BJP Critiques Mahagathbandhan as PM Modi Attends ASEAN Summit Virtually

Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed on March 15, 2024, that he will attend the 47th ASEAN Summit virtually, opting not to travel to Kuala Lumpur. This decision comes after a recent conversation with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral relations between India and Malaysia.

The political landscape in Bihar is also heating up as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized the Mahagathbandhan, an alliance of opposition parties, for failing to include Congress leader Rahul Gandhi‘s image on promotional materials for a press conference. The event is intended to announce that Tejashwi Yadav, leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), will be the alliance’s chief ministerial candidate in the upcoming state elections.

In a significant law enforcement operation, four of Bihar’s most wanted gangsters were killed in an encounter in Delhi’s Rohini district. The joint effort by the Delhi Police Crime Branch and Bihar Police resulted in the deaths of notorious gang leader Ranjan Pathak and his associates, marking a major achievement in the ongoing battle against organized crime in the region.

In another incident, a man from Hyderabad, Mohammed Ahmed, released a series of distress videos claiming he had been deceived into joining the Russian military amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Ahmed stated that a job agent misled him with promises of employment in Russia’s construction sector, only to find himself drafted into military service.

In Kakinada, a troubling event unfolded when a senior leader of the Telugu Desam Party, Tatika Narayana Rao, allegedly died by suicide after being accused of attempting to rape a 13-year-old girl. The incident occurred on March 13, 2024, near Komati Cheruvu as police were transporting him for a court appearance.

On a lighter note, Bollywood actress Parineeti Chopra celebrated her birthday alongside the joyous occasion of welcoming her first child with her husband, Raghav Chadha. The couple’s son was born earlier this month, coinciding with Diwali festivities, making this birthday particularly special for Chopra.

In the world of sports, Indian cricket fans expressed concern over Virat Kohli‘s performance during the ongoing One Day International series against Australia. Kohli failed to score in two consecutive matches, raising speculation about his future in the format. His recent dismissal for a duck against Australian bowler Xavier Bartlett at the Adelaide Oval has added to the anxiety among supporters.

These developments highlight a mix of political, social, and cultural events shaping the current landscape in India and beyond.