BJP-led NDA will form govt in Kerala in 2026: Nitin Nabin
Thrissur (Kerala) (PTI): BJP national president Nitin Nabin on Saturday asserted that the saffron party will come to power in Kerala following the Assembly elections this year as it has the confidence of the people in the state.
Nabin, on the second day of his two-day visit to the state, said that the central government has done a lot for Kerala which included a 23 per cent increase in the loans given to it and doubling of the grants-in-aid provided to the state.
"The central government has never shown a miserly attitude towards the state and these figures are indicative of that," the BJP president contended while speaking at the 'Intellectual Meet on Union Budget 2026 and Vikasitha Kerala' here.
Addressing the gathering, Nabin said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Viksit Bharat Budget 2026 aligns with the aspirations of the people of Kerala, unlocking massive growth opportunities in Tourism, the Rare Earth Corridor, High-Value Crops, and more.
He also claimed that for decades, the successive LDF-UDF governments in Kerala have led to stagnation of the state's growth and decline of various sectors.
He contended that the state needs structural change, fresh ideas, and visionary leadership and the BJP-led NDA remains committed to delivering a 'Vikasita Keralam' (developed Kerala).
Nabin further claimed that world over people were coming together to fight "Islamic forces", but "some people sitting in Kerala are strongly supporting such forces".
He said that this was an "unfortunate situation" prevailing in Kerala and alleged that it would adversely affect the nation's security and development.
The BJP president said that once the party-led NDA comes to power in Kerala, it would protect the state's cultural history while ensuring its development.
"Women, youth and farmers would be empowered, and an environment would be created for the growth of business," he contended.
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Rupee falls 32 paise to all-time low of 95.20 against US dollar
Mumbai, Apr 30 (PTI): The rupee depreciated 32 paise to an all-time low of 95.20 against the US dollar in early trade on Thursday, weighed down by elevated Brent crude oil prices, hovering around USD 122 per barrel, and strong American currency.
Forex traders said the USD/INR pair may see further downside, as rising crude oil prices are likely to sharply impact India's import costs, while concerns over potential wider conflict in West Asia are fuelling investor anxiety.
Meanwhile, the US dollar added to gains after the US FED Reserve kept rates unchanged. Safe-haven demand was also boosted by another diplomatic setback between Washington and Tehran.
At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 95.01 against the US dollar, then lost some ground and touched an all-time low of 95.20 against the US dollar in initial trade, registering a fall of 32 paise over its previous close.
On Wednesday, the rupee depreciated 20 paise to close at an all-time low of 94.88 against the US dollar.
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"The main effect on the rupee has been from the rising oil prices, which touched USD 120 per barrel and looked headed for further upside as the US continues with its blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran does not allow any ship/tanker to pass through the Strait of Hormuz," said Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executive Director Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP.
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.01 per cent higher at 98.96.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading higher by 3.16 per cent at USD 121.76 per barrel in futures trade.
On the domestic equity market front, Sensex tumbled 821.79 points to 76,674.57 in early trade, while the Nifty dived 287.3 points to 23,890.35.
Foreign Institutional Investors offloaded equities worth Rs 2,468.42 crore on Wednesday, according to exchange data.
"FPIs continue with their sale of Indian Equities and debt (the yield touched 7 per cent on Wednesday) and are also dollar buyers consistently," Bhansali added.
