Congress Seeks Larger Role, Asks DMK To Finalise Seat Sharing By Dec 15

Undeterred by the setback in Bihar, where it won only six of the 61 seats it contested, the Congress has toughened its position during talks with key ally DMK in Tamil Nadu during their latest meeting, sources have said. 

Congress leaders said the party's Tamil Nadu alliance committee has sought one to two Assembly seats in each of the state's 38 districts and a share in power if the alliance returns to power after the elections next year. The Congress had contested 25 seats in Tamil Nadu in the 2021 Assembly poll, and won 18. 

Leaders present at Wednesday's discussion say the Congress has gone nearly two decades without playing a part in the state government and now wants both acknowledgement and a defined administrative role. The committee has also urged the DMK to finalise all terms, including seat sharing, by December 15 to avoid the recurring pattern of last-minute negotiations. 

The leaders said the committee told the DMK it cannot secure a comfortable victory without the party's support, given that Congress votes remain crucial in several pockets where the DMK's organisational depth is relatively thin.

The Congress formed its five-member committee on November 22 after the DMK sought clarity from the party high command. This came after speculation that sections of the state Congress were favouring an alliance with actor-politician Vijay's TVK, which has emerged as a third political force in the state, alongside the DMK- and AIADMK-led alliances. 

The committee - comprising Tamil Nadu Congress president K Selvaperunthagai, party in-charge for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Girish Chodankar, Congress Legislature Party leader S  Rajeshkumar and senior leaders Nivedith Alva and Suraj Hegde - met DMK President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and senior DMK figures to discuss the party's expectations. 

Rethink After Bihar

The Bihar results weakened the broader opposition front and sharpened concerns about the Congress's national standing, and leaders said this has prompted a rethink, with the party unwilling to remain a passive junior partner in key states. The Tamil Nadu unit has told the High Command that while its presence may not be dominant, it holds meaningful pockets of influence that must translate into real bargaining power.

Other alliance partners, including the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and the Left parties, are also preparing to push for larger shares ahead of the 2026 polls. 

DMK negotiators are expected to weigh the Congress demands carefully because, as the principal party, it carries the largest electoral burden and must also work to secure victories for allies. 

Both the DMK and the Congress have been reassessing the TVK and Vijay's potential impact after the Karur stampede in September, in which over 40 people were killed. Vijay recently spoke to Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, adding another layer of complexity to an already complicated political equation.

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IndiGo To Cancel More Flights For 2-3 Days, Seeks Rules Exemption Till Feb 10

IndiGo has sought exemptions for pilot rest and duty norms till February 10, 2026, related to its night duty flights for its A320 fleet. The airline also admitted that it misjudged crew requirements under the new norms and faced planning gaps, resulting in inadequate crew availability at a time when winter weather and congestion were also affecting operations.

The definition of night duty being revised from midnight to 5 am to midnight to 6 am is rolled back temporarily. Additionally, the cap on night landing to two is also temporarily on hold.

It warned that cancellations are likely to continue for the next two to three days as part of schedule stabilisation efforts. From December 8, the airline will reduce flight operations to limit further disruption.

The development comes after IndiGo's mounting operational disruptions, resulting in lakhs of passengers stranded across airports and hundreds of flights cancelled in the last three days.

The airline was summoned by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu to review the situation alongside senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and IndiGo's top management. The ministry said it is monitoring the airline's network closely after cancellations surged dramatically across the country since late November.

IndiGo Cites FDTL Transition, Crew Planning Failures

IndiGo told the DGCA that the disruptions stemmed from transitional difficulties in implementing Phase 2 of the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms, which came into effect on November 1 following a court directive. IndiGo said that the actual number of pilots needed for FDTL Phase 2 exceeded their anticipation.

Reviewed the operations of Indigo along with senior officials of Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA. I have instructed the DGCA and concerned officials at the Ministry to keep a close watch on the network and directed Indigo to normalize the operations at the earliest. In... pic.twitter.com/ZdqFXPOAvM

— Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) December 4, 2025

Crew requirement data presented by the airline showed that after Phase 2 implementation, required staffing levels rose noticeably, particularly for night-time operations, where slot availability is limited and pilot duty time restrictions are tighter.

The new rules, designed to improve fatigue management and pilot safety, have significantly altered crew rostering patterns. 

DGCA Issues Strict Compliance Orders

According to the regulator, IndiGo has been cancelling 170 to 200 flights a day, a sharp spike well above normal levels. It has issued a series of directives to IndiGo, including submission of a crew recruitment and aircraft induction roadmap, a revised plan to stabilise operations, fortnightly progress reports on improvements in crew availability and scheduling, and details of all FDTL relaxations needed to restore normal operations.

The DGCA said it will continue real-time monitoring of IndiGo's network performance and passenger-handling systems in the coming days.

DGCA Flags Inadequate Staff At Delhi Airport

As disruptions escalated, DGCA teams conducted on-ground inspections at major airports, including Delhi's Terminal 1, which saw the highest passenger impact. Inspectors found that IndiGo's passenger-handling staff was insufficient to manage the surge in stranded travellers, leading to overcrowding and delays in assistance.

The airline has now been instructed to immediately increase staff and strengthen support services across all affected terminals. 

Government Orders Monitoring of Airfares, Passenger Support

The Civil Aviation Minister directed AAI to ensure all airports provide continuous support to stranded passengers. MoCA has asked DGCA to keep a close watch on airfares during the disruption period to prevent any sudden or unfair spikes.

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Maharashtra's 'Car In Sea': A Rolls Royce Boat Turning Heads At Juhu Beach

Maharashtra's coastline has a new attraction making waves, quite literally. A Rolls Royce-shaped vessel cruising through the Arabian Sea is drawing crowds at Juhu beach, rapidly becoming one of the beach's most talked-about tourism innovations.

The unique watercraft, popularly dubbed the "car in the sea," offers locals and tourists a luxury-themed marine experience that would otherwise require travel abroad. And behind this spectacle is Pramod Pawar, who turned an idea he once saw on a Dubai beach into a homegrown adventure for Maharashtra.

A Dubai Dream Recreated At Home

Pawar says the concept struck him during a beach trip in Dubai, where similar luxury-themed boats are a staple. With a renewed vision, Pawar returned with sketches, observations, and a resolve to build something suited to local waters.

Inside Maharashtra's viral ‘Car In The Sea' ride. @AnujRayate speaks to Pramod Pawar, the man who designed and built the unique “car-boat” after spotting a similar concept in Dubai. pic.twitter.com/NhUkZc8Kfi

— NDTV (@ndtv) December 2, 2025

The team then modified the vessel extensively to withstand the specific conditions of Maharashtra's coastline, from tidal behaviour to safety norms. The result is a premium-looking boat that seats five people and travels up to 1.8 nautical miles into the sea.

The boat comes equipped with onboard music, plush interiors, and even a shower facility for visitors returning from the salty spray.

A Push Toward 'International-Level' Tourism

Maharashtra already hosts most of the water sports available internationally, from jet skiing to parasailing. But with attractions like the "car boat," officials and operators say the goal is to scale up to 100% international standards.

The team behind the Rolls Royce vessel plans to expand further with new offerings, including flyboarding and Ferrari and Lamborghini-inspired boat variants.

"We want people to feel like they're getting a true international experience right here," said Vijay, the manager.

More Than A Gimmick, A Sign Of What's Coming

Pawar was very clear in his resolve that this is not a one off, but a start to a newer trend. "We do not wish to stop here, we want to bring as many newer sports to our waters as possible," he said.

He also stressed on the need for the government to encourage such experiments at home and make it hassle free.

"I was able to bring it home because I happened to be in Dubai and saw it, but not every one of us can do that, hence their chances of expanding become limited. The government should encourage more of such sports for greater footfalls."

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Revanth Reddy's Remarks On Hindu Gods Spark Political Row

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's lighthearted remarks about 3 crore Hindu deities, a God for every occasion, have sparked a political row.

The controversial comments made during a party executive meeting have drawn immediate and sharp condemnation from the opposition BJP and BRS, who accused him of insulting Hindu sentiments.

While addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Reddy introduced a seemingly conversational point about the nature of Hindu worship, which he framed as an observation delivered "in a lighter vein".

The Chief Minister's quote, which quickly went viral after internal accounts surfaced, was: "How many deities are there in Hinduism? How many deities? Three crores? Why? For those who are unmarried, there is god hanuman. For those who are married twice, there is another god. For those who drink, there is another god. Yellamma, Pochamma, Maisamma. For those who demand chicken, there is a god. And for those who eat dal-rice, there is another god, right? There are all kinds of deities."

The opposition quickly seized upon the remarks, interpreting them as a mockery of the fundamental tenets of Hindu faith and customs.

Attacking the Chief Minister, Union minister and former Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar issued a strongly worded statement on social media, accusing the Congress party of holding deep-rooted hatred towards Hindus.

"I strongly condemn the comments made by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy insulting Hindus and Hindu deities. The Congress has always been a party that bends before the AIMIM. Revanth Reddy himself said Congress is a Muslim party. That statement alone exposes their mindset. Congress carries deep-rooted hatred towards Hindus," Bandi Sanjay said.

"This is exactly why we warned during the Jubilee Hills by-election that if Congress or BRS accidentally won, Hindus would not be able to step out with dignity. The Chief Minister's latest comments prove BJP was right," he added.

Bandi Sanjay urged the Hindu community to unite: "The hatred Congress holds towards Hindus and Hindu gods now stands exposed. It is time for the Hindu community to think seriously. Will you stay divided and continue to endure humiliation, or will you unite and assert your strength?"

The backlash was quickly formalised into action, with the BJP state chief, G Ramchandra Rao, calling for statewide protests and agitations against the Chief Minister and the Congress government, demanding an unconditional apology.

The protests are expected to escalate across Telangana in the coming days.

The BRS also joined the condemnation, with several leaders demanding that the Chief Minister immediately retract the statement and apologise for hurting the sentiments of crores of Hindus across the state.
 

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Abandoned In Cold, Newborn Finds Unlikely Protectors In Pack Of Stray Dogs

In the hours before dawn, when most of this river town in West Bengal's Nadia district lies silent under a winter sky, a newborn baby was left alone on the cold ground outside a bathroom in a railway workers' colony.

The infant was only a few hours old, still marked with blood from birth, with no blanket, no note, and no one nearby. But the baby was not entirely alone.

What followed is now whispered with the disbelief reserved for miracles-a pack of strays, the very dogs people chase away daily, had formed a perfect ring around the newborn, not barking or moving, simply standing guard through the night.

Residents say the dogs did not allow anyone or anything to come near through the night, except the morning light itself.

"Waking up, we saw something that still gives us goosebumps," said Sukla Mondal, a resident who was among the first to spot the baby. "The dogs were not aggressive. They looked... alert. As if they understood the child was fighting to live," she said.

Another resident, Subhash Pal, recalled hearing the short, sharp cry around dawn.

"I thought the family had a sick baby. Never imagined a newborn was lying outside, with dogs watching over. They behaved like sentries," he said.

It was only when Sukla finally approached, whispering, that the dogs eased open their circle.

She wrapped the baby in her dupatta and called neighbours for help.

The infant was rushed first to Maheshganj Hospital and then referred to Krishnanagar Sadar Hospital.

Doctors later said there were no injuries, and the blood on the head was likely from a birthmark that the abandonment happened minutes, not hours, after delivery.

Police suspect someone from the locality may have left the child there under the cover of night.

Nabadwip police and Child Help authorities have begun inquiries and initiated procedures for the baby's long-term care.

Yet, even as officials get to work, the town cannot shake off the image of the dogs-silent, untrained, and yet uncannily protective.

"These are the same dogs we complain about," said a railway worker. "But they showed more humanity than whoever abandoned that child," he said.

Old-timers in Nabadwip say the place has always been touched by an inexplicable compassion, tracing it back to the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a 15th-century saint, who was born in this river town and whose message of empathy still echoes through its ghats and temples.

"Maybe that spirit worked through those animals," an elder remarked.

As evening fell, children in the Rail Colony were seen offering biscuits to the very dogs that held vigil the night before.

One teenager, stroking a brown stray, said, "They saved the baby".

In a community used to daily struggles, residents say this night will stay with them - a reminder that sometimes protection comes from the most unexpected places, and that humanity, too often missing, can arrive on four legs.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Extreme Rain Alert For Chennai, School Shut Tomorrow

Although Cyclone Dithwa fizzled out without causing major damage along the Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh coasts, the deep depression it weakened into is now expected to unleash isolated extremely heavy rains over parts of the Chennai, Tiruvallur, and Ranipet districts, the meteorological department has warned.

With the system moving parallel to the Tamil Nadu coast, around 50 km from the shoreline, and heading towards south Andhra Pradesh, Chennai's Nungambakkam recorded 9 cm of rain in just 11 hours, signalling the start of what could be another challenging spell for the city.

Civic Body Claims Full Preparedness

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has asserted that the city is "fully prepared" to handle another prolonged rain spell. 

Officials say 215 relief centres have been readied across Chennai, each equipped with food, essential supplies, and basic medical support. Alongside these, 111 community kitchens have been activated to serve hot meals if residents need to be moved to shelters. 

The Corporation has also deployed more than 700 pumps, including large-capacity 100 HP motors and portable units, across known flood-prone locations to minimise water stagnation.

Additionally, teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) - over 350 personnel in total - have been stationed across vulnerable zones for emergency response. 

The civic body has mobilised nearly 480 vehicles, including tree-cutting units, mechanised saws, rescue boats and power-saw-equipped rapid response units, to attend to complaints related to fallen trees, flooding and disruptions. Zonal teams and field volunteers, GCC says, are operating round the clock to handle distress calls and drainage issues.

Rain Holiday for Schools, Colleges

As a precaution, district administrations declared a rain holiday tomorrow for schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu, citing the extremely heavy rainfall alert.

City Still Struggles With Waterlogging

Despite the corporation's preparedness claims, several low-lying pockets in Chennai remained waterlogged after today's rains, raising fresh questions over the efficiency of the stormwater drains built over the last four years, a major DMK government project since 2021. The extreme rains could put this larger system to the test.

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Hyderabad Man Falls To Online Fraud, Threats, Loses More Than Rs 1 Lakh

A sophisticated "honeytrap" operating on the Telegram messaging platform has led a 20-year-old Hyderabad resident to lose over Rs 1 lakh before the fraud turned into extortion. The victim, lured by a convincing fake profile, transferred Rs 1,02,093 to the fraudsters before realising the deception.

The incident in Yakutpura, now being investigated by the cybercrime cell, again highlighted the growing threat of scams targeting vulnerable users on social media.

According to the complaint, someone posing as a woman had contacted the victim and offered paid companionship services. The fraudster went to great lengths to establish credibility, using stolen photographs, fake testimonials, and manipulated feedback.

Once trust was established, the scammer initiated a sequence of rapid demands for payments under deceptive pretexts, creating a financial sinkhole for the unsuspecting victim.

The victim paid Advance Booking Fees, Service Security Deposits, Room Reservation Charges and "Refundable" Manager Fees.

After promises of refunds, the young man made multiple UPI and bank transfers, ending up transferring Rs 1,02,093 to various bank accounts provided by the fraudster.

The trap finally became apparent when the victim was told to arrive at a hotel in Abids locality for the supposed meeting. On reaching the location, the victim found no one. 

When he attempted to contact the individual, the fraudster dropped the pretence and immediately pivoted to aggressive extortion, demanding an additional Rs 10,000 and issued threats.

Recognising the attempt to blackmail him, the victim immediately approached the police cybercrime cell to lodge a formal complaint.

Cybercrime officials consistently warn that these rackets thrive on stolen media and the victim's fear of social embarrassment. The key elements of the scam, fake profiles and repeated demands for fees, are standard modus operandi.

The Hyderabad cybercrime wing has issued a stern advisory urging the public to exercise extreme caution, advising them never to trust unsolicited messages or profiles on platforms like Telegram or WhatsApp offering paid companionship or high-value services.

They say that no legitimate service will demand repeated payments for "security", "managers" or "refundable deposits" before a service is rendered.

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