Congress asks PM Modi to end silence on NEET-UG leak, CBSE OSM row, act against Pradhan
Kanhaiya Kumar asked why PM Modi, who hosts ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’, stayed silent on paper leaks and questioned the appointment of an unqualified person as education minister. The Congress on Wednesday intensified its attack on the government over examination paper leaks, asking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to end his silence, act against what it called “incompetent” Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and bring in strict laws with zero tolerance for paper leaks. Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar criticised the government over the NEET-UG paper leak and subsequent cancellation, as well as the controversy surrounding the CBSE’s On-Screen Marking (OSM) system, alleging that it was unable to conduct even a single examination properly. “The responsibility to conduct all important exams has been handed over to the NTA, on which questions are raised repeatedly,” Kumar said at a press conference in Delhi. A probe into the background of NTA Director Abhishek Singh would reveal how close he is to those in power and what political connections he has with people in the government, Kumar alleged. Kumar asked why such officials were appointed to key positions for political gains and why no action was taken against them after failure. “Narendra Modi, by shattering the dreams of the country’s youth, is selling them the spectacle of a developed India. What is happening in the country may be comedy for the government, but for children, it is a matter of life and death,” he said. How tragic it is that the Modi government can’t even conduct a single exam properly, Kumar said. The situation is such that when a 17-year-old student raised a plea about issues related to the CBSE, some journalists who have no spine labelled him a traitor, the Congress’ NSUI in-charge said. “The same prime minister who holds ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ before exams doesn’t utter a single word when there is a paper leak. First, reports of the NEET paper leak started surfacing, and then the CBSE issue came to light. What compulsion does Narendra Modi have that he appointed an unqualified person as the education minister?” Kumar said. He said the NSUI and the Indian Youth Congress have been continuously questioning the paper leaks, while the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is also consistently raising this issue. “Our demands are that the prime minister should break his silence and take action against the incompetent education minister. Strict laws should be enacted to stop paper leaks with zero tolerance,” he said. “When will the failed education minister be removed from his post. NTA is unable to conduct exams properly; this responsibility should be taken away from them. We want to tell the students that we stand with them, we will continue to fight their battle,” Kumar said. Kumar said the party was assisting NEET aspirants and would continue supporting students in the future as well, asserting that they should not have to risk their lives because of someone else’s failure. “CBSE affected students, who are facing difficulty in getting their answer sheets, or if there is any discrepancy in them, we have issued a number for them, 9268030030. Students can register their complaints and we will provide them full assistance,” the Congress leader said. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Supreme Court backs 28 per cent GST levy on online gaming
According to the apex court, the GST demands raised by the tax department from these gaming companies under the law cannot be struck down solely by challenging the rules framed under the legislation In a major blow to the online gaming industry, the Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the government’s retrospective levy of 28% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on these firms, thereby validating tax demands running into nearly Rs 2.5 lakh crore. With this verdict, the tax liability on the gaming platforms is likely to go up significantly, as the firms batted for GST to be applicable only on gross gaming revenue (GGR)—the commission retained by the platform — at 18%, instead of the entire pooled stake amount at 28%. As per the verdict of the court, online gaming platforms involving monetary stakes cannot be treated merely as intermediaries or facilitators, as they qualify as betting and gambling under the GST framework and thus cannot escape taxation. The court also gave the verdict in favour of the tax department validating Rule 31A of the Central GST Rules, which permits taxation on the full face value of bets placed, rather than just the platform fee or commission earned by gaming companies. “This decision is retroactive, meaning it could have an impact for the period even before 2023, when the law was amended. As a result, the gaming industry now faces substantial challenges, including significant past tax liabilities along with interest and penalty and the prospect of paying GST at 40% from September 2025. One will also need to consider the impact on other laws, which govern betting and gambling activities, which are prohibited in many states,” said Nitin Vijaivergia, Partner, Price Waterhouse & Co LLP. Industry executives and tax experts warned that the ruling could reshape India’s online gaming ecosystem, triggering consolidation and forcing firms to overhaul business models. Sivakumar Ramjee, executive director-indirect tax at Nangia Global said: “With reported tax exposure across the sector estimated at over Rs 1 lakh crore, this is no longer merely a litigation issue, it is a balance-sheet event.” Major gaming firms such as Gameskraft, Dream11, Mobile Premier League, Games24x7 and Delta Corp are likely face immediate pressure from ongoing tax disputes, higher compliance costs and investor scrutiny. For instance, the GST Intelligence Wing has served a show cause notice (SCN) of Rs 21,000 crore on Bengaluru-based online gaming company Gameskraft Technology last year. The court also made broader constitutional observations affirming the powers of states to regulate or prohibit online gaming activities in public interest, a signal that could encourage tighter state-level restrictions on real-money gaming platforms. Sudipta Bhattacharjee, partner at Khaitan & Co, said the GST ruling flowed from the court’s parallel judgment upholding state laws restricting online money gaming in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. However, Bhattacharjee cautioned that recovery of such massive tax dues may prove difficult because many gaming firms have already shut operations or pivoted to other businesses after regulatory tightening. He said: “It would be ideal if the government invokes its powers under Section 11A of the CGST Act to grant exemption and regularize the generally prevalent GST position adopted by everyone in this sector till September 2023.” Pushpita Dey Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
TN CM Vijay unlikely to meet Sonia, Rahul in Delhi; set to return to Chennai
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is unlikely to meet senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi during his Delhi visit on Thursday, with party sources indicating that no appointment has been scheduled. The Chief Minister is expected to conclude his maiden official visit to the national capital after assuming office earlier this month and return to Chennai by a special flight. Airport sources said Vijay is likely to arrive in Chennai at approximately 12.40 pm. Vijay’s Delhi trip gained significance after his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, during which he raised a range of Tamil Nadu-specific concerns, including the contentious Mekedatu dam project, the arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, and the row surrounding Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu, the state invocation song. According to an official release, the Chief Minister urged the Centre to prevent Karnataka from proceeding with the proposed Mekedatu reservoir project across the Cauvery river, arguing that it runs counter to the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and Supreme Court rulings. He also sought immediate intervention to secure the release of detained fishermen and their boats. Vijay reportedly requested the Prime Minister to issue clear directions permitting Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu to be sung at the beginning of government functions, amid an ongoing political debate over the issue. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Siddaramaiah informs cabinet colleagues of his decision to step down as Karnataka Chief Minister
Amid growing speculation over a leadership change in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, informed his cabinet colleagues of his decision to step down during the breakfast meeting hosted at his official residence on Thursday. His current deputy and possible successor, D K Shivakumar and other cabinet colleagues attended the breakfast meeting. “Congress high command proposed DKS as the next chief minister.I have agreed to this,” he said. Siddaramaiah is likely to formally tender his resignation at 2: 30 Pm. Photos shared by the Chief Minister’s Office showed Siddaramaiah embracing Shivakumar. In another image, Shivakumar was seen seeking Siddaramaiah’s blessings by touching his feet. Ministers including Priyank Kharge, KJ George, MB Patil, Ramalinga Reddy and HK Patil also attended the meeting at the Chief Minister’s residence under heightened security arrangements. According to CMO sources, the CM sought the Governor’s appointment after the party high command apparently asked him to make way for a leadership change in the state. However, Lok Bhavan sources said Siddaramaiah has not yet sought time to meet Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, who he has left for his native, Indore, for personal reasons. Discussions over a possible transition have periodically surfaced since the Congress government crossed the halfway mark of its tenure in Karnataka. The Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge, had held several hours of discussions with Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, both jointly and separately in Delhi recently. While some reports claim the Congress high command may be leaning towards a change and has conveyed its position to Siddaramaiah, the party has publicly rejected such suggestions. Meanwhile, the Karnataka State Federation of Backward Class Communities warned the Congress and its high command that the party will face consequences if Siddaramaiah is replaced. Asserting that Congress came to power because of the support of backward class and AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits) communities, federation leaders said there is no other leader of Siddaramaiah’s stature in the Congress party, and warned of agitation if he is made to step down. Shivakumar camp was jubilant, and his supporters broke into celebrations on Wednesday in many parts of the state, including Bengaluru and Ramanagara, amid reports that their leader was all set to become the next CM. Supporters of Siddaramaiah gathered outside his official residence, protesting amid intense speculation that he might step down. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Vijayan calls ED raids ‘targeted crackdown’ on Opposition, says Rahul may get ‘mental satisfaction’
Former Kerala CM alleged that the BJP has been using central agencies against opposition leaders since it came to power and claimed the action against him was also part of that strategy. Former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday alleged that Enforcement Directorate (ED) searches at his residence were part of a “targeted crackdown” on opposition leaders across the country. He also claimed the searches may provide “mental satisfaction” to leaders like Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader had repeatedly questioned why his residence had not been searched and why he had not been arrested. Speaking to reporters after ED officials concluded hours-long searches at his rented house in Bakery Junction in connection with the alleged CMRL monthly payment case, Vijayan said the action would not weaken him or the CPI(M). “This is only a beginning. Nobody should harbour the illusion that such actions can intimidate or weaken us,” he said. The veteran CPI(M) leader alleged that the BJP-led Centre has been using central agencies against opposition leaders since it came to power, and claimed the action against him was also part of that strategy. Claiming that opposition leaders across the country were facing similar action from central agencies, Vijayan alleged that the Congress was maintaining silence over ED proceedings against leaders of other parties. The ED action is linked to allegations that Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) paid Rs 1.72 crore to Exalogic Solutions, owned by Vijayan’s daughter T Veena, between 2018 and 2019, without receiving any services in return. Officials said searches were being conducted at around 10 premises across Kerala under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The searches came a day after the Kerala High Court dismissed a plea by CMRL seeking to quash the ED proceedings in the case. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
CM Siddaramaiah convenes Cabinet breakfast amid speculation over Karnataka leadership change
Meeting comes after Delhi talks with Congress leadership and reports of a possible transition in Karnataka. Amid mounting speculation over a possible leadership change in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is likely to convene a breakfast meeting of his Cabinet colleagues at his official residence in Bengaluru on Thursday morning, official sources said. The meeting assumes significance amid reports that Siddaramaiah could step down from the Chief Minister’s post, paving the way for Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to take over. Shivakumar reportedly altered his travel plans and is expected to return early from Delhi on Thursday morning to attend the meeting. He had earlier been scheduled to return to Bengaluru on Wednesday afternoon. Speculation over a leadership transition gathered pace following reports that the Congress high command had urged a change in leadership in the State and offered Mr. Siddaramaiah a role at the Centre in the party organisation along with a Rajya Sabha berth. Reports suggested that the Chief Minister had not immediately accepted the proposal. According to sources, Siddaramaiah may have decided to step down after receiving a message directly from Rahul Gandhi. The Chief Minister had repeatedly stated that he would relinquish office if asked to do so by the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. However, the Congress on Tuesday dismissed reports of a leadership change as “mere speculation” and maintained that discussions between the party’s central and State leadership in Delhi had focused solely on the upcoming Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar had been summoned to Delhi on Tuesday, where they participated in a series of meetings at the Congress headquarters with Mallikarjun Kharge, KC Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala. The Chief Minister returned to Bengaluru late on Tuesday night along with some Cabinet colleagues and is learnt to have held closed-door meetings with Ministers after his arrival. Siddaramaiah is scheduled to attend events in Bengaluru on Wednesday to mark the death anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, including a programme at the State Congress office and a tribute at his statue near Vidhana Soudha. No other official engagements are listed in his schedule for the day. There are also reports that Venugopal and Surjewala may travel to Bengaluru shortly. Supporters of Shivakumar have renewed demands for his elevation, citing a reported power-sharing arrangement reached after the Congress secured victory in the 2023 Assembly elections. The leadership question within the ruling party has intensified since the government crossed the halfway mark of its five-year term in November 2025. Following the Congress victory in May 2023, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were contenders for the Chief Minister’s post before the party leadership named the former as Chief Minister and the latter as Deputy Chief Minister. Though reports at the time suggested a “rotational chief minister formula” under which Shivakumar would assume office after two-and-a-half years, the arrangement has never been officially confirmed by the party. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Jana Nayagan’ in capital to meet PM Modi, FM Sitaraman today
Vijay is scheduled to meet PM Narendra Modi at 4.30 pm to discuss a range of issues concerning the state. NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay will come to New Delhi on Wednesday in his first trip to the national capital since assuming office earlier this month. Vijay is scheduled to meet PM Narendra Modi at 4.30 pm to discuss a range of issues concerning the state. During the meeting, Vijay is likely to submit a memorandum outlining the state’s demands, including allocation of funds for welfare and infrastructure projects, clearances for developmental initiatives, the Mekedatu issue and implementation of PM Shri scheme. He is also likely to meet Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and seek financial support for ongoing projects and key inter-state issues affecting the state. Vijay is also expected to meet Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. According to the tentative schedule, the CM will return to Chennai on May 28. Vijay, founder of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), took oath as CM on May 10 after leading his party to victory in the TN polls held on April 23. Satheesan meets Modi in Delhi, seeks package Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Karnataka power tussle: Siddaramaiah agrees to quit
Siddaramaiah seeks Governor’s appointment at 2 pm on Thursday, calls CLP meeting the following day; no clarity yet on successor though Deputy CM Shivakumar is the front-runner. NEW DELHI/BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah late on Tuesday night agreed to step down, confirmed sources privy to the marathon meetings held earlier in the day in New Delhi. Although Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar is the front-runner for the CM’s post, no decision has been taken on who would succeed him nor on when Siddaramaiah would tender his resignation as chief minister. But sources said Siddaramaiah has sought time to meet Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot at Lok Bhavan on May 28 at 2 pm, and called for the Congress Legislature Party the following day. AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal and AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, are scheduled to arrive in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Sources informed this newspaper that senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asked Siddaramaiah to step down to resolve the prolonged tussle between him and Shivakumar. They said the CM agreed after a late evening huddle with MLAs supporting him. Shivakumar had been insisting that the high command hand over the CM’s post to him, based on an agreement of sharing two-and-a-half years that he is said to have struck with Siddaramaiah after the party came to power in the 2023 Assembly polls. The half-way mark arrived in November last year, but Siddaramaiah refused to yield. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were summoned to Delhi on Monday, where Rahul is said to have told the CM that the party wanted the transition to take place smoothly. However, Siddaramaiah sought time to respond to the high command’s suggestion that he move to the Rajya Sabha to play a “larger role” at the national level, according to sources. After marathon meetings — from 11.35 am to 6 pm — a visibly upset Siddaramaiah huddled with his coterie of cabinet colleagues at Karnataka Energy Minister K J George’s New Delhi residence and conveyed the message of the high command to them. He agreed to step down after this meeting, sources said. No wonder, Shivakumar and his supporters looked upbeat. Siddaramaiah was carrying a letter of support by 100 party MLAs (Congress has 134 of 224 seats in the assembly) to convince the high command about his support. Sources said he will hold a meeting with all these MLAs at George’s Bengaluru residence on Wednesday. The day saw a series of meetings attended by Rahul, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Venugopal and Surjewala. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were consulted separately at the party headquarters. Following the discussions, Rahul and Venugopal are said to have briefed senior leader Sonia Gandhi on the meetings, before having a closed-door meeting with Siddaramaiah where he offered the latter a larger role at the national level, while asking him to step down as CM. For the record, Venugopal dismissed all talk on change in leadership as mere speculation. Asked if there was any discussion on leadership change, Siddaramaiah, too, said “No”. On a possible cabinet reshuffle, the CM said, “It did not come up for discussion.” If not DKS: Who’s in race “The Congress high command could go in for a complete makeover of the party in the state and appoint a young, dynamic leader with a clean image to lead the party in the 2028 assembly elections,” sources said Byre Gowda: Chart topper The name of Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda is on the top, besides Minister for Large & Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development MB Patil. Both have a clean image and are known for their good work Preetha Nair, Bala Chauhan, Naushad Bijapur, Devaraj B Hirehalli Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
TN CM Vijay to visit Delhi tomorrow; likely to meet PM, Congress leaders
The Tamil Nadu chief minister is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at around 4.30 pm and is also expected to meet Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay will visit New Delhi on Wednesday. This will be his first visit to the national capital after becoming the CM. He is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at around 4.30 pm. During the meeting, the Chief Minister is expected to submit a detailed memorandum on Tamil Nadu’s requirements, including allocation of funds for various schemes, pending clearances for developmental projects, the Mekedatu issue, and the PM Shri scheme, among others. The Chief Minister is also likely to meet Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. According to the tentative schedule, he is expected to return to Chennai on May 28. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Congress dismisses Karnataka leadership change buzz after high-level Delhi meeting
Senior leaders insist Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council polls were the only issues discussed during the high level Delhi meeting attended by Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar. NEW DELHI: The Congress on Tuesday dismissed speculation over a possible leadership change in Karnataka, asserting that discussions between the party’s central leadership and state leaders were focused solely on the upcoming Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections. The issue gained attention amid the continuing leadership tussle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar, both of whom were summoned to Delhi along with supporting MLAs, triggering speculation over a possible power sharing arrangement in the state. Though Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had convened a meeting to decide party candidates for the two elections, the point of interest remained the protracted leadership tussle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar, who were summoned to Delhi, and whether there would be any resolution. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar had arrived in the national capital accompanied by the MLAs supporting them. At the core of the leadership tangle in the southern state is Shivakumar’s demand that he be elevated to the chief minister’s post in accordance with a “promise” which his supporters claim was made to him during state assembly elections in 2023. The Congress’s central leadership held deliberations for several hours with its Karnataka state leaders, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, who is also the state party chief, at the Indira Bhawan headquarters. The party leaders, however, insisted that the issue of any leadership change was not discussed at the meeting attended by Congress president Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, AICC general secretary, Organisation, K C Venugopal and AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Surjewala, among others. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, left, with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar at Indira Bhavan ahead of consultations with the Congress leadership. “Today, the entire discussion was only concentrated on the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections and (Legislative) Council elections of Karnataka. Whatever speculation you people are doing, that is only speculation, no reality at all. Today we discussed about the Rajya Sabha seats and the Council seats of Karnataka,” Venugopal told the media after the meeting. He was flanked by Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. He said the candidates of the Rajya Sabha and Council seats of Karnataka will be announced along with the other seats like Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. “This is what we have decided today, and nothing else was discussed,” he asserted. Asked about any leadership change, Siddaramaiah also said, “It is only a speculation”. Asked if there was any discussion on leadership change, he replied emphatically with “No”. On a possible cabinet reshuffle, the chief minister said, “It did not come up for discussion. Of the four Rajya Sabha seats getting vacant in Karnataka, the Congress can win three seats and the BJP one. Kharge’s Rajya Sabha seat is getting vacant in June and he is likely to be re-elected from Karnataka.” The party may also field Shivakumar’s brother D K Suresh as one of the Rajya Sabha candidates, as well as a woman or an OBC nominee. Suresh has been a former Rajya Sabha member from the state. Besides, the Congress leaders are also learnt to have discussed the party candidates for the legislative council seats. The Congress is likely to get four seats in the legislative council out of the seven vacancies, going by its present strength in the state assembly. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights