5-year-olds' message to PM Modi on Independence Day

A major political crisis has hit Jammu and Kashmir as 25 rebel National Conference MLAs have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the party leadership, threatening to pull the plug on the Omar Abdullah-led government. India Today accessed the explosive letter showing signatures of 16 dissident MLAs, while nine outstation MLAs extended full backing. The dissident group is demanding a complete cabinet overhaul, insisting that ministers who have completed two years in office, including the Deputy Chief Minister, be replaced, alongside the removal of Chief Minister's advisor Nasir Aslam Wani. The rebels have warned that failure to meet their demands within two weeks will force them to march to Raj Bhavan and formally withdraw legislative support. Additionally, the National Conference's sitting MP from Srinagar is expected to resign from the party and Parliament. However, a party voice denied any threat to leave the organisation, calling the letter an internal charter of demands to strengthen the party.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Hyderabad, offering prayers at the Bhagyalakshmi Temple near Charminar ahead of leading the Bharatiya Janata Party's 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' padayatra. The foot march is scheduled to commence opposite Nizam College ground and culminate at Mozamjahi Market, where the Union Home Minister is expected to address a massive gathering. The padayatra serves as a key counter-campaign against protests led by the Congress and opposition parties concerning the Special Intensive Revision process and demands related to electoral rolls. Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of State Bandi Sanjay, and Telangana BJP President N. Ramchander Rao accompanied the Home Minister. The initiative forms part of the BJP's nationwide strategy involving awareness programmes across 800 district headquarters to engage grassroot cadres and refute allegations raised by the opposition.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the Bhagyalakshmi Temple near Charminar in Hyderabad, offering Vedic prayers and partaking in the rituals ahead of the Bharatiya Janata Party's planned padayatra. Commencing his tour on a religious note, Amit Shah proceeded to scheduled private meetings before the evening programme. The party has organised a kilometre-long march themed 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' from Nizam College grounds to Mozamjahi Market. Leaders including Union Minister Kishan Reddy, Bandi Sanjay, and Ramchander Rao are scheduled to accompany the Home Minister during the march. The padayatra serves as a political show of strength following nationwide opposition demonstrations and rallies. Elaborate security arrangements have been established across the route in the city. Following the culmination of the foot march, Amit Shah is slated to address a massive public gathering at Mozamjahi Market, delivering a key political message to party workers and citizens.