The political sphere in India saw a major announcement as the **National Democratic Alliance (NDA) officially named CP Radhakrishnan**, the current Governor of Maharashtra, as its candidate for the Vice-Presidential elections. The decision was made during a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Parliamentary Board meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Radhakrishnan thanked the Prime Minister and pledged to work for the nation.
Meanwhile, the ongoing political discourse surrounding electoral integrity intensified. The **Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued an ultimatum to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi**, demanding he file an affidavit or apologize to the nation concerning his allegations of "vote chori" (vote theft) related to the Bihar elections. Rahul Gandhi, currently on his "Vote Adhikar Yatra," has continued to question the EC's conduct, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also backing the Congress on these claims. The Centre has also cautioned the Supreme Court against judicial overreach, stating that the judiciary cannot assume powers not vested in the Constitution.
The nation also mourned several tragic incidents. In Gujarat, **seven women and children were among eight people charred to death** in a horrific car-SUV collision in Surendranagar. According to police reports, the individuals inside the car were unable to escape the vehicle after it caught fire.
Jammu and Kashmir experienced severe weather, with **cloudbursts and landslides in the Kathua district leading to at least seven fatalities**. Separately, Kerala's Kozhikode district reported concerning health news, with a **9-year-old girl succumbing to a 'brain-eating amoeba' infection**, making it one of three such cases in the area.
In other news, former Odisha Chief Minister **Naveen Patnaik was hospitalized** due to age-related ailments.