Evening brief: Udhayanidhi Stalin on BJP's ‘nepotism’ attack; Ayodhya's Ram Mandir set for grand Holi, more news

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Published on: Mar 24, 2024, 18:40:18 IST

By HT News Desk

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Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin responded to the Bharatiya Janata Party's accusation of 'nepotism' within his party, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), saying that DMK indeed functions as a family-run party, considering all of Tamil Nadu as Karunanidhi's family. Prime Minister Modi had earlier criticised the DMK-led party, emphasizing his commitment to national welfare over dynastic politics. Udhayanidhi questioned whether having a family equates to obtaining a license for corruption or seizing power for personal gain. Udhayanidhi's father, MK Stalin, currently serves as DMK chief and Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister, succeeding his grandfather M Karunanidhi, a towering figure in Dravidian politics. Tamil Nadu's 39 Lok Sabha seats will be contested in the first phase on April 19, with the DMK-led alliance aiming to replicate its 2019 electoral success. Dig deeper

Tamil Nadu Minister and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin during an election campaign rally in support of party candidate Thanga Tamil Selvan ahead of upcoming Lok Sabha elections, in Theni district, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (PTI)

Ayodhya, revered as the sacred dwelling of Lord Ram, is gearing up for an extravagant celebration of Holi this year. Chief priest Acharya Satyendra Das of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple affirmed that the festival of colours will be commemorated in a grand manner to honour the deity. Expressing his sentiments, Das highlighted the significance of the occasion, drawing parallels to Lord Ram's divine presence in Ayodhya. He emphasized that the fervor surrounding this year's Holi is unparalleled, attributing it to the recent pran pratishtha ceremony. Devotees are anticipated to flock to the temple to offer gulal and a variety of delectable delicacies to Lord Ram, with prasad to be distributed among all. The auspicious atmosphere is further enriched by the recent inauguration of the Ram Mandir, attracting a surge of devotees since its unveiling by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22. Dig deeper

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During the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants, a peculiar incident unfolded at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Just two balls into the game, the play came to a halt for nearly seven minutes due to a spidercam error. The cable wire of the spidercam snapped and fell onto the outfield, disrupting the match. Former cricketer Rohan Gavaskar, in commentary, confirmed the incident. Play resumed after engineers rectified the issue. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson won the toss and elected to bat first against Lucknow Super Giants, who named Quinton de Kock, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, and Naveen as their four overseas players. Dig deeper

That’s all we have at this hour in our evening briefing. Catch you tomorrow morning.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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