The appointment of BJP's Bhartuhari Mahtab as pro-tem Speaker for the 18th Lok Sabha has upset the INDIA bloc. They claim the BJP ignored tradition by not selecting the senior-most member, K Suresh, a Dalit leader. Opposition parties, including Congress, are withdrawing members from the chairpersons' panel in protest. The government argues Mahtab's uninterrupted tenure justifies the decision. Tensions rise as the INDIA bloc, holding 234 seats, prepares to challenge the ruling NDA on various issues, including the ongoing NEET controversy.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee expressed anger over being excluded from talks between PM Narendra Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina on the Teesta water-sharing pact and the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty renewal. Banerjee, who opposes the Teesta water-sharing deal, is seeking support from her INDIA bloc allies and may write a formal complaint to PM Modi. She criticized the decision to manage Teesta water without consulting the West Bengal government, questioning federal unity. The Teesta pact has been pending since 2011 due to Banerjee's concerns about water shortages in North Bengal.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court's decision to stay his bail in the liquor policy case. The High Court had halted the trial court's bail order and postponed proceedings until June 25. Kejriwal's plea argues against the stay, citing violations of legal principles in denying bail and alleging a politically motivated case. He seeks urgent Supreme Court intervention, scheduled for Monday.

The inaugural session of the 18th Lok Sabha commences tomorrow with 280 newly-elected MPs, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, swearing their oaths. The session will include the election of the Lok Sabha Speaker on June 26 and President Droupadi Murmu's address to a joint sitting on June 27. The appointment of Bhartruhari Mahtab as pro tem Speaker has sparked controversy, with opposition criticizing the decision. The session marks a pivotal moment post-general elections, highlighting the BJP-led NDA's majority and anticipated legislative agenda.

Suraj Revanna, JD(S) MLC and grandson of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, was arrested on Saturday for allegedly sodomizing a 27-year-old male party worker at his farmhouse in Holenarasipura Taluk. The assault reportedly occurred on June 16. Revanna, who denies the charges, was booked under IPC sections 377 (unnatural sex) and 506 (criminal intimidation). Meanwhile, the police have also registered a case against the complainant and his relative for allegedly attempting to extort ₹5 crore from Revanna by threatening to file a false sexual assault case if their demands were not met.

Janata Dal-Secular leader Suraj Revanna brother of Prajwal Revanna has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 27-year-old male party worker at a farmhouse in Karnataka's Hassan district. The worker filed a complaint on June 16, accusing Revanna of assault. Revanna denies the charge, claiming the worker demanded ₹5 crore and filed a false complaint when he refused. Revanna's friend Shivkumar has also filed a complaint, alleging the worker blackmailed them after failing to get a job. The incident comes as Suraj's brother, Prajwal Revanna, faces allegations of sex crimes from multiple women. The case has sparked a political controversy in the state.

A sexual assault case has been filed against Suraj Revanna, JD(S) MLC and brother of former MP Prajwal Revanna, alleging an assault at his farmhouse on June 16. The complainant accused Suraj of forcefully kissing, biting, and threatening him. Suraj purportedly promised political support afterward. Earlier, Suraj and an associate reported blackmail over a false assault claim. Prajwal Revanna recently faced judicial custody on separate charges. The case intensifies scrutiny on the Revanna family amidst legal challenges.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has accused authorities of protecting Sanjeev Mukhiya, a key figure in the NEET paper leak scandal, due to his political connections. Yadav claims Mukhiya's links with prominent politicians are preventing his arrest, and he has vowed to reveal evidence if the investigation is not conducted impartially. This statement follows the release of a photo showing Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary with another accused, Amit Anand. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha countered, alleging Yadav's own connections with the accused. The scandal has intensified scrutiny of the NEET-UG 2024, affecting over 24 lakh candidates.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will campaign for Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in her Wayanad electoral debut, according to TMC sources. This alliance stems from Mamata’s earlier suggestion for Priyanka to contest against PM Modi in Varanasi. The decision followed a meeting on June 20 between Banerjee, Priyanka, and P. Chidambaram. Priyanka expressed her commitment to representing Wayanad, while recent electoral shifts saw Rahul Gandhi retain Rae Bareli. Tensions within the Congress, particularly with Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, influenced this development, leading to his resignation as Bengal Congress chief.

Suraj Revanna, a JD(S) leader and brother of former MP Prajwal Revanna, alleges threats of a false sexual assault case. His friend Shivkumar filed a complaint against Chethan and his brother-in-law, claiming they demanded ₹5 crore, threatening to accuse Suraj of sexual abuse. Chethan initially sought help for a job but began blackmailing after failing to secure one. Chethan later appeared on TV, accusing Suraj of abuse. This comes after Prajwal Revanna was placed in judicial custody over sexual abuse allegations, with explicit videos circulated in Hassan ahead of the recent Lok Sabha polls.