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Kerala’s chief minister dies at the age of 101; many celebrities, including the prime minister, expressed grief

Veteran CPI(M) leader and former Chief Minister of Kerala, V. S. Achuthanandan, died peacefully after a heart attack at 101, concluding a long, remarkable career in Indian politics that began under the freedom struggle and extended for more than a century. VS Achuthanandan served as the Chief Minister of Kerala from 2006 to 2011. Over the years, he was elected to the state legislative assembly seven times and served three terms as the Leader of the Opposition, where his voice stood strong and unwavering. Several senior party leaders rushed to the hospital to pay their final respects and bid farewell to a towering figure in Kerala’s political history. Govindan and several other Left leaders reached the hospital to offer their respects and bid farewell to the veteran leader. Tributes also came from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and other national figures. The Kerala government announced three days of state mourning beginning July 22, during which all schools, government offices, statutory bodies, public sector units, and autonomous institutions will close. The national flag will fly at half-mast atop all government buildings across the state. PM Modi expressed condolences Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to his social media platform ‘X’ to express his heartfelt condolences on the demise of former Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan. Sharing his sorrow, he wrote, “I am deeply pained by the passing of Shri VS Achuthanandan. Throughout his life, he was devoted to serving the public and made a lasting impact on Kerala’s growth and progress. His legacy will always be remembered.” The Prime Minister also recalled the period when both he and Achuthanandan served as Chief Ministers, saying it brought back many memories of their time in leadership. Extending his sympathies, he added, “In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with his family and all those who admired and respected him.” Who was VS Achuthanandan? VS Achuthanandan was born on October 20, 1923, in Kerala’s Alappuzha district, marking the beginning of a life that would later leave a lasting impact on the state’s political landscape. He came from a poor family. Achutanandan’s life was full of struggle since childhood. Let us tell you that he started politics from a tailor’s shop and became the Chief Minister while fighting for the rights of laborers. He was known for his unwavering commitment to social justice. Achuthanandan dedicated his entire life to the rights of agricultural workers and laborers. He contested a total of 10 elections in his 40 years of political life, out of which he won 7. He even spent 5.6 years in jail before becoming the Chief Minister. In the year 2006, he became the Chief Minister of Kerala at the age of 82. He was the oldest person to take oath as Chief Minister in the history of India.

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Jagdeep Dhankhar Resignation: Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from the post of Vice President, now who will be the next Vice President of India?

India’s 14th Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankhar, announced his resignation from his post on Monday night. According to the report, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has resigned due to health reasons. Now after Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation, elections will have to be held “as soon as possible” to appoint his successor. Due to the sudden resignation from the post, now the question has arisen: what will be the next process? In how many days will the election of the next vice president take place? So, who will take over as the next Vice President of India? Here’s everything you need to know about the role and the upcoming selection… Expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and the President Jagdeep Dhankhar has resigned his vice-presidential office on medical grounds, informing the President in a succinct letter: “To prioritize health care, as advised, I hereby, under Article 67(A), …step down from the office with immediate effect.” The statement, though concise, carries a tone of warmth and respect. Dhankhar extended sincere thanks to Prime Minister Modi, acknowledging his unwavering support and insightful guidance as a source of great personal growth. He also mentioned that the trust, respect, and goodwill shown by the members of Parliament would remain etched in his memory. He assumed the vice-presidency in August 2022, the full term running to 2027, but walked away on the Monsoon Session’s opening day. These names are being discussed The process of election of the new vice president will start only after President Draupadi Murmu approves the resignation. At present, there is no official confirmation about any name. But political movements have intensified on social media, and many names are being discussed. Users are staking their claims on many names regarding the successor of Jagdeep Dhankhar. Let us tell you that the claims made include the names of the Deputy Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, the country’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor, and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. However, it will be known in the coming time who will sit in the vice president’s chair. Ministry of Home Affairs has conveyed resignation of Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar under Article 67A of the Constitution with immediate effect. pic.twitter.com/xZDG0IG8Rr — ANI (@ANI) July 22, 2025 How is the election held? According to the Constitution, in the event of the Vice President’s death, resignation, or vacancy due to any reason, it is necessary to conduct elections as soon as possible. In such a situation, the election process is likely to start soon. Let us tell you that voting in such elections is secret. This election takes place under the Proportional Representation System. In simple words, each MP casts one vote. Who can be elected as vice president? To contest for the post of vice president, the candidate must be a citizen of India and at least 35 years of age. A security deposit of ₹15,000 is required to be submitted to the Election Commission. However, if the candidate fails to secure at least one-sixth of the total valid votes, this deposit is forfeited.

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Senior Akali leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa passes away, a wave of mourning in Punjab politics

Punjab politics has suffered a major setback today. Senior Akali leader and former Union Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa passed away today. He was 88 years old and had been ill for the last several months. His death has sent a wave of mourning through the political, social, and Sikh communities. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa has been one of the prominent faces of the Shiromani Akali Dal. He started his political career with student politics and later became an MLA and MP several times. In the central government, he also held the responsibility of many important ministries, including the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. Dhindsa was associated with the Shiromani Akali Dal for a long time, but later he broke away from the party and formed ‘Shiromani Akali Dal (United)’. His political life is known for discipline, clear ideology, and commitment to farmers’ issues. Many senior leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, a nd Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, have expressed deep condolences on his demise. The Prime Minister tweeted, “The demise of Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa ji is extremely sad. He served Punjab and the country for years. His contribution will never be forgotten.” According to family sources, his last rites will be performed tomorrow in his native village in Sangrur district. Many political and social leaders will attend the occasion. With the demise of Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Punjab has lost an experienced, thoughtful, and public-spirited leader.

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