Category: Politics

Politics

MP Tanavade Joins India–Ukraine Friendship Group

Tanisha Cardozo

Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Sadanand Shet Tanavade has been appointed as a Member of the India–Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group, marking a significant step in strengthening parliamentary diplomacy between the two nations. The initiative is aimed at fostering closer engagement between lawmakers of India and Ukraine, encouraging dialogue and cooperation across key areas of mutual interest.

Parliamentary Friendship Groups serve as an important platform for legislators to directly interact with their international counterparts. Through these engagements, members exchange legislative experiences, discuss policy approaches, and build long-term relationships rooted in trust and cooperation. The India–Ukraine group is expected to play a vital role in enhancing bilateral ties, particularly in areas such as trade, technology, social policy, culture, and shared global challenges faced by democracies.

Expressing his gratitude on receiving the appointment, Tanavade thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for placing their trust in him and entrusting him with this responsibility.

Speaking on the occasion, Tanavade said he was honoured to be part of the initiative and looked forward to contributing towards strengthening ties between the two countries. He emphasised the importance of dialogue, cooperation, and mutual understanding in building meaningful international relationships.

His appointment reflects India’s continued commitment to engaging with global partners through parliamentary channels, complementing diplomatic efforts at the governmental level. As geopolitical dynamics evolve, such initiatives are expected to play an increasingly important role in promoting collaboration, stability, and shared progress between nations.

Politics

118th GFDC Board Meeting Chaired by Dr. Deviya Rane Reviews Goa Forest Diversity Festival, Charts Roadmap for Sustainable Ecotourism

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Panaji, January 2026: The 118th Board Meeting of the Goa Forest Development Corporation (GFDC) was chaired by Dr. Deviya Rane, in the presence of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Kamal Datta, Managing Director GFDC K. Ramesh Kumar, General Manager GFDC Amar Heblekar, along with other members of the Board.


The meeting included detailed deliberations on the successful conduct of the recently held Goa Forest Diversity Festival 2026, whose wide impact and outreach resonated across the State of Goa. Members reviewed the outcomes of the festival and discussed strategies to further build on its success in promoting forest conservation, biodiversity awareness and public engagement.

Key discussions also focused on strengthening and upgrading infrastructure at GFDC’s cashew plantations and ecotourism sites. Emphasis was laid on enhancing visitor facilities and activities, while exploring new avenues to expand sustainable ecotourism initiatives across the state.

Additionally, the Board deliberated on the rejuvenation of rubber plantations, with the objective of improving productivity and ensuring long-term sustainability. These initiatives are expected to contribute to enhanced livelihoods while maintaining ecological balance.

The discussions reflected GFDC’s continued commitment to conservation-driven development, livelihood generation and responsible eco-tourism, aligned with Goa’s broader vision of sustainable and environmentally conscious growth.

Politics

BJP+ Wins Mumbai BMC Election for the First Time, Securing Control of India’s Richest Civic Body

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Mumbai; January 2026: In a landmark result, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance has won the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election for the first time, gaining control of India’s richest civic body. The victory also reflects the alliance’s strong performance across municipal corporations in Maharashtra, where it is in the majority on most seats.



The BMC, which manages Mumbai’s vast resources and urban infrastructure, will now be governed by the BJP-led coalition, marking a significant shift in the city’s political landscape. Analysts note that this win consolidates the party’s influence in the state and highlights its electoral strategy in urban centres.

Counting trends showed the BJP-led Mahayuti emerging ahead in key wards, while the combined strength of opposition factions, including the Thackeray brothers, fell short of securing a majority. The results follow a statewide election process that saw polling across 29 municipal corporations and participation from 3.48 crore voters.

The historic BMC win is expected to impact governance priorities, urban development, and political dynamics in Mumbai, India’s financial and commercial hub, while reinforcing the BJP-led alliance’s broader dominance in Maharashtra’s local governance.

Politics

Goa Legislators’ Day to Be Celebrated on January 9 at Secretariat

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa Legislators’ Day will be celebrated on January 9 at the Secretariat, marking an important occasion that honours the contribution of legislators in shaping the democratic and legislative framework of the State.

Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant will address the function, highlighting the role of elected representatives in strengthening governance, democratic values, and public service delivery in Goa. The event is expected to bring together legislators, senior government officials, and members of the administration.

The programme will also feature J M Vyas, Vice Chancellor of the National Forensic Science University (NFSU), Gujarat, as the guest speaker. His address is expected to focus on contemporary governance challenges, institutional strengthening, and the evolving role of policy and law in ensuring transparency and accountability.

Goa Legislators’ Day serves as a platform to reflect on the responsibilities of lawmakers and to reaffirm the State’s commitment to democratic ideals, effective legislation, and people-centric governance.

The annual observance underscores the importance of collaborative efforts between policymakers and institutions in guiding Goa’s progress and development.

Politics

C. P. Radhakrishnan Sworn In as 15th Vice-President of India

Tanisha Cardozo

Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan was officially sworn in as the 15th Vice-President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha on Friday, September 12, 2025, in a grand ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office in the presence of numerous dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, and several former Vice-Presidents such as Jagdeep Dhankhar, Hamid Ansari, and M. Venkaiah Naidu.

This ceremony marked the first public appearance of Mr. Dhankhar since his resignation in July due to health reasons. Accompanied by his wife Sudesh Dhankhar, he was seated in the front row alongside other prominent leaders. Notably, some attendees expressed concerns over seating arrangements, as Mr. Kharge was placed in the second row while other Opposition floor leaders were placed as far back as the fifth row.

After the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi took to social media to congratulate Mr. Radhakrishnan, describing him as a “dedicated public servant” and wishing him a successful tenure in service to the nation.

Later in the day, Mr. Radhakrishnan met with floor leaders of various political parties in Parliament. While key parties such as the Trinamool Congress, Biju Janata Dal, NCP (SP), and Shiv Sena (UBT) skipped the meeting due to short notice, Mr. Radhakrishnan expressed his intention to work inclusively with all parties. He highlighted his own experience as an Opposition leader in Tamil Nadu and underscored the importance of Opposition in a healthy parliamentary democracy. He also reflected on his political lineage, mentioning that his grandfather was aligned with the Left and his uncle with the Congress.

To mark the beginning of his tenure, Mr. Radhakrishnan paid floral tributes at Rajghat to Mahatma Gandhi, at Sadaiv Atal to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and at Kisan Ghat to former Prime Minister Charan Singh. He also visited Prerna Sthal at Parliament House, where relocated statues from the old Parliament building have been preserved.

At Parliament House, he was received warmly by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Harivansh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Ministers of State Arjun Ram Meghwal and L. Murugan, and Rajya Sabha Secretary-General P.C. Mody. In a symbolic gesture, he planted a sapling in the Parliament complex, signaling growth, renewal, and commitment to the future.

Mr. Radhakrishnan’s swearing-in marks a new chapter in the upper house of Parliament, and his inclusive tone in early interactions sets a hopeful tone for collaborative governance.