Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi win from Kerala as it is 'mini-Pakistan', says BJP's Nitesh Rane
Pune: Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane has sparked a major controversy with a divisive comment, calling Kerala "Mini Pakistan" and linking the state to the electoral success of Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi.
Speaking at a rally in Purandar Taluka in Pune, Rane remarked, "Kerala is mini Pakistan that is why Rahul Gandhi and his sister are elected from there. All terrorists vote for them. This is the truth, you can ask. They have become MPs after taking terrorists with them.”
In his speech, Rane also sought to reassure Hindutva workers, pledging state support to those advocating for the ideology. "You are not alone. We are with you as the government. The state has a saffron-clad Chief Minister. Hindutva activists need not fear anything. If anyone acts illegally against Hindus or the religion, we will not spare them," he asserted.
Meanwhile, the comments have drawn sharp reactions from various political figures. "Ask BJP President J.P. Nadda whether the BJP will contest the next election in Kerala or not. These unconstitutional statements are repeatedly made by BJP leaders against the Constitution,” said Congress leader Pawan Khera.
The Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has urged Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis to take cognizance of the controversial statement.
Rane, who secured a victory in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections from the Kankavli seat, now holds the portfolio of fisheries and ports in the new cabinet.
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Trump says EU has until July 4 to approve last year's trade deal or it will face higher tariffs
Washington (AP): President Donald Trump has said in a social media post that goods from the European Union would face higher tariff rates if the 27-member bloc fails to approve last year's trade framework by July 4.
The announcement on Thursday appeared to be a deadline extension after the president said last Friday that EU autos would face a higher 25 per cent tariff starting this week. Trump made the updated announcement after what he described as a "great call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Still, the US president was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the US Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks.
"A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!" Trump posted. "I agreed to give her until our Country's 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels."
It was unclear from the post whether Trump was implying that the tariff rates would jump on all EU goods or the increase would only apply to autos.
His latest statement indicates he might be backing away from his earlier threat on EU autos by giving the European Parliament several more weeks to approve the agreement.
Under the original terms of the framework, the US would charge a 15 per cent tax on most goods imported from the EU.
But since the Supreme Court ruling, the administration has levied a 10 per cent tariff while investigating trade imbalances and national security issues, aiming to put in new tariffs to make up for lost revenues.
