Delhi Confidential: Special initiative

Indian Express

16-05-2025

AMID THE Tiranga Yatra and other campaigns being orgainsed by BJP leaders to thank the armed forces for Operation Sindoor, former Union Minister and party leader Smriti Irani has dedicating the money she received as her MP pension to the National Defence Fund. She has also persuaded the Confederation of All India Traders, to which she is a strategic adviser, to contribute `1 crore to the fund. The National Defence Fund is meant for voluntary donations received for promotion of national defence efforts and welfare of members of the armed forces, paramilitary forces and their dependents.
Cancelled Plan
Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi's press conference was cancelled on Friday. It is learnt that it was the second press briefing of the Congress leader to be called off this week. There was a buzz on Wednesday that Gandhi would address the media on the India-Pakistan situation after the Congress Working Committee meeting, but it was cancelled after discussions among the party's top leadership, said sources. Anticipating Gandhi's press conference on Friday, the BJP had prepared a list to counter him, said sources. The Congress leadership was tight-lipped on the reasons for the cancellation.
Security 'Concern'
Security personnel at Parliament called up wildlife rescuers on Friday as a winged visitor flew into the building complex. NGO Wildlife SOS rescued a rose-ringed parakeet, which appeared disoriented and was unable to fly. The security officers saw the bird motionless, prompting them to seek help. The parakeet was taken away in a ventilated box.
Landing In A Quandary
Andhra Bhavan in New Delhi is at the centre of an unusual dispute. Around 0.37 acres of the prime 11.5-acre property is learnt to have been encroached upon by 30 to 40 families who have also set up two places of religious worship there. While the Telugu Desam Party government plans to evict the encroachers, the religious structures are likely to stay, sources said.