New Delhi – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday launched a sharp political attack on the Congress, seizing upon comments made by senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP P. Chidambaram about the fragile state of the opposition INDIA alliance.

Speaking at the launch of the book “Contesting Democratic Deficit” authored by Salman Khurshid and Mritunjay Singh Yadav, Chidambaram expressed doubt over the cohesion and future of the INDIA bloc, a coalition of opposition parties formed to counter the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

“The future [of the INDIA bloc] is not so bright,” Chidambaram said. “It shows at the seams that it is frayed.”

He added that while some still believe the alliance is intact, he remains uncertain and hopes “it can still be put together” with time. He noted that only Salman Khurshid, part of the bloc’s negotiating team, could provide clarity on the matter.

BJP Reacts Swiftly: ‘Even Rahul’s Aides Have Lost Faith’

Reacting to the remarks, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), asserting that even close aides of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi now recognize the party’s diminishing relevance.

“Congress Leader P Chidambaram predicts: ‘Opposition will not be intact in future, BJP is a formidable organisation’,” Bhandari wrote.
“Even Rahul Gandhi’s close aides know Congress has no future.”

The BJP has used the opportunity to question the stability and unity of the INDIA alliance, which was formed in 2023 with the aim of mounting a united challenge to the ruling BJP in the 2024 general elections.

Chidambaram Calls BJP a ‘Formidable Machinery’

In his address, Chidambaram acknowledged the strength of the BJP’s political apparatus, cautioning that the opposition must fight the party on “all fronts”.

His comments come amid growing speculation about disagreements and lack of coordination within the INDIA bloc following the general elections, in which the BJP retained a dominant position.

Alliance at a Crossroads

The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) brought together key opposition players including the Congress, Trinamool Congress, AAP, DMK, RJD, and others. However, internal rifts, policy disagreements, and regional ambitions have repeatedly challenged the coalition’s coherence.

With no formal post-election strategy announced yet, Chidambaram’s remarks have further intensified debates around the longevity and effectiveness of the alliance going forward.

Chandigarh – In a sweeping crackdown against the drug menace, Punjab Police on Thursday carried out a massive cordon and search operation across all 28 police districts of the state, targeting bus terminals and suspected drug smuggling hotspots under the ongoing ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ (War Against Drugs) campaign.

The drive, launched two-and-a-half months ago under the directive of Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, continues to gain momentum as law enforcement authorities seek to dismantle Punjab’s entrenched narcotics networks.

Statewide Operation Monitored at the Top

The latest phase of the operation was closely supervised by Special DGP (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla, who directed police commissioners and senior superintendents of police to deploy heavy police forces. All deployments were led by SP-rank officers to ensure tight security and effective enforcement.

Over 1,200 police personnel, organized into more than 200 teams, fanned out across the state to conduct raids and inspections at bus stands and surrounding areas. A total of 481 suspicious individuals were screened during the course of the day.

Raids and Arrests Surge as Campaign Progresses

In addition to the bus stand operation, Punjab Police conducted raids at 486 locations on Thursday alone, resulting in the arrest of 124 alleged drug smugglers and the registration of 83 FIRs, according to an official police statement.

Since the start of the campaign, a staggering 11,208 drug-related arrests have been made in just 75 days, reflecting the aggressive pace of the anti-drug push.

Thursday’s operations yielded significant seizures, including:

• 4.02 kg heroin
• 2.5 kg opium
• Rs 27,090 believed to be drug-related proceeds

Demolition of Drug Dens in Gurdaspur

In a dramatic move in Gurdaspur district, authorities used a bulldozer to demolish the illegally constructed homes of two alleged drug smugglers in Dida Sansia village. According to SSP Aaditya, the homes were built on encroached land owned by the Water Resource Department, and both accused have a history of criminal involvement.

Comprehensive Strategy to Eradicate Drugs

Special DGP Arpit Shukla reiterated Punjab Police’s commitment to the three-pronged ‘EDP’ strategy – Enforcement, De-addiction, and Prevention – being implemented in coordination with the state government.

“We will not relent until Punjab is free from the scourge of drugs,” Shukla affirmed.

As part of the de-addiction initiative, the police have also motivated 116 individuals to voluntarily undergo rehabilitation treatment, emphasizing the campaign’s humane and reformative approach in addition to strict law enforcement.

Looking Ahead

With the Yudh Nashian Virudh campaign continuing to make headlines, the Punjab Police have sent a strong signal to traffickers and peddlers alike — that drug crimes will be met with zero tolerance and swift justice.

The Indian National Congress on Thursday announced a series of nationwide events titled ‘Jai Hind Sabhas’, to be held from May 20 to 30 in 15 key locations across India. These meetings aim to honour the valour of the Indian Armed Forces while also raising serious questions on national security lapses and the government’s silence over the reported involvement of the United States in halting hostilities between India and Pakistan.

The initiative was announced by Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K. C. Venugopal, who posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter):

“Indian National Congress will hold ‘Jai Hind Sabhas’ across India to salute the supreme valour and success of our Armed Forces. We must also raise serious concerns about recent security lapses, the handling of national security, and the silence around the US involvement in our security matters.”

These public meetings will involve Army veterans, Congress leaders, and the general public, and will be held in Delhi, Barmer, Shimla, Haldwani, Patna, Jabalpur, Pune, Goa, Bengaluru, Kochi, Guwahati, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar, and Pathankot.

‘Operation Sindoor’ and Government Accountability

The announcement follows closely after the Congress party accused the BJP of politicising the recent military action, Operation Sindoor, and attempting to turn it into a branding exercise for electoral gains. Congress leaders argue that while the bravery belongs to the armed forces, the government is using their sacrifice for political mileage.

At a joint press conference held on Wednesday, senior Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera criticised the “PR-centric” approach of the BJP, calling for professionalism and institutional accountability in matters of national security.

CWC Resolution Slams Pahalgam Intelligence Failure

A Congress Working Committee (CWC) resolution passed during the same meeting expressed deep concern over the attack in Pahalgam, terming it an apparent intelligence failure.

“Despite known threats and rising tensions in the region, terrorists succeeded in executing a major attack, claiming precious lives,” the resolution stated.
“No accountability has been fixed yet, which is deeply troubling. The government must clarify why adequate preventive measures weren’t in place.”

The CWC also demanded the immediate apprehension and prosecution of those responsible for the attack.

Questions Over Ceasefire and US Involvement

The Congress further raised eyebrows over the abrupt cessation of India’s retaliatory military action against Pakistan, noting that the lack of official explanation has led to speculation nationwide. The issue was compounded, according to the party, by former US President Donald Trump’s claims of having mediated the ceasefire by allegedly using trade threats to pressure India.

“This revelation, if true, raises serious questions about national sovereignty and strategic autonomy,” the CWC said.
“The government’s refusal to comment on or deny these claims is inexplicable and unacceptable.”

“Security Cannot Be Managed by Optics Alone”

In closing, the CWC warned that national security must not be reduced to TV-friendly optics and urged the government to act with professional rigour and responsibility.

“Security demands vigilance, not visuals. It requires institutional readiness and transparency, not grandstanding,” said Ramesh.

The upcoming ‘Jai Hind Sabhas’ are expected to amplify these concerns and mobilize public support for greater accountability in national security affairs.

A political standoff unfolded on Thursday as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was stopped by police outside the Ambedkar Hostel in Darbhanga, where he was scheduled to engage with students under the Congress party’s ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvad’ initiative — a statewide public outreach program focusing on education rights and equity.

As the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha arrived at the gates of the hostel, his convoy was blocked from entering the premises by local authorities. The move sparked outrage among Congress supporters and leaders, who insisted that Gandhi’s interaction with students must proceed as planned.

Senior Bihar Congress leaders immediately confronted the security personnel at the venue, demanding access to the hostel and calling the action a deliberate attempt to stifle student voices and democratic engagement. The Ambedkar Hostel, known for housing students from marginalised communities, had been identified as a symbolic and significant location for Gandhi’s interaction.

The issue of venue permissions had already been a flashpoint in the lead-up to the event. On Wednesday night, the local administration denied permission for the interaction at Ambedkar Hostel but allowed an alternate venue — the Town Hall — only after the Congress strongly objected and alleged administrative bias.

However, Congress leaders remained firm in their stance. Earlier in the day, they declared that Rahul Gandhi’s meeting with students would happen at the original venue chosen by the party and not at the one imposed by the administration.

In a press conference held in Patna, senior Congress leader Abhay Dubey condemned the actions of the Darbhanga administration, alleging that it was acting under political pressure from the ruling JD(U)-BJP alliance. “The administration is trying to suppress the voice of deprived and marginalised students. Hundreds of students from nearby districts like Madhubani and Samastipur are being stopped from entering Darbhanga,” said Dubey. “But the government must realise that Rahul Gandhi represents the voice of India’s backward and oppressed sections.”

Dubey also mocked the administration’s justification that the Ambedkar Hostel was not mentioned in the original permission request, calling it a convenient excuse to disrupt the event.

The incident has drawn sharp criticism from across opposition parties and civil society, with many accusing the government of muzzling democratic expression and political outreach.

Despite the hurdles, Congress sources said Gandhi was determined to speak to the students, whether formally or informally, and reiterated that the party would not bow to pressure tactics aimed at silencing dissent or disrupting constitutional rights to public engagement.

India on Wednesday issued a strong rebuttal to China’s latest attempt to rename several locations in Arunachal Pradesh, calling the move “preposterous” and reaffirming that the northeastern state is an undeniable and inalienable part of India.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued the statement in response to China’s release of a new list of Chinese names for places within Arunachal Pradesh — a region that Beijing refers to as part of “South Tibet”, a claim that India has repeatedly and unequivocally rejected.

“We have noticed that China has persisted with its vain and preposterous attempts to name places in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh,” said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the MEA, while addressing media queries.

“Consistent with our principled position, we reject such attempts categorically. Creative naming will not alter the undeniable reality that Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India,” Jaiswal asserted.

Background of the Dispute

This is not the first time China has attempted to rename geographical areas in Arunachal Pradesh. Beijing has previously published similar lists under the guise of standardizing place names, an act widely seen by India and the global community as politically motivated and historically baseless.

China’s move comes amid continuing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and follows a series of infrastructural and strategic developments undertaken by both sides in the border areas. However, India maintains that its sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh is absolute and not subject to external dispute.

Diplomatic Reactions

India’s firm response is in line with its consistent diplomatic messaging over the years. Senior government officials and political leaders across party lines have long affirmed that no external party has any locus standi to rename Indian territory, and that such tactics are an affront to India’s territorial integrity.

In recent months, India has also increased infrastructure development and civilian outreach in the border state, sending a clear message that Arunachal Pradesh is not only integral to the Indian Union geographically but also emotionally and politically.

Global Perspective

While China’s assertions are part of its broader regional strategy, they have gained no international recognition, with most nations and global bodies acknowledging India’s administrative control and sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh.

As geopolitical tensions simmer in the region, experts suggest that India’s unwavering stance on Arunachal Pradesh is a signal of its strategic clarity and commitment to safeguarding national interests against expansionist narratives.