State – Page 370 – SD NEWS agency

ED Raid on I-PAC Ignites Bengal Politics: Will Mamata Banerjee Benefit in Assembly Elections?

9Jan

By sd newsNo Comments

Politics, State, West Bengal

ED Raid on I-PAC Ignites Bengal Politics: Will Mamata Banerjee Benefit in Assembly Elections?

Kolkata, January 9, 2026: With West Bengal gearing up for elections to its 294-member Assembly in three months, political tensions have escalated following the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid on the office of I-PAC, a private consultancy involved in election strategy. The development has opened a new chapter in the state’s corruption narrative, with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seeking to shape the public discourse to their advantage. Mamata vs ED: A Rare ConfrontationTMC chief Mamata Banerjee directly intervened during the raid, marking a rare instance of a sitting Chief Minister openly confronting the ED. Accompanied by a security detail, Banerjee first visited I-PAC director Pratik Jain’s residence, emerging with a laptop and a “green fil...

UP Draft Voter List: Significant Variation in Names Removed, Lucknow Tops, Lalitpur Least Affected

9Jan

By sd newsNo Comments

State, Uttar Pradesh

UP Draft Voter List: Significant Variation in Names Removed, Lucknow Tops, Lalitpur Least Affected

Lucknow, January 9, 2026: The publication of the draft voter list following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Uttar Pradesh has revealed striking variations in the number of names removed across districts. According to figures released by the Election Commission, 18.70% of voters’ names have been removed statewide, but district-level data shows significant disparities. Lalitulpur Least AffectedBundelkhand’s Lalitpur recorded the lowest percentage of names removed, with 95,000 voters—just under 10% of the total—deleted from the draft list. Most districts in the state saw between 15% to 20% of voters removed. Lucknow Sees Maximum RemovalsIn contrast, Lucknow tops the list, with over 30% of voters’ names removed. The district’s voter count fell from 3.994 million in the October 20...

Azam Khan Falls Ill in Jail, Allegedly Denied Proper Facilities; Wife Tanzeen Fatima Raises Serious Concerns

9Jan

By sd newsNo Comments

State, Uttar Pradesh

Azam Khan Falls Ill in Jail, Allegedly Denied Proper Facilities; Wife Tanzeen Fatima Raises Serious Concerns

Rampur, January 9, 2026: Former Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan, currently incarcerated in Rampur Jail, is reportedly in poor health, raising concerns over the adequacy of medical care and basic facilities. Khan’s wife, Dr. Tanzeen Fatima, who visited him on Thursday, alleged that despite his illness and the severe winter chill, he has not been provided a proper bed. Wife Visits, Highlights Health IssuesDuring her visit, Dr. Fatima revealed that Khan is suffering from high fever and a persistent cough. Rampur is currently experiencing severe cold, with temperatures dropping to a minimum of 3°C and a maximum of 16°C. Dr. Fatima expressed serious concern over his condition, suggesting that inadequate facilities in the jail may be exacerbating his illness. Permission from Jail Authorit...

Punjab Government to Reach Out Directly to Traders, CM Mann and Kejriwal Announce Major Initiative

9Jan

By sd newsNo Comments

State

Punjab Government to Reach Out Directly to Traders, CM Mann and Kejriwal Announce Major Initiative

Chandigarh, January 9, 2026: In a bold move aimed at supporting small traders and shopkeepers, the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, announced that officials will now reach out directly to businesses across the state, eliminating the need for traders to navigate bureaucratic offices. The announcement was made jointly by CM Mann and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal. Speaking at the first meeting of the Punjab State Traders Commission in SAS Nagar, Kejriwal emphasized that no country can progress unless the interests of small shopkeepers and traders are safeguarded and business processes simplified. He described the initiative as the beginning of a “new era of trade reforms” in Punjab. Direct Outreach to MarketsUnder this initiative, adminis...

BJP Launches Aggressive Campaign to Expand NDA in Tamil Nadu, Targets Anti-DMK Voters

9Jan

By sd newsNo Comments

Politics, State, Tamil Nadu

BJP Launches Aggressive Campaign to Expand NDA in Tamil Nadu, Targets Anti-DMK Voters

Chennai, January 9, 2026: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is ramping up its efforts to expand the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu ahead of this year’s Assembly elections. The party aims to position the NDA as the natural choice for voters opposed to the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). The campaign comes at a time when Tamil Nadu’s traditional bipolar political landscape is witnessing a new entrant—actor Vijay’s political outfit, TVK. BJP’s strategy is to consolidate all anti-DMK forces under the NDA banner and present a united front to the electorate. Palaniappan Meets Amit ShahAIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniappan met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday to discuss expanding the NDA’s footprint in the state. The discussions reportedly covered coalitio...

Jaipur Cracks Down on Litterbugs: Over ₹2.5 Lakh Collected in Fines in Just Two Days via 184 CCTV Cameras

9Jan

By sd newsNo Comments

Rajasthan, State

Jaipur Cracks Down on Litterbugs: Over ₹2.5 Lakh Collected in Fines in Just Two Days via 184 CCTV Cameras

Jaipur: The Pink City is getting cleaner, thanks to a strict new surveillance initiative by the Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC). Over 184 CCTV cameras are now monitoring the city 24/7, identifying individuals littering on streets and immediately imposing fines. Immediate Action on LitteringIn a recent incident in the Civil Lines zone, two young men were caught on CCTV throwing garbage on the road. Upon receiving an alert from the control room, the JMC team reached the spot immediately. During the investigation, Dinesh Kumar Leelaramani, a resident of Ajmer Road, was fined ₹10,000, and the youths were made to pledge not to litter in public spaces in the future. ₹2.57 Lakh Collected in Two DaysWithin just two days of the campaign, the Municipal Corporation has collected fines totali...

“I Never Saw Him as Deputy CM”: Eknath Shinde Opens Up About His Relationship with Fadnavis

9Jan

By sd newsNo Comments

Maharashtra, Politics, State

“I Never Saw Him as Deputy CM”: Eknath Shinde Opens Up About His Relationship with Fadnavis

Mumbai: Amid the ongoing municipal election campaigns in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena leader and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has spoken candidly about his working relationship with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. His remarks, made during a media interview, have sparked widespread discussion. Shinde Clarifies MisconceptionsResponding to questions about his rapport with Fadnavis, Shinde said, “Even when I was the Chief Minister, I never regarded him as Deputy CM; I always considered him a Chief Minister in his own right.” He emphasized that their relationship is based on mutual respect and cooperation, dismissing any rumors of conflict or tension. Shinde also addressed circulating speculation about a so-called “cold war” between the two leaders, calling it “entirely a creation of t...

Viral Snowfall Videos from Kedarnath: Temple Committee Takes Strict Action

9Jan

By sd newsNo Comments

State, Uttarakhand

Viral Snowfall Videos from Kedarnath: Temple Committee Takes Strict Action

Dehradun: Videos of snowfall at Kedarnath Dham have recently gone viral on social media, prompting a firm response from the Badrikedar Temple Committee. Following objections from temple priests, the committee has written to the Rudraprayag district administration demanding action against those responsible for sharing the videos. Temple Committee Raises ConcernsHemant Dwivedi, President of the Badrikedar Temple Committee, stated that during the winter months, after the temple gates close, Narayana Puja is conducted at the shrines. Sharing videos of the site on social media during this period is considered against religious sentiments. The videos in circulation show Kedarnath completely covered in a thick layer of snow, highlighting the winter beauty of Baba Bholenath’s sacred town. Pr...

Meet Bihar’s Modern-Day ‘Dadhichi’: Retired Teacher Spends Pension on Educating Underprivileged Children

9Jan

By sd newsNo Comments

Bihar, State

Meet Bihar’s Modern-Day ‘Dadhichi’: Retired Teacher Spends Pension on Educating Underprivileged Children

Sitamarhi, Bihar: In Sitamarhi district, Bihar, retired teacher Dr. Naval Kishore Prasad Yadav has become a beacon of hope for underprivileged children. Locals fondly call him the “Dadhichi of Kaliyuga”, drawing a parallel with the legendary sage Maharshi Dadhichi, who sacrificed his bones for the welfare of mankind. Igniting the Light of EducationUnlike many today who focus solely on their personal and family interests, Dr. Yadav dedicates his time and resources to children from economically weaker backgrounds, ensuring they receive proper education. Hailing from Dalkawa village in Sonbarsa block, he has been teaching poor and meritorious students for decades. Education Beyond EmploymentDr. Yadav believes that education is not merely a means to secure employment, but a powerful tool...

Rajasthan Shivers: Snow in Jaisalmer, Rain in Alwar, Hail in Khairthal-Tijara; Meteorological Department Issues Alerts

9Jan

By sd newsNo Comments

Rajasthan, State

Rajasthan Shivers: Snow in Jaisalmer, Rain in Alwar, Hail in Khairthal-Tijara; Meteorological Department Issues Alerts

Jaipur: Rajasthan is grappling with severe cold and icy winds, as dense fog blankets several districts across the state. The Meteorological Department has issued warnings, highlighting the extreme weather conditions affecting both western and eastern Rajasthan. In Gogunda, Udaipur, temperatures dropped to the freezing point, leading to frost formation in fields. Jaisalmer witnessed a layer of snow covering vehicles in the morning, while Alwar recorded rainfall around 6 a.m. Hailstorms were reported in Khairthal-Tijara, intensifying the chill. Cities like Bhiwadi experienced dense fog under an overcast sky, significantly reducing visibility. Alerts Across DistrictsThe Jaipur Meteorological Centre has issued a yellow alert for fog in 18 districts and a yellow cold wave alert for four d...