Elections On My Plate: Rajdeep Sardesai's ground reports from Chennai, Coimbatore

A severe flash flood originating from Tibet has hit the Trishuli River in Nepal's Rasuwa district, killing at least 16 people and injuring 36 others. The Bagmati Province Police Office confirmed that casualties occurred across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading districts. Quoting Nepal's foreign minister, initial reports indicate that an earthquake caused an avalanche that triggered the flash flood. In response to the rising water levels upstream, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a telephonic conversation with Bihar leadership to review the situation and assure central assistance. Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary chaired a high-level review meeting with top officials, issuing directives for round-the-clock monitoring of dams and embankments, night patrolling, and evacuation warnings in vulnerable low-lying areas. Districts along the Gandak River, including Paschim Champaran, Gopalganj, Saran, and Muzaffarpur, as well as Sitamarhi, Sheohar, and Kosi regions, have been placed on high alert. Teams from the NDRF and SDRF have been deployed across affected districts to handle emergencies.

In an interview with India Today, UT Khader, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka, addressed key national and state issues, including the controversy surrounding 'Vande Mataram', youth engagement, public examination paper leaks, and food hygiene enforcement in Karnataka. Speaking on national symbols, Khader asserted, "One nation will have one national anthem," noting that political debates around 'Vande Mataram' are intended "to distract the mind of the people." He defended youth activism and recalled the historical reduction of the voting age to eighteen, while addressing grievances over national entrance exam paper leaks. Responding to questions on public administration, Khader detailed the state government's efforts to generate employment and enforce strict health and hygiene standards across commercial eateries, government canteens, and prominent clubs in Karnataka, emphasizing that public safety and quality food access remain non-negotiable state priorities.

Speaking at the India Today Roundtable, Janata Dal (Secular) Youth President Nikhil Kumaraswamy addressed key political developments in Karnataka and his party's stance. Criticizing Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Kumaraswamy alleged that the Karnataka Congress government functions like a mafia and described Shivakumar as resembling the chief executive officer of a real estate firm. He raised concerns regarding land acquisition for the proposed artificial intelligence city in Bidadi, questioning why fertile agricultural land is being forcefully acquired despite ongoing farmer protests. On the NICE project issue, he questioned the government's delay in acting on High Court directives. Addressing allegations of dynastic politics within JDS, Kumaraswamy asserted that regional parties often operate under family leadership while highlighting opportunities provided to non-family workers by founder H.D. Deve Gowda. Confirming his political plans, he declared that he will contest the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections from his home constituency of Ramanagara.

Discussions at an infrastructure forum highlighted key urban mobility challenges facing Bengaluru, focusing on the proposed eighteen-kilometer tunnel road project from north to south. The project involves acquiring land in Lalbagh, leading to concerns regarding environmental preservation and park space diversion under amended preservation laws. Critics argue that the car-only tunnel road fails to reduce traffic congestion, citing independent traffic studies and a detailed project report referencing traffic figures outside the state. The project is also criticized for high costs per kilometer, toll fees, and the exclusion of public transport options such as buses and two-wheelers. Proposals for expanding metro connectivity, increasing public bus fleets, and implementing comprehensive mobility plans were presented as alternatives to high-cost road projects. Additional discussions covered political leadership transitions within youth organizations, strategies for engaging younger demographic groups, and political movements addressing governance issues across various state administrations.