including Jamshedpur.
The action is linked to recent investigations launched by the ED and the CBI over alleged illegal liquor trade and mining in the State, the sources said.
The state is scheduled to votes in two phase on November 13 and November 20
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh. File
| Photo Credit: ANI
The Congress on Saturday (November 9, 2024) asserted that a nationwide caste survey and the lifting of the Supreme Court’s “arbitrary ceiling” of 50% on reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes are central to its vision for the country.
Congress general secretary in-charge, communications, Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X that the party’s government in Telangana will begin its caste survey on Saturday (November 9, 2024).
He said 80,000 enumerators will be going door to door over the next few weeks, covering over 1.17 crore households across 33 districts.
“This is the first time a caste-based survey is being conducted by the government in Telangana since 1931,” Mr. Ramesh said.
“It is a historic, revolutionary moment — one that is a realisation of the Telangana Movement’s aspirations for the State and a fulfillment of one of the key ideals of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution,” the Congress general secretary said.
It is also, as Rahul Gandhi noted in Hyderabad earlier this week, “a blueprint for the national caste survey that the INDIA coalition’s government will conduct,” he said.
“This census and the lifting of the Supreme Court’s arbitrary ceiling of 50% on reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes are central to Congress’ vision for the country,” Mr. Ramesh said.
“We are committed to the idea of social, political and economic justice in India, as laid out in our Constitution and as envisioned by India’s founding fathers,” he asserted.
Mr. Gandhi, who attended a meeting organised by Telangana Congress on the caste survey on November 5, had said he was fully committed to ensuring the caste survey in Telangana.
