India on Friday said that it has agreed on “mutually workable solutions” with the Maldives for operating three aircraft in the Indian Ocean archipelago, with all Indian military personnel who fly and maintain the platforms expected to be withdrawn by May.
Following the second meeting of the high-level core group set up by India and the Maldives to address the issue of the military personnel, the external affairs ministry said the solutions worked out by the two sides would “enable continued operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and medevac services to the people of Maldives”.
The Maldivian foreign ministry provided details of the solutions, saying the two sides had agreed the Indian government “will replace the military personnel in one of the three aviation platforms by 10 March 2024, and will complete replacing military personnel in the other two platforms by 10 May 2024”.
The details provided by the Maldives showed that the solutions reflected a compromise on Muizzu’s demand that India should withdraw all its military personnel from the Maldives by March 15.
Bilateral ties are currently at a fresh low, with the Muizzu government taking a number of steps to move the Maldives closer to China and to reduce dependence on India in crucial areas such as healthcare and food security.
It is understood that the Indian side is considering several options to replace more than 75 military personnel currently deployed in the Maldives to operate two ALH helicopters and a Dornier aircraft that were provided by New Delhi.
One option is replacing the military personnel with civilian operators familiar with the two platforms, including retired personnel from the three services with experience of flying and maintaining the aircraft, the people said.
**(Taking on Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee said the Congress may not win even 40 seats in 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
"Those who have never gone to a tea shop now show that they sit with beedi workers," she said tounge-in-cheek.
Tamil actor Vijay announces political party, names it 'Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam'
'Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam': Tamil actor Vijay announced political party on Friday, joining the league of film stars making a political entry in Tamil Nadu.
But he said, the nascent party will neither be contesting the 2024 general elections nor supporting any party in the upcoming elections.
The actor made the big announcement after his fan club, Vijay Makkal Iyakkam, gave a nod to the formation of the political party in a meeting held in Chennai last week.
In a statement issued by the actor, he said, "We are making an application today to the EC to register our party ‘Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam’. Our goal is to contest and win the upcoming 2026 assembly elections and bring about the fundamental political change that people want."
The star has committed to bring about "fundamental political change" in Tamil Nadu with transparent, caste-free, and corruption-free administration.
"Politics is not just another career for me.
"It is a sacred people's work. I have been preparing myself for it for a long time. Politics is not a hobby for me. That is my deepest desire. I want to fully involve myself in it," the actor said.
Further explaining actor Vijay's political move, the statement further said, "You are all aware of the current political climate. Administrative malpractices and corrupt political culture on the one hand, and a divisive political culture which strives to divide our people on the lines of caste and religion on the other hand.
Everyone, especially, in Tamil Nadu is yearning for a fundamental political change that can lead to a selfless, transparent, caste-free, visionary, corruption-free and efficient administration".
After obtaining the approval of the Election Commission, the party plans to conduct public meetings and events. During these gatherings, they will present their policies, principles, and action plans, as well as introduce a flag and party symbol.
Doubt Congress will win even 40 seats in Lok Sabha elections: Mamata Banerjee
In West Bengal's Murshidabad, Mamata Banerjee sought to embarrass the grand old party and said, "Congress, I don't know if you will win 40 seats out of 300. Why such arrogance? You came to Bengal, we are an INDIA alliance. Tell me at least. I came to know from the administration. If you have guts, defeat the BJP in Varanasi. You lose in places where you won earlier!"
"We have not one in Uttar Pradesh. You have not won in Rajasthan. Go and win those seats. I will see how daring you are. Go and win in Allahabad, win in Varanasi. Let's see how daring a party you are!" she said.
Referring to Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra's Bengal leg wherein the Congress leader was seen interacting with 'beedi' workers, Mamata Banerjee said,
"Now a new style has surfaced... of a photo shoot. Those who have never gone to a tea shop now show that they sit with beedi workers. They are all migratory birds."
Udhayanidhi Stalin summoned by Bengaluru court over ‘Sanatana Dharma’ remark
Last year, Udhayanidhi Stalin stoked a controversy by comparing Sanatana Dharma to "dengue" and "malaria". The court has issued a summons for him to appear in person for the hearing, scheduled for March 4.
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