South First

16/04/2026

: While speaking about the Constitutional Amendment Bill and the two related laws on delimitation in , Union Home Minister said that ’s seats will increase from 28 to 42 (after the passage of the Bill).

"In Karnataka, out of the current strength of 543 seats in the Lok Sabha, there are 28 seats, which is about 5.15 per cent of the total representation,” he said.

After the passage of the Bill, in a House of 816 members, its share will be around 5.14 per cent, he added. "So, there will be no real loss to Karnataka,” he claimed.

He gave a similar breakdown for other South Indian states as well.

16/04/2026

‘No injustice will be done to any state’: PM Modi assures fair delimitation process

Session began with a heated exchange, after which the Opposition demanded a division of votes before the Constitutional Bill’s introduction.

16/04/2026

Telangana caste survey: Dalits nearly four times more likely to avail loans for medical treatment than upper castes

The Expert Working Group recommended a shift in how the state delivers financial protection, moving away from population-share models toward what the report calls a "social justice 2.0" framework.

16/04/2026

Just as BJP was making careful inroads into ’s belt, a father-son duo triggered a storm. And now threaten to undo months of outreach in central Travancore.

The remarks by PC George and Shone George have left the BJP navigating an uncomfortable phase in its outreach to the Christian community.

16/04/2026

Delimitation bill sparks clash in Parliament, opposition pushes back

Congress leader K. C. Venugopal strongly opposed the proposed delimitation bill in the Lok Sabha, calling it a threat to India’s federal structure. He said the move undermines protections introduced during the tenures of Indira Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Venugopal questioned why women’s reservation, already passed by Parliament, was not implemented in the 2024 elections. He also raised concerns about the government’s intent behind linking delimitation with reservation.

Congress leader K. C. Venugopal strongly opposed the proposed delimitation bill in the Lok Sabha, calling it a threat to India’s federal structure. He said t...

16/04/2026

: Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the CBI in the Special Court of the People's Representatives in Bengaluru, on Thursday sought life imprisonment without parole for convicts in BJP leader Yogesh Gowda murder case, including Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni.

"The victim was brutally murdered by pouring salt powder in his eyes and not allowing him to escape. This is a rare case, and the conspiracy was exposed after the CBI started an investigation. Police officers and the entire system were misused. The judiciary should be taken seriously and the maximum punishment should be given," he demanded.

Appearing before the court, Kulkarni pleaded that he has been in politics for 27 years and has never “wronged anyone”.

"I have three children, and they are married. I have been an MLA three times. I have contested and lost in the parliamentary elections twice. I have been a minister once. I should be given a lesser sentence,” he said.

Judge Santosh Gajanan Bhatt heard the arguments of the convicts in the case who were pleading for a lesser sentence. He said he would announce the sentence verdict tomorrow.

16/04/2026

Congress urges caution on Kerala CM debate

Sudhakaran revealed that Venugopal has expressed a desire to return to active politics in Kerala and take up a leadership role in the state.

16/04/2026

: Mariner stranded in amid conflict, Family seeks urgent govt help

Jerin George, a native of Haripad in has been stranded aboard an Iranian vessel following the escalation of hostilities in West Asia earlier this year, with his return to India delayed indefinitely due to the prevailing security situation.

George had left his hometown around eight months ago to work on the ship and was expected to return by early March.

However, the situation changed after the outbreak of conflict in February, which disrupted maritime routes and operations across the region. As tensions intensified, the vessel he was working on was forced to remain within Iranian waters, preventing crew members from disembarking or securing passage back home.

Since then, George has remained confined to the ship without a clear timeline for return. His family has been able to maintain only limited communication with him through occasional phone calls, as internet connectivity onboard does not support video calls.

According to his family, essential supplies, including food are limited on the vessel.

In an effort to secure his return, the family has approached political representatives seeking intervention. Written appeals have been submitted to senior Congress leaders K. C Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala requesting that the matter be taken up with the central government.

The family has sought coordinated diplomatic action to facilitate George's repatriation, as the ongoing conflict continues to affect maritime movement and safety in the region.

16/04/2026

on Thursday criticised the proposed saying it appears to undo protections put in place during the tenures of Indira Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, referring to the earlier freezes on constituency delimitation in 1976 and 2001.

Speaking in the during the three-day session, Venugopal reiterated the party's demand that the Bill on redrawing constituencies be withdrawn.

He also raised objections to related proposals, including changes linked to women's reservation and the formation of a delimitation panel.

Calling the move a serious threat to India's federal structure, he questioned the governments intent. He pointed out that Parliament had already passed a law guaranteeing 33 per cent reservation for women and asked why it was not implemented in the 2024 elections.

He also noted that the Centre itself had introduced the women's reservation Bill in 2023, but was now backtracking.

Responding to these remarks, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Venugopal should limit his comments to procedural objections at this stage and not debate the merits of the Bill before it is formally introduced.

He added that the government would respond in detail during the discussion.

After a meeting of bloc leaders, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the Opposition would resist any attempt to push through delimitation measures under the cover of women's reservation.

Opposition parties had already indicated a day earlier that they would vote against provisions related to delimitation in the Constitution amendment Bill. Some leaders described the move as a strategy aimed at helping the ruling party secure a majority.

Kharge reiterated that while the Opposition fully supports womens reservation, it wants the earlier amendment to be implemented first. He accused the government of using delimitation as a political tool and said all Opposition parties had collectively decided to oppose the Bill.

16/04/2026

: urges caution on CM debate

general secretary on Thursday gave a calm response to remarks by K. Sudhakaran on the party's chief ministerial candidate, saying leaders are free to express their views but should avoid airing such matters publicly. He emphasised that the CM post should not become a subject of public debate and must be decided internally after the election results on May 4.

Speaking in New Delhi, Venugopal steered attention to national issues, particularly delimitation calling it a matter that affects the core of India's democracy.

He expressed disinterest in discussing internal Congress matters at a time when more serious national concerns are at stake. He reiterated that the party has an established system and leadership structure where decisions are taken collectively and maintained that leaders remain calm and united.

Responding to criticism, Venugopal said he has long been labelled a zero by sections of the media but is unfazed, adding that such opinions do not matter and people should wait for the election outcome.

He also dismissed earlier claims of internal turmoil in the Kerala Congress unit before the polls, noting that neither candidate selection nor other processes led to any disruption.

KPCC president Sunny Joseph echoed a similar stand, urging senior leaders to refrain from speculating about the CM candidate.

He said the party follows a clear process to choose its chief minister if it comes to power, with the high command taking the final call after results are declared.

He also criticised what he described as fake campaigns on social media that have fuelled unnecessary debate over the issue and said leaders should share their opinions through proper internal forums.

The discussion gained momentum after Sudhakaran praised Venugopal's organisational strength and growing influence in a Facebook post, comparing him to senior Congress figures such as K. Karunakaran, A. K Antony, Oommen Chandy and Vayalar Ravi who shaped Kerala's political trajectory. The remarks triggered speculation over the party's CM face, although Sudhakaran had earlier backed Ramesh Chennithala for the post and had also shown interest in contesting the Assembly elections before reportedly being advised against it by the central leadership.

16/04/2026

: A 38 year-old man was lynched to death after a dispute outside a bar in late on Wednesday night. The victim, Suman a native of was allegedly attacked by a group following an argument.

According to Vizhinjam police, four persons- Achu, Ananthu, Sooryajith and Lalukrishnan have been taken into custody in connection with the incident.

Police said the accused and Suman had been drinking at the same bar. The argument reportedly began after they stepped outside around midnight and quickly turned violent.

Suman was pushed onto the road and brutally assaulted with the attackers targeting his head and chest.

Video footage that has surfaced shows one of the accused kicking Suman while he lay on the ground, while another repeatedly punched him in the face.

In the background, an unidentified person can be heard asking them to stop. One of the attackers is heard saying there was "no blood on his head" while another allegedly urged others to kill him.

A passerby later took Suman to a nearby hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival.

Police said the exact reason behind the attack will become clear only after detailed questioning of the accused.

16/04/2026

DMK Alliance Protests Across Tamil Nadu, Burns Copies of Women’s Reservation Bill

Across Tamil Nadu, parties allied with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) staged coordinated protests against the Women’s Reservation Bill linked to delimitation, recently tabled in Parliament. Demonstrators burned copies of the bill to express their opposition.

DMK Alliance protests across Tamil Nadu, burns copies of Women’s Reservation Bill