Atishi Calls Out BJP Over Unfulfilled ₹2,500 Promise to Delhi Women 2
Leader of Opposition Atishi has accused the BJP of failing to fulfill its pre-election promise of providing ₹2,500 per month to women in Delhi. In a video posted on X, she reminded Prime Minister Narendra Modi of his commitment, stating that women across the capital are still waiting for the promised funds to be credited to their bank accounts.
“During the election campaign, PM Modi had assured ₹2,500 for all women by March 8. That money has yet to arrive,” Atishi remarked. The Mahila Samriddhi Yojana, a key pledge in the BJP’s manifesto during the Delhi Assembly elections, was intended to provide financial aid to women in the national capital.
On International Women’s Day, Atishi took a dig at the BJP, saying, “Today, all the women of Delhi are staring at their phones, waiting for a message confirming the deposit.” She further urged the Prime Minister to honor his commitment, cautioning that failure to do so would prove it was nothing more than a “jhumla” (false promise).
Mumbai's Metro Expansion: Most Lines to Be Operational by 2027, Confirms CM Fadnavis 4
Most of the ambitious 374-km Metro network under development in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) is set to be operational by 2027, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis informed the Legislative Assembly on Friday. Providing a timeline for key projects, he announced that Metro 3 would be fully operational up to Cuffe Parade by June, while Metro 4A (Kasarvadavali to Gaimukh) and part of Metro 4 (Kasarvadavali to Cadbury), along with Metro 7A (Dahisar to Mira Road), would be completed by the end of this year.
Speaking in response to a congratulatory motion on Governor CP Radhakrishnan’s address, Fadnavis stated that most Metro lines launched between 2014 and 2019 were nearing completion. The second phase of Metro 2B, between DN Nagar and Mandale, is slated for completion by October 2026.
Providing further updates, he revealed that Metro 3 is 95% complete, with security trials already conducted. Metro 4 has reached 79% completion, and the section between Cadbury Junction and Gandhi Nagar is expected to be operational by December 2026, following the Kasarvadavali-Cadbury phase launch later this year. Additionally, the first phase of Thane Metro (Thane to Bhiwandi) is 80% complete. Authorities have decided to make the second phase (Bhiwandi to Kalyan) underground due to heavy rehabilitation requirements along a 5-km stretch.
Metro 9, connecting Andheri to the International Airport, is currently 55% complete and is projected to be operational by December 2026. With these timelines in place, Mumbai’s Metro expansion is set to transform the region’s connectivity, offering much-needed relief from traffic congestion and boosting urban mobility.
Israeli Tourist and Homestay Operator Gang-Raped Near Hampi, Odisha Tourist Missing 6
In a shocking incident near Karnataka’s Hampi, two women, including a 27-year-old Israeli tourist, were allegedly gang-raped while stargazing near Sanapur Lake late Thursday night. According to police, the attack occurred around 11 p.m. when the victims, along with three male tourists, were enjoying music by the canal after dinner.
Among the male tourists, one was from the United States, while the others were from Odisha and Maharashtra. The second victim, a 29-year-old woman, operated the homestay where the Israeli tourist was staying.
As per the complaint filed by the homestay operator, three men on a motorcycle approached them, asking where they could find petrol. When informed that no petrol pumps were nearby, the suspects demanded ₹100. Upon refusal, they allegedly began abusing the group in Kannada and Telugu before launching a violent assault.
The accused allegedly raped both women and pushed the three male tourists into the canal. Two of them sustained injuries, while the Odisha tourist remains missing.
Following the complaint, police registered a case at Gangavathi Rural Police Station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges of extortion, robbery, gang-rape, and attempted murder.
The victims are currently receiving medical treatment, while police have identified the suspects. Six special teams have been deployed to track down the culprits, with authorities assuring swift action. The brutal crime has sent shockwaves across the region, raising serious concerns over tourist safety in the heritage town of Hampi.
China Calls for 'Ballet' with India, Downplays Border Tensions Amid Global Power Struggle 8
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday urged India to embrace a “ballet” of cooperation with China, asserting that mutual success is the “only right choice” for both nations. His remarks come as India and China take steps towards normalizing ties after the four-year Ladakh military standoff.
Speaking at his annual press conference during China’s parliament session, Wang, a senior leader in the Communist Party of China (CPC), underscored the need for collaboration rather than competition. “There is every reason for us to support each other rather than undermine each other or undercut each other,” he said.
India-China relations froze in June 2020 following the Galwan Valley clashes, but Wang highlighted “positive strides” after last year’s disengagement of troops from the Depsang and Demchok areas. He pointed to the Modi-Xi meeting in Kazan in October 2023 as a turning point, stating that both nations have since strengthened exchanges and practical cooperation.
Reiterating China’s long-standing stance, Wang argued that border disputes should not define overall ties, dismissing India’s insistence on peace at the border as a precondition for diplomatic progress. “We should never allow bilateral relations to be defined by the boundary question or let specific differences affect the overall picture,” he stated.
In an apparent dig at U.S. influence in the Indo-Pacific, Wang emphasized that India and China, as major forces in the Global South, must resist “hegemonism and power politics.” He suggested that a China-India alliance could reshape global governance, promoting “greater democracy in international affairs.”
With 2025 marking the 75th anniversary of China-India diplomatic relations, Wang extended an olive branch, expressing China’s willingness to “sum up past experience and forge a path forward.” His remarks come amid India’s deepening security ties with the U.S. and Quad allies, a move Beijing has repeatedly criticized.
The next steps in India-China relations remain uncertain, with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Wang Yi holding high-level talks in Beijing last December, followed by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit in January 2024. Whether these diplomatic engagements will ease long-standing tensions or merely mask deeper geopolitical rivalries remains to be seen.
SC Rejects Plea to Halt Adani's Dharavi Redevelopment Amid Controversy 10
The Supreme Court on Friday declined to halt the Adani Group’s ₹5,069-crore Dharavi redevelopment project, despite a challenge from UAE-based Seclink Technologies Corporation, which claimed its ₹7,200-crore bid was unfairly scrapped.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar sought responses from the Maharashtra government and Adani Properties Pvt Ltd on a petition challenging the Bombay High Court’s December 20, 2024, verdict. The high court had cleared the mega-redevelopment project, dismissing claims of bias and stating that the process was fair and transparent.
Seclink Technologies, which was initially the highest bidder in 2018 with a ₹7,200-crore offer, saw its tender scrapped by the government, which later awarded the contract to Adani Group in 2022. The company’s legal counsel argued before the SC that it was willing to increase its bid by 20% to ₹8,640 crore, but the court did not intervene, instead directing Adani Properties to make payments through a single bank account and submit an affidavit regarding future commitments.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Adani, defended the progress of the 259-hectare Dharavi project, stating that construction had begun, funds had been deposited, and 2,000 people were already employed. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also noted that railway quarters had been demolished to make way for new constructions.
The high court had earlier rejected Seclink’s claims that the 2022 tender was “tailor-made” for Adani, pointing out that three bidders had participated in the process. The Maharashtra government maintained that the cancellation of the 2018 tender was due to factors such as COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, which impacted economic conditions.
Dharavi, one of the world’s largest and most densely populated slums, is set for a massive transformation under this redevelopment project, but the legal battle over its execution continues. The matter will be heard again in the week of May 25, with the court emphasizing that no special equities would be granted to either party.
Maharashtra's Economy Set to Outpace National Growth at 7.3% in 2024-25 12
Maharashtra’s economy is projected to grow at 7.3% in 2024–25, outpacing India’s expected 6.5% growth, according to the state’s pre-Budget Economic Survey tabled in the Assembly on Friday. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented the report, highlighting Maharashtra’s continued dominance as the largest contributor to India’s GDP.
The survey estimates sector-wise growth rates at 8.7% for agriculture and allied activities, 4.9% for industry, and 7.8% for the services sector. Maharashtra’s nominal Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for 2023-24 is pegged at ₹40.55 lakh crore, a notable rise from ₹36.41 lakh crore in 2022-23. Meanwhile, the real GSDP has also increased, reaching ₹24.35 lakh crore from ₹22.55 lakh crore in the previous year.
Maharashtra retains its position as the highest contributor to India’s economy, with its share of the national nominal GDP standing at 13.5% for 2023-24. The state’s per capita income is also set to see a significant boost, estimated at ₹3,09,340 for 2024-25, compared to ₹2,78,681 in 2023-24.
With robust growth across sectors and a rising per capita income, Maharashtra continues to strengthen its economic leadership, setting the stage for a dynamic 2024-25 fiscal year.
Trump Blames Biden for Stranded Astronauts, Orders Musk to Rescue Sunita Williams 14
In a dramatic statement, former US President Donald Trump accused the Biden administration of abandoning Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams and her crewmate Butch Wilmore aboard the International Space Station (ISS), claiming he has personally asked Elon Musk to launch a rescue mission.
“Biden left them up there,” Trump, 78, declared in the Oval Office, blasting his successor for allowing an eight-day mission to stretch into nine months. The former president insisted that Musk is preparing a spacecraft to bring them back within two weeks.
Referring to Williams, 59, Trump made an unusual remark about her hair, saying, “And I see the woman with the wild hair—good, solid head of hair she’s got.” His comments, laced with humor, did little to overshadow the gravity of the situation as he vowed, “We’re coming up to get you.”
Musk, the SpaceX CEO, backed Trump’s claim, posting on X (formerly Twitter) that SpaceX could have sent a rescue mission six months ago but was allegedly blocked by the Biden White House.
Williams and Wilmore were sent to the ISS aboard Boeing’s Starliner in June 2024 for what was supposed to be a short eight-day mission. However, persistent technical failures, including helium leaks and thruster malfunctions, rendered their return vessel unsafe. Despite breaking records for spacewalking time, Williams now faces an indefinite stay in orbit.
As political tensions flare on Earth, the fate of the two astronauts remains uncertain, with Trump now positioning himself as their unlikely savior.
Mumbai Attack Conspirator Tahawwur Rana's Last-Ditch Plea Rejected by US Supreme Court 16
In a major development, the US Supreme Court has rejected Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana’s emergency plea to halt his extradition to India, bringing him one step closer to facing trial for his alleged role in the 26/11 attacks.
Rana, 64, is currently incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles. In a last-ditch legal move, he had filed an “Emergency Application for Stay” with Associate Justice Elena Kagan, seeking to block his extradition. However, the Supreme Court’s website confirmed the rejection with a simple note dated March 6, 2025: “Application… denied by Justice Kagan.”
With this verdict, Rana has exhausted another legal avenue, making his extradition to India increasingly imminent. Indian authorities have been seeking his custody to prosecute him for his alleged involvement in planning and facilitating the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which killed 166 people and shook the nation.
As the legal barriers diminish, all eyes are now on the final steps of his extradition process and India’s preparations to bring him to justice.
Congress vs. BJP: Telangana Govt Calls All-Party Meet, Accuses Centre of Anti-South Bias in Delimitation 18
The Telangana Congress government has announced plans to convene an all-party meeting on the delimitation of parliamentary constituencies, citing concerns that the state may face injustice in the process.
After a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Information and Public Relations Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy accused the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre of using delimitation as a tool to discriminate against South India. He argued that the number of constituencies in southern states must increase proportionally to any rise in the north.
Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and senior Congress leader K. Jana Reddy will lead the all-party meeting, though no specific date has been announced. The decision follows Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s similar move, indicating growing concerns among southern states over the Centre’s delimitation plans.
In a politically charged move, the Cabinet also approved a draft bill to increase Backward Classes (BC) reservations from 23% to 42%, fulfilling a key Congress poll promise. This comes after the state conducted a caste survey, a commitment made by Rahul Gandhi ahead of the elections. The government has also decided to introduce legislation on Scheduled Caste (SC) categorization, rejecting a judicial commission’s recommendation to exclude the creamy layer from reservations.
Beyond politics, Telangana is gearing up to host the Miss World pageant from May 7-31, with the Cabinet ensuring top-tier arrangements for guests from over 140 countries. Meanwhile, the government has announced a governing board for the Yadadri temple, modeled after the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
As Telangana’s Congress-led government locks horns with the BJP at the Centre, the delimitation debate, reservation policies, and high-profile global events are set to dominate the political landscape in the coming months.
BJP's ₹2,500 Aid for Delhi Women Set for Launch, AAP Calls It a Poll Gimmick 20
The BJP government in Delhi is set to roll out its much-awaited Mahila Samriddhi Yojana on March 8, under which women aged 21-60 years with an annual income of up to ₹2.5 lakh will receive ₹2,500 per month, sources confirmed on Thursday.
The eligibility criteria were discussed in a high-level meeting attended by the Delhi Chief Secretary, after which officials stated that a draft proposal has been finalized for Cabinet approval. Once cleared, the registration process will commence, enabling thousands of economically weaker women to benefit from the scheme.
The launch event, to be held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on International Women’s Day, will see BJP chief J.P. Nadda, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, and other senior party leaders overseeing the online registration and symbolic fund transfers to select beneficiaries. The BJP had made this scheme a key poll promise during the Delhi Assembly elections.
However, the AAP has slammed the ruling BJP for the delay in implementation, accusing it of misleading voters. Opposition leaders criticized the government for not approving the scheme in its first Cabinet meeting, despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promise.
AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha led protests across Delhi, vowing to hold the BJP accountable. “We will continue our demonstrations from the streets to the Assembly. The BJP cannot get away with false promises,” he declared. Party leader Rituraj Jha further accused the BJP of betraying women voters, alleging that Modi had assured them that the first installment would be credited by March 8.
Meanwhile, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari assured that the government is working on finalizing the list of beneficiaries and aims to complete the distribution process within one and a half months. With political tensions heating up, all eyes are now on whether the BJP delivers on its ambitious promise—or if it turns into yet another electoral controversy.
