CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOGGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI ■ ■ BHUBANESWAR  TUESDAY  JULY 22, 2025  `9.00  PAGES 14  LATE CITY EDITION A N I L S @ T’Puram E ND of 1990s. The E K Nayanar-led Left government was in power in Kerala. It was around the time Pinarayi Vijayan was set for his first tenure as CPM state secretary A . section of leaders were eyeing a new political combine — to get the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) into the LDF fold, with an eye on cementing a long-term rule for the Left front in the state. Informal talks were held at varying levels between senior leaders. Several possibilities were dis- who was incapacitated following a stroke in 2019, was undergoing treatment at a private hospital following a cardiac arrest on June 23. A founding leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), VS began his political career as a trade unionist and was later seen at the forefront of land struggles. The Communist movement in Kerala, since its inception in 1939, evolved with VS. He was the last among the 32 leaders who walked out of the historic CPI national council meet in 1964 to form the CPI (M). In many ways, the influence wielded by VS in the CPM has line that till date underscores how both the Left and the Congress remain relevant in their fight against the saffron front in Kerala’s political landscape. To VS, it was simple logic: UDF minus the IUML would naturally weaken the Congress and Hindutva forces would rush in to take its space. He didn’t want that to happen. Ve l i k k a k at h S a n k a r a n Achuthanandan, who passed away on Monday, remains an unparallelled Communist, the biggest crowd puller in recent times, last of the old-school Marxists, and one of the greatest mass leaders Kerala has ever seen. The 101-year-old, cussed. But one question kept bothering them — who would tell VS, the LDF convener and the most powerful leader who called the shots in the front? IUML leader Kutty Ahammed Kutty, who shared a warm rapport with VS, was handed the task. Kutty conveyed the idea to VS, who heard him through. And, without batting an eyelid, VS said something that is now part of the state’s political lore: “Kutty, it is not yet time for the Congress to die in Kerala!” A deeply insightful statement especially relevant in the current political scenario. Ignoring short-term political gains, the far-sighted leader batted for a ILLUSTRATION: MANDAR PARDIKAR Last of the old-school Marxists VS ACHUTHANANDAN | 20 OCT 1923 - 21 JULY 2025 its intrinsic roots in the quirkiness of modern-day factionalism in the party. His 1996 defeat in the Marxist bastion of Mararikulam, was a turning point. The simmering resentment brought out the vengeful politician in VS, leading to the historic 1998 Vettinirathal—a total elimination of the CITU lobby in the party Then began the murki. est and most spiteful episode— VS vs Pinarayi—that lasted for two decades. VS transformed himself into a popular leader by taking up people’s issues and advocating for environmental protection and women safety . His deliberate makeover through careful interventions in social issues shaped up the mass leader he became. He devoted many years of his life to public service and Kerala’s progress. I recall our interactions Prime Minister Narendra Modi A champion of the poor, he upheld the values of principled politics through bold decisions Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader A glorious era of revolutionary will and persistence comes to an end with the passing of our beloved comrade Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Dhankhar springs a 16-hr discussion in LS on Op Sindoor next week surprise, quits as V-P Congress agrees to proposal since Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be abroad from June 23-26 P R E E T H A N A I R @ New Delhi RAJESH KUMAR THAKUR @ New Delhi IN an unexpected development that sparked intense speculation, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar put in his papers on Monday evening, citing medical advice. His resignation stirred the already turbulent political waters, particularly because there was no hint of it right through the day. He continued to perform his parliamentary duties as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and had fixed a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee on Tuesday at 1 pm. Dhankhar, 74, had assumed office in August 2022 and his tenure was till August 2027. Citing the necessity to adh e re t o m e d i c a l a dv i c e, Dhankhar submitted his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu. The timing of the resignation — on the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament — was odd. The opposition found it inexplicable, saying there was far more to his unexpected resignation than meets the eye. It also led to speculation on his possible successor. As per Article 68 of the Constitution, an election to fill the V-P vacancy occurring due to his death, resignation or removal, or otherwise will be held as soon as possible. Till the time of filing this report, the President had not accepted the resignation. In his letter, Dhankhar wrote: “To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the BUMRAH TO PLAY IN MANCHESTER THIRD VICE PRESIDENT TO PUT IN HIS PAPERS Dhankhar became the third Vice President of India after V V Giri and R Venkataraman to resign before completing their tenure. Both Giri and Venkataraman had resigned so as to contest the presidential election Vice-President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution.” Expressing his gratitude to the President, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the council of ministers, he wrote, “Prime Minister’s cooperation and support have been invaluable, and I have learned much during my time in office... As I leave this esteemed office, I am filled with pride in Bharat’s global rise and phenomenal achievement and hold unwavering confidence in her brilliant future.” Dhankhar’s resignation came days before the departure of Modi on a two-nation visit. Sources revealed that he had hinted at his decision to resign during the latter half of Monday, reportedly taking the PM P9 by surprise. India pacer Mohammed Siraj confirmed on Monday that Jasprit Bumrah will play the fourth Test beginning on Wednesday. Focus was on all-rounder Anshul Kamboj during nets | P13 EVEN as the first day of the Monsoon session of Parliament witnessed ruckus and adjournments, the government agreed to hold a 16-hour discussion on the recent Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha next week. The decision was taken at the meeting of the Business Advisory Committee. Though the Opposition initially objected to the timing of the debate, the Congress said that it will abide by the proposal of the government. While the government’s floor managers pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be abroad from June 23-26, the Opposition insisted that the discussion should start immediately followed by the PM’s reply . Later in the evening, at a meeting of floor leaders, the Congress decided that it will wait until Modi’s return for the discussions on the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor to take place. “We will ask the government to hold the discussions as soon as the PM returns from the trip,” said a leader who attended the meeting. The leader told this paper that the party will hold a meeting with the floor leaders of INDIA bloc leaders on Tuesday and will take a final call. At the BAC meeting, Opposi- ED crossing all limits, need guidelines: CJI S U C H I T R A K A LYA N M O H A N T Y @ New Delhi THE Enforcement Directorate is “crossing all limits”, the Superme Court observed on Monday while hearing a case on the probe agency , summoning advocates who offered legal opinion or represented parties. “Communication between lawyers and clients is privileged. How can notices be issued against them... they (ED) are crossing all limits,” Chief Justice of India B R Gavai said, and suggested the need for drawing up guidelines. B R Gavai, Chief The bench, also comprising Justice of India Justice K Vinod Chandran, had on July 8 taken suo motu cognisance of the ED summoning senior lawyers Arvind Datar and Pratap Venugopal. The ED later withdrew its summons. Attorney General R Venkataramani and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also agreed that lawyers can’t be summoned. The ED was in the line of fire in another case too, where the bench upheld the Karnataka HC’s decision to quash the case against CM Siddaramaiah’s wife B M Parvati in the MUDA case. All 12 accused in 7/11 train blasts acquitted by HC Odisha NSUI president arrested for rape; Congress suspends him S U D H I R S U R YA W A N S H I @ Mumbai E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ Bhubaneswar THE Bombay High Court on Monday acquitted all 12 accused in the 2006 train blast case as it set aside the special MCOCA court’s order handing death sentence to five and life term to seven accused, saying it was “hard to believe” they committed the crime. Nineteen years ago, on July 11, 2006, seven bombs ripped through Mumbai’s local trains killing 189 and maiming 820 travellers. The bombs were timed to go off during the evening rush to inflict maximum pain. In the order, a bench of Justices Anil Kilor and Shyam Chandak cited several reasons for overturning the 2015 verdict of the special court. The bench noted that the evidence was not properly collected and presented. The first arrest was made on July 20, 2006 followed by continuous arrests. CONTINUED ON P7 IN a major embarrassment for Congress which is spearheading the fight against growing crime against women in Odisha, state president of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) Udit Pradhan was arrested late on Sunday night on charges of raping a 19-year-old girl in Bhubaneswar. The incident allegedly took place at a hotel in Mancheswar area of the city on March 18 this year. The victim reportedly came forward to file her complaint with Mancheswar police on Sunday following which Pradhan was arrested. Immediately after his arrest, Pradhan was suspended from NSUI by the Congress. In her complaint, the victim stated that she and her female friend had come to meet a common male friend on the evening of March 18. They were in his car when Pradhan joined them at the Station Square. He was known to their male friend. Pradhan then allegedly took the trio Though the alleged incident had taken place four months back, the victim could not gather courage to file a complaint as she was threatened of dire consequences by the accused Biswaranjan Senapati, ACP to a hotel in Mancheswar and started consuming alcohol. He allegedly spiked her cold drinks after which she became unconscious for around 30 minutes. After gaining consciousness, she realised that she had been sexually assaulted. Additional commissioner of police (ACP) Biswaranjan Senapati told mediapersons that though the alleged incident had taken place four months back, the victim could not gather courage to file a complaint as she was threatened of dire consequences by the accused. Senapati said the victim has written in her complaint that as the state government and police have begun to act seriously on crime against women, she decided to file a complaint against CONTINUED ON P7 Pradhan. 3-day debate, not under specific rule The special discussion on Operation Sindoor and Pahalgam terror attack will be spread over three days and will not be under any specific rule, said a source who attended the BAC meeting tion members protested that the government’s agenda for the week did not mention their demand on Operation Sindoor. Some Opposition members also called for a debate on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar and the situation in Manipur. Earlier, both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day amid noisy protests by the Opposition, which demanded a discussion on Operation Sindoor and other issues. The Lok Sabha saw four adjour nments. Defence minister Rajnath Singh assured the opposition MPs that the government is ready to have a long discussion on all issues the Speaker agrees to. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju appealed to the Opposition to place their demand during the BAC meeting. “The government is ready to reply to all the issues that the Speaker agrees to at the BAC meeting. But to raise slogans and not let the House function on the first day of the Monsoon session is unacceptable,” Rijiju said in the House. The Rajya Sabha, too, saw continuous disruptions despite Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar’s request to the Opposition to allow the House to function. “The government is ready for a discussion. I will meet the leaders and settle for a discussion. And I will ensure fullfledged discussion for as much time as you want,” said Dhankhar.