India Political Highlights: Punjab minister Inderbir Singh Nijjar resigns; AAP MLAs Balkar, Gurmeet inducted in cabinet

Thank you for being with us as we brought you the day’s big political developments. The day saw Arvind Kejriwal taking on PM Modi over wrestlers’ protest and Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan asserting that Kerala is a land of secularism, among other such political events. Good night readers! Deccan Herald will be back with more updates on the morrow!

Punjab minister Inderbir Singh Nijjar resigns from Cabinet, citing personal reasons: Officials

As part of Punjab Cabinet expansion, AAP MLAs Balkar Singh, Gurmeet Singh Khudian to be inducted as ministers

Arvind Kejriwal urges PM Modi to ‘leave his arrogance’ over wrestlers protest

Kerala is a land of secularism, there are no communal tensions here, says Pinarayi Vijayan

Don't let medals flow in the Ganges, Deepender Hooda urges wrestlers

Brinda Karat urges strict punishment for accused in the Shahbad Dairy murder case

On the issue of Shahbad Dairy murder case, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat urges strict action against the accused. Sahil, 20, stabbed 16-year-old Sakshi over 20 times and then bludgeoned her with a cement slab, which killed her on the spot. She had 34 injury marks on her body and her skull was smashed.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah holds an all-party meeting at the CM's residence in Manipur's Imphal

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is in violence-hit Manipur, held an all-party meeting at the CM's residence.

Karnataka Dy CM DK Shivakumar likely to prioritise Mekedatu project

The Mekedatu project, one of the first issues the Congress raised to garner support for the elections, is back in the spotlight with Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who holds the Water Resources portfolio, calling a meeting of the irrigation department.

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BJP to begin month-long Maha Jansampark Abhiyan in Maharashtra, to reach out to 1,000 eminent persons

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP will begin a Abhiyan in order to reach out to 1,000 eminent people from every Lok Sabha constituency

After Chidambaram, Shiv Sena UBT's Sanjay Raut bats for Opposition unity

"Whatever P Chidambaram has said is true. Non-BJP parties will take a decision regarding it in the meeting called by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar in Patna on June 12. Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar will attend the meeting": Uddhav Thackeray faction leader Sanjay Raut.

Congress claims Manipur violence 'is a result of the BJP's incompetence'

Congress claims the ongoing violence in Manipur "is a result of the BJP's incompetence". Former Manipur CM and Congress leader Okram Ibobi Singhsays "BJP government in Manipur as well as at the Centre has remained a mute spectator. It took nearly a month for Home Minister Amit Shah to take stock of the damage in Manipur. The people of Manipur fail to understand the hidden agenda behind the BJP's silence on this sensitive matter".

To mark 9 years of Modi government, BJP plans to carry out 51 rallies, 500+ jan sabhas

To mark 9 years of Modi government, the BJP plans to carry out 51 rallies, 500+ jan sabhas across LS seats, hold press conferences at 600 areas & meet 5 lakh families.

'My duty is to win the election': Gehlot on working with Pilot

"The position is not important for me, I have been the CM thrice. Today it's my duty to do the work that the high command wants, which is to win the election. One who remains loyal to the party and remains patientwill get a chance someday": Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlotwhen asked about working together with Sachin Pilot after the latter's revolt.

Kejriwal meets CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury in Delhi

Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal met CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechuryin the national capital.Kejriwal has reached out to other Opposition parties in the last few days, including seeking a meeting with Congress'Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, amid the Delhi government's Ordinance tussle with the Centre.

"We hopethe Congress, as the largest Opposition party, supports the Delhi government over the Delhi Ordinance issue, as we in the CPI(M) have": CPI(M)General Secretary Sitaram Yechury.

"We will challenge the Ordinance in the Supreme Court. But until then, I hope all Opposition parties can come together on this issue in the Rajya Sabha": Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.

Fadnavis claims Thackeray faction dissatisfied, says Shinde faction won't jump ship

"The entire Thackeray faction is dissatisfied. The kind of dissatisfaction which is there is nowhere else," says Maharashtra Deputy CM and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis when asked about claims by leaders of Thackeray faction that 22 MLAs and 9 MPs of the Shinde faction are in touch with them. (ANI)

Karnataka CM orders investigation into corruption allegations in KKRDB during Bommai rule

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah orders an investigation over allegations of corruption in Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB) during BJP Government's tenure, following a complaint by State Minister Priyank Kharge.

"There are more scams, not just in Kalyana Karnataka (KKRDB). We have to deliver justice, so we will order an enquiry into all the scams": Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar (ANI).

BJP's Shehzad Poonawalla attacks Kejriwal after Delhi HC denies bail to Sisodia

"Now even the Congress believes that Manish Sisodia and AAP are involved in the excise policy scam. Arvind Kejriwal defends these scamsters because he himself is involved in it,” says BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla after Delhi HC denies bail to former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia in the excise policy scam being probed by CBI. (PTI)

'PM kept resolution of Antyodaya and service paramount in his policies,' says Nadda as government completes 9 years

"Modi government's 9 years have been of service, good governance and poor welfare. Historical achievements have been achieved in the areas of national security, self-reliance, global prestige, economic strengthening etc. Respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji has kept the resolution of Antyodaya and service paramount in his policies," tweets BJP National President JP Nadda.

Will investigate corruption under Bommai's government, says Karnataka minister Dinesh Gundu Rao

When asked if Congress's allegations of corruption against the previous BJP governmentin the state will be investigated, Karnataka minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said, "Yes, we will look into all that in our respective departments. Anything that has happened that has caused loss to our exchequer and wastage of resources and anything that involves corruption...we will definitely take strict action". (ANI)

Kharge condoles the demise of Congress MP Suresh Narayan Dhanorkar

"Saddened to learn about the untimely passing away of Shri Suresh Narayan Dhanorkar, Congress MP (Lok Sabha) from Chandrapur Maharashtra. He was a grassroots leader. Our deepest condolences to his family, friends and followers. May they get the strength to overcome this loss," Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted.

Rajasthan Congress infighting has affected development of the state, says Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

"I don't want to comment on the infighting of Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot. But this has caused a loss to the development and people of Rajasthan. Due to infighting, head of Rajasthan is focused on saving his chair. As a result, the law and order situation in Rajasthan is poor. Rajasthan is lagging behind in the development race. People of the state have made up their minds to change this government. On one hand, efforts were being made for reconciliation in Delhi and on the other hand, there were reports of a brawl (between party leaders) in Sikar. There is a lot of infighting in the party and such efforts of reconciliation are insufficient. Earlier too, similar efforts were made to send a message but the results are still the same. Wait and watch, you will see it again in a few days": Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on infighting in the Rajasthan Congress. (ANI)

PM Modi 'filled with humility and gratitude' as his government completes 9 years in power

"Today, as we complete 9 years in service to the nation, I am filled with humility and gratitude. Every decision made, every action taken, has been guided by the desire to improve the lives of people. We will keep working even harder to build a developed India," PM Modi tweeted as his government completed 9 years in power.

Chidambaram bats for Opposition unity

When asked about the strategy for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Congress MP P Chidambaram says, "In my view, if the non-BJP Opposition parties get together, it is possible that in 450 seats we can field one common candidate against the BJP. But that is an aspiration. Parties are meeting in Patna on June 12. It is a work in progress. It will happen but it will take some time." (ANI)

'BJP only alternative to TMC,' says WB BJP chief on lone Congress MLA joining TMC

"It is proof to the people of West Bengal that the alternative of TMC is not CPM or Congress and BJP is the only alternative": West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar on lone West Bengal Congress MLA Bayron Biswas joining TMC. (ANI)

LS Speaker expresses condolences on demise of Congress MP

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expresses condolences on the demise of Congress Chandrapur MP Balu Dhanorkar. (ANI)

Nirmala Sitharaman defends government record on China issue

"He (Rahul Gandhi) should be ashamed of taunting the Indian government on the China issue when he is briefed by the Chinese Ambassador. However, he doesn't listen to what our PM says on the issue. Whenever he (PM) speaks in Parliament on this issue, Congress leaders either walk out or shout at their loudest voices to disrupt his speech": FM Nirmala Sitharaman in Mumbai. (ANI)

Use social media to spread word on how India changed under Modi govt: Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said social media can be used to spread the word about how India has changed over the past nine years under the Narendra Modi government.

Addressing social media influencers during a programme organised at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan here, he said India's stature has increased on the global stage and said that social media has also played an important role in this.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray at the latter's residence on Monday evening. The interaction between the two leaders took place after a meeting of the BJP with Sitharaman

Goa plans to adopt 'best' practices of three BJP-ruled states

To improve governance in the state, Goa government mulling to adopt the "best practices" from threeBJP-ruled states, that are, Haryana, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, speaking to reporters, said that several issues of Goa were discussed in the meeting of NITI Ayog and Chief Ministers.