Battery compartment on Vande Bharat Express from Rani Kamlapati to Nizamuddin catches fire at 5:40am. All passengers safely evacuated. Congress leader Ajay Singh was on board. Defective batteries suspected.

Amit Shah states fight against drugs for better future for the youth. 1.40 lakh kgs. of drugs worth Rs. 2,381crores destroyed. Says aim is to make India drug and narcotics free. Appeals to all Chief Ministers to cooperate.

Farmers in Maharashtra breathe a sigh of relief as cabinet brings supply of food grain seeds and fertilizers under Essential Commodities Act. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis says arrested person under this act will not get easy bail.

The monsoon session of the Maharashtra assembly begins on the 17th of July, to last till August 4th. First polls since the split in NCP. 19 MLAs stand by Sharad Pawar, 30 out 34 stand by Ajit Pawar.

Union Finance Minister Sitharaman says Modi’s US visit important in US-India partnership. Says visit strengthened bonds. Also states meeting will highlight commitment of both in G20 summit. Says it is potential for progress and prosperity.

26 opposition parties come together to meet in Bengaluru. Aims at defeating BJP together in upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. BJP says there is no real bond in between parties, claims important issues have been overlooked.

TMC won the majority in West Bengal Panchayat Polls held earlier this month, defeated BJP clearly. However post poll violence may lose them Lok Sabha elections. Opposition parties may use facts against the state’s ruling government.

AAP leader Raghav Chadha claimed Narendra Modi’s BJP will not return in 2024. Says the ruling party lost sleep seeing unity of the opposition. Claims that citizens and parties are ready to dethrone Modi.