Two key clearances secured for Lionel Messi’s Kerala visit: State Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman
Thiruvananthapuram: In a significant development for football fans, Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman has reportedly confirmed that two key approvals have been obtained for Argentina's national team, led by Lionel Messi, to play in Kerala.
Speaking in the assembly, Abdurahiman said approvals from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports have been secured.
He stated that further formalities are underway, and additional updates will be shared once all required procedures are completed.
In November last year, Abdurahiman had announced that Messi and the Argentina squad would visit Kerala for two friendly matches in 2025. However, the absence of official updates since then has sparked speculation about the plan's feasibility.
Meanwhile, the minister also revealed that an international stadium is being planned at the Malappuram-Kozhikode border. Calicut University has reportedly agreed to allocate 35 acres for the project, and construction will commence soon.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
‘Not water, poison was distributed’: Rahul Gandhi targets BJP govt over Indore deaths
New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government over the contamination of drinking water in Indore, where at least ten people have died following a diarrhoea outbreak.
Rahul Gandhi said, "In Indore, there was no water, just poison being distributed, while the administration slumbered like Kumbhakarna." He alleged that the tragedy exposed administrative failure in a city that has repeatedly topped the Centre’s ‘cleanest city’ rankings.
"Mourning has spread from home to home, the poor are helpless, and to top it off, arrogant statements from BJP leaders. Those whose hearths have gone cold needed solace; the government served up hubris instead," he said in a post on X.
His remarks came amid controversy over comments made by Madhya Pradesh Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, who had snapped at journalists when questioned about the deaths caused by contaminated water.
According to officials, the deaths were linked to a diarrhoea outbreak triggered by toxic substances in the drinking water supply. Laboratory tests conducted by a city-based medical college confirmed that sewage had leaked into the water pipeline near a newly constructed public toilet in the Bhagirathpura area.
Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Dubey reportedly said, "We are closely examining the entire drinking water supply pipeline to find out if there is any leakage elsewhere." He said water supply had been restored but people had been urged to boil the water before drinking it.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav visited Indore, met patients, and chaired a review meeting, promising that such a tragedy would not be repeated and that action would follow the investigation report.
So far, two Public Health Engineering Department officials have been suspended and one has been dismissed. A three-member committee has been constituted to probe the incident. The state government has announced compensation of ₹2 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives.
इंदौर में पानी नहीं, ज़हर बंटा और प्रशासन कुंभकर्णी नींद में रहा।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 2, 2026
घर-घर मातम है, गरीब बेबस हैं - और ऊपर से BJP नेताओं के अहंकारी बयान। जिनके घरों में चूल्हा बुझा है, उन्हें सांत्वना चाहिए थी; सरकार ने घमंड परोस दिया।
लोगों ने बार-बार गंदे, बदबूदार पानी की शिकायत की - फिर भी…
