BJP National Spokesperson Shahzad Poonawalla Quits Party Citing Personal Reasons
BJP leader and national spokesperson Shahzad Poonawalla has abruptly resigned from the BJP, citing personal reasons. However, an official announcement on this matter has not yet been made. Poonawalla updated his bio on his social media account, X, without mentioning the BJP. He stated that an official statement regarding his resignation will be issued soon. His sudden resignation from the party has surprised political analysts. A day before his resignation, Shahzad Poonawalla shared an old interview in which he stated that he was considering a departure from active politics. He said, “I have been in active politics for about 18-19 years. I started at a very young age and have now reached the point I wanted to reach.” Poonawalla explained that he initially decided to leave politics after Prime Minister Modi secured a third consecutive term in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, he subsequently decided to remain active to help the BJP in key assembly elections, including in Delhi, Maharashtra, and West Bengal. He further stated that he now feels the time has come to move on from active political life. 38-year-old Shahzad Poonawalla is known as the BJP’s chief spokesperson. He began his political career with the Congress party. He served as vice-president of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) in Pune, a member of the All India Congress Committee’s media cell’s research team, and secretary of the Maharashtra Congress. However, in 2017, after questions arose about Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, he joined the BJP. He publicly challenged the presidential election within the Congress party, alleging that the election was rigged to make Rahul Gandhi president. He demanded a transparent and merit-based election and asked whether Rahul Gandhi would resign from his post and contest the election as an ordinary member of the party. This public rebellion led to his isolation within the Congress party, and he eventually left the party. During the 2017 Gujarat Assembly election campaign, PM Modi praised Shahzad Poonawalla for publicly exposing the lack of internal democracy within the Congress.
Chargesheet filed against 13 accused in the NEET paper leak case; Fast-track court judge to hear the matter…
Protests by youth at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar regarding the NEET paper leak, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the establishment of a fast-track court to ensure transparency and security of the exam. Following this, the CBI has filed a charge sheet against 13 accused in the NEET paper leak case in Delhi’s Rahul Avenue Court. Fast-track Court Judge Anu Grover Baliga will hear the charge sheet today, Wednesday, July 29th. Those named as accused in the CBI investigation include Yash Yadav, Mangilal Bival, Dinesh Bival, Vikas Bival, Shubham Khairnar, Dhananjay Lokhande, Prahlad Kulkarni, Tejas Harshad Kumar, Dr. Manoj Shirure, Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar, Manisha Bagmare, Manisha Mandhare, and Manisha Sanjay Havaldar. All of these accused are currently in judicial custody. The CBI registered an FIR against the accused under sections 315 (5), 318 (4), 61 (2), 238, and 303 (2) of the Indian Penal Code, sections 13 (2) and 13 (1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, and sections 10, 3, 4, 5, and 11 of the Public Examinations Act. The hearing in the NEET paper leak case was postponed on the very first day of the trial in the Fast Track Court, July 27th. Following this, Delhi High Court Chief Justice DK Vice-Chairman ordered the formation of a Fast Track Court and appointed Anu Grover Baliga as its judge. The Fast Track Court was established to hear cases related to crimes committed during public examinations. It will hear cases similar to those under the Core Public Examinations Act.
Assam Floods: PM Modi Reviews Situation with MPs; MLAs Donate One Month’s Salary for Relief
Assam, a significant state in India, is once again reeling under severe flooding. Heavy rains have caused the floods, affecting 524,000 people and claiming 68 lives so far. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a review meeting with state MPs amid the dire flood situation in Assam. Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on Twitter, “Met with the MPs of Assam and discussed the current flood situation in various parts of the state. The central government is working closely with the Assam government to assist those affected. I wish everyone safety and well-being.” Assam’s MLAs have also taken a significant decision in light of the dire flood situation. All MLAs, except those from the Raijor Dal, announced on Tuesday that they would donate one month’s salary for the relief and rehabilitation of flood victims in the state. Speaker Ranjit Kumar Das said that he and Deputy Speaker Habbe Teron would donate one month’s salary for flood relief. He announced, “Apart from us, all employees of the Assembly Secretariat will donate one day’s salary for the relief and rehabilitation of the victims.” Welcoming the initiative, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika said that all BJP MLAs would also donate one month’s salary. Sherman Ali Ahmed, the lone Trinamool Congress MLA in the state, also followed suit and announced a month’s salary for the flood-affected areas.
Environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk broke his fast, released a video message..
Environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a 26-day hunger strike demanding accountability in the NEET paper leak case and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, finally ended his fast today, July 24th. Sonam Wangchuk shared a photo from the hospital on Instagram, writing, “Just a short while ago, in the presence of Union Minister JP Nadda, Dr. Jitendra Singh, and senior leaders of the Leh-Ladakh Apex Body, I broke my fast after 26 days.” He said, “Earlier, 65 MPs from various political parties had come to meet me or written letters urging me to end my fast. This decision was taken after lengthy discussions on various conditions and in view of the potential for violence in the country.” “Until then, I appeal to all of you to remain vigilant to prevent any kind of violence anywhere.”Sonam Wangchuk, in a video message after breaking his hunger strike, said, “I have received written assurances from them. The ministers have assured me in writing that the government will take concrete steps to prevent paper leaks and that the families of students who committed suicide due to the leak will be adequately compensated.” Reacting to this development, Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijit Dipke wrote on Instagram, “We are relieved and happy that Sonam Sir has ended his hunger strike after 26 days. Thank you, Sir, for your extraordinary courage and sacrifice.
PM Modi makes a big announcement on NEET paper leak, sets up a fast track court
Recently, youth, in collaboration with the CJP, protested against the NEET paper leak controversy and the resignation of the Education Minister. Sonam Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike for the past 26 days. He began this hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on June 28th. Due to his deteriorating health, on July 18th, the Delhi Police forcibly admitted him to Medanta Hospital, which angered the youth gathered for the protest. On July 20th, the protest escalated and thousands of students marched towards Parliament. Following a confrontation with the police, the police used lathi charge and tear gas to stop the protesters, resulting in injuries and the detention of several students. After several days of protests, the central government appears to be on the back foot, with the opposition continuously pressuring the Modi government. PM Modi has taken a major decision on this issue today, Thursday, July 23rd. According to reports, PM Modi announced that the NEET paper leak case will be moved to a fast-track court, with the goal of securing swift punishment for those involved in the paper leak. He also ordered the relevant officials to begin work immediately. Prior to the launch of this facility, during the NDA’s “Mangal Milan” meeting on Tuesday, PM Narendra Modi stated that the future of the country’s youth is a priority for his government. He added that whatever decisions are required in this matter will be taken, and no student will be harmed. PM constituted FastTrack Court Posting on social media, Modi wrote, “Nothing is more important than the well-being and future of our youth. We have decided to establish a fast-track court to ensure swift and severe punishment for those involved in the paper leak. We have directed the relevant authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this regard. This continues our ongoing efforts to protect the interests of students. Those who attempt to harm the future of our youth will not be spared.” He also warned that it is the government’s responsibility to secure the future of the country’s youth, and that he will not back down from this. He also warned that those who dared to do this will face the harshest punishment. The Prime Minister described this decision as a relief for students, as millions of students across the country take the NEET exam every year.
PM Narendra Modi will flag off the first hydrogen train in Haryana….
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the country’s first hydrogen train from Jind on July 17th. He will also lay the foundation stone and inaugurate various development projects in the state. The BJP organization and the government have intensified preparations for the Prime Minister’s proposed visit. It is reported that at a district-level meeting held on Wednesday, July 8th, within the BJP’s Gohana district headquarters, preparations for the Prime Minister’s rally on July 17th were reviewed and responsibilities for party workers were determined. Meanwhile, District President Vijendra Malik says that the Prime Minister will gift Haryana with several development projects along with the country’s first hydrogen train. District Incharge Dr. Kiran Kalkal has also appealed to the workers to reach Jind in large numbers to make the program a success. Dr. Archana Gupta says that this is the world’s longest hydrogen train with 10 coaches, which Haryana has received, which is a matter of pride for Haryana. Being completely environmentally friendly, it has zero carbon emissions and only emits steam and water when the train is running. In the meeting held at the Public Works Department’s rest house, Cooperative, Prison and Tourism Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma also reviewed the preparations for the Prime Minister’s program and said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the country is moving rapidly towards a modern and environment-friendly transport system. The operation of the country’s first hydrogen train on the Jind-Gohana-Sonipat rail section is a new achievement in the history of Indian Railways and will also give special recognition to Haryana. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the four-lane highway from Ambala to Kala Amb and the medical colleges built in Bhiwani and Narnaul. He will lay the foundation stone of a grand historical museum to be built on 127 acres in Kurukshetra and will also inaugurate the elevated railway track completed in Kurukshetra. The state president also said that the Prime Minister is working on green energy, while the rally will mostly be attended by workers from Jind district, and a large number of workers are expected to reach there on foot and by bicycle, while women will come on scooters. Dr. Arvind Sharma appealed to the BJP office-bearers and workers to make extensive preparations to reach Jind on July 17, and also reviewed the SIR campaign going on in the assembly constituency in the meeting. He also gave instructions to add the names of new citizens to the voter list, correct errors and expedite the response of necessary documents, due to which other office-bearers including Dr. Rita Sharma, Mandal President Praveen Khurana, Arun Badok, Sumit Kakkar and Harkesh Sarpanch were also present in the meeting.
PM Modi Awarded Indonesia’s Highest Honour ‘Bintang Adipurna’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on an official state visit to Indonesia from July 6 to July 8, 2026. Upon his arrival in Jakarta, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto accorded Prime Minister Narendra Modi a warm welcome. During this visit, the two countries agreed on a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), which included a digital payment agreement between India’s UPI and Indonesia’s QRIS. This will make payments much easier, faster, and cheaper for millions of Indian tourists visiting Bali and other Indonesian tourist destinations. Indian businesses doing business with Indonesia will also benefit. Important discussions were also held on defense relations and cultural exchanges. The two leaders also held detailed discussions on strengthening bilateral defense cooperation and increasing trade in critical minerals. It is worth noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded Indonesia’s highest civilian honor, the “Bintang Adipurna of the Republic.”
PM Modi to Hold Key Bilateral Talks During Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand Visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a visit to three countries—Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand—from July 6 to July 11. During this tour, he will participate in business and sports-related events as well as CEO forums. Notably, he will become the first Indian Prime Minister to visit New Zealand in 40 years. Throughout the tour, the Prime Minister will hold bilateral talks with the leaders of these nations, meet with prominent business figures, and address the Indian diaspora. During the Indonesia leg of the trip, PM Modi will visit a temple complex; in Australia, he will attend the India-Australia CEO Forum; and in New Zealand, he will meet with personalities from the business and sports worlds. As mentioned, this marks the first state visit by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in nearly four decades.
Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi Begins Landmark India Visit, Holds Summit Talks with Modi
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrived in India on Wednesday for a three-day visit from July 1 to 3. This is her first visit to India since becoming Prime Minister. During this visit, she will participate in the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two sides will also review and strengthen the scope of mutual cooperation, and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual benefit. The Japanese Prime Minister was given a grand welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday, June 2, and received a guard of honor. Takaichi told reporters in Tokyo on Wednesday, “Through this visit, I hope to advance concrete cooperation with Prime Minister Modi in three key areas: deepening the Japan-India strategic partnership in light of the current international situation, promoting cooperation in economic security, and strengthening cooperation between the businesses of our two countries in investment and innovation.” Japan-India Join Economic Forum The Japan-India Join Economic Forum will be held on the occasion of this visit, in which representatives of more than 150 Japanese companies and business organizations will participate. He said that by working together with the private sector, I hope that the scope of Japan-India cooperation will expand and a stronger economy will emerge. Takaichi said that India and Japan have the responsibility of maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. He said that he is looking forward to discussing with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on efforts to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific. India, along with Japan, is one of the leading democracies in Asia and shares the responsibility of maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Trump Set to Visit India in Early 2027 as US-India Trade Deal Nears Finalization: Rubio
US President Donald Trump may visit India next year, in early 2027. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced this on Saturday. The Secretary of State stated that the US administration is preparing for President Trump’s visit to India in early 2027. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the India-US trade deal is expected to be finalized very soon. President Trump will visit India early next year. He is traveling to India to finalize the President’s visit. He also stated that President Trump and PM Modi have a very good relationship. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India’s economic gains and emergence as a global power, saying that the United States is a big fan of him. Rubio also stated that the India-US trade deal is in the final stages of completion. Relations between Trump and Modi are going very well after the positive G7 meeting, and he is planning to visit India before the end of the year to prepare for President Donald Trump’s possible visit early next year.