tirupati l thursday l january 29, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l late city EDITION Potential bidders for RCB as Rajasthan valued at over $1 bn After months of speculation, reports suggest that over 50 companies have showed an interest in acquiring defending IPL champions representative image $2 billion buzz on bengaluru’s future 4 potential buyers for Rajasthan royals As RCB are one of the most valuable franchises, companies hoping to buy them will have to shell out top dollar. Several reports suggest $2bn but that figure may not be hit. While several Indian companies have shown interest, including vaccine giant, Serum, other names includes Temasek (Singapore), US based businessman, David Blitzer ■ ■ Rajasthan Royals have received a few proposals and the franchise is studying them. The cheapest franchise when they were bought in 2008, it’s expected that any deal will fetch them over a billion. American investor Kal Somani, Times Internet Group, Blackstone and Carlyl Group are reportedly interested in buying the team $1.3bn Four RR bidders have offered as initial bids CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI Maha shocker as Ajit Pawar dies in jet crash Industrial activity Four others including two pilots perish; state’s ruling coalition in turmoil; last rites to be held today in Baramati poor visibility, later cleared to laND 1 Ajit Pawar was a leader of the people... his passion for empowering the poor were noteworthy. His untimely demise is saddening A stand was floated from Kolkata that there is politics involved in this incident. There is no politics in it. It was an accident Narendra Modi, Prime Minister The aircraft VI-SSK was trying to land amid poor visibility. It first came in contact with Baramati Air Traffic Controller at 8.18 am 2 Its next call was at 30 nautical miles inbound to Baramati; advised to descend in “visual meteorological conditions” at the pilot’s discretion 3 On first approach to Runway 11, pilot said the runway was not visible and initiated a go-around. On second attempt, the airstrip was spotted 4 The aircraft was cleared to land on runway 11 at 8.43 am, but failed to respond to Baramati ATC. Next minute, it was up in flames Sharad Pawar, NCP chief fatal landings Sanjay Gandhi (1980) Congress leader; died June 23 in a plane crash near Safdarjung Airport, Delhi Madhavrao Scindia (2001) Senior Congress leader died Sept 30 in plane crash near Mainpuri, UP Lok Sabha Speaker; died March 3 in helicopter crash in Krishna district, AP AP CM; died September 2 in helicopter crash in Nallamala forest First CDS; died Dec 8 in Mi-17V5 crash near Coonoor, TN (14 fatalities) Crash site Ajit Pawar Baramati airstrip 22 July 1959 - 28 January 2026 G M C Balayogi (2002) Y S Rajasekhara Reddy (2009) Gen Bipin Rawat (2021) Aeroplane crashes near runway Vijay Rupani (2025) Ex-Gujarat CM; died June 12 in Air India Boeing 787 crash in Ahmedabad (270 total deaths) sud h i r surya w a n s h i @ Mumbai MAHARASHTRA Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others were killed when their chartered aircraft crashed barely 200 metres from the edge of a tabletop runway at Baramati airstrip in Pune district on Wednesday morning. FlightRadar data showed the aircraft departed Mumbai at 8.10 am and disappeared from radar shortly after 8.44 am. The 66-year-old leader, fondly known as Dada (elder brother), was flying from Mumbai to address zilla parishad election rallies near Pune, when the Learjet 45 crashed during a second landing attempt at 8.44 am. Poor visibility forced the pilot to abort the first approach, but moments after receiving clearance for the second attempt, the aircraft burst into flames near the runway threshold without providing the mandatory readback to air traffic control. Also killed were Captain Sumit Kapoor, co-pilot Shambhavi Pathak, Pawar’s personal security officer Vidit Jadhav, and flight attendant Pinki Mali. All five were declared dead at Baramati hospital. Eyewitnesses described watching the aircraft circle the airfield before it “hit the ground hard and exploded,” with the blast heard across the area. Aviation experts said the tragedy could have been avoided if the runway had been equipped with an instrument landing system to guide pilots through marginal visibility . The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is analysing the black box to determine the exact cause. NCP founder Sharad Pawar, Ajit’s uncle, rushed to Baramati where he said, Ajit’s loss is one “that can never be filled”. Chief Minister Devendra Fad- navis declared three days of state mourning and called Ajit’s death a personal loss, describing him as a “trusted friend.” Ajit Pawar served as deputy CM for a record six terms across governments led by Congress, Shiv Sena, and BJP. After splitting from his uncle’s party in July 2023, he secured 41 assembly seats in alliance with the BJP solidifying , his position in state politics. His last rites will be held on Thursday at Vidya Pratishthan ground in Baramati with full state honours. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend.  P8 grew at its fastest pace in 2 yrs in Dec EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi india’s industrial activity galloped in December last with the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growth accelerating to 7.8% from 7.2% in November 2025, marking the fastest pace in the last 26 months, government data released on Wednesday showed. The manufacturing sector, which has a 77.6% weight in the index, grew 8.1%, slightly slower than 8.5% in November 2025 but higher than 3.7% in December 2024. The sector was supported by 6.8% growth in mining and 6.3% rise in electricity generation. Observing that the growth in factory output in December last exceeded expectations, ICRA’s chief economist Aditi Nayar said the surprise was largely driven by the manufacturing output. She said the growth in this crucial sector was “likely aided by restocking post the festive season, even as the growth in India’s non-oil exports was sluggish in the month”. Within the manufacturing sector, the computer, electronic & optical products category grew 34.9% while the motor vehicles, trailers & semi-trailers segment surged 33.5%. Dipti Deshpande, principal economist at Crisil, said that within manufacturing, GST rationalisation is likely to have benefited sectors like representative image food products and automobiles, but export-oriented sectors such as apparel, textiles and chemicals saw moderate IIP growth. As per the use-based classification, primary goods and consumer sectors provided traction. Consumer durables rose 12.3% and non-durables surged 8.3%. Deshpande said that going forward, while domestic tailwinds should support demand in consumer segments for a few more quarters, the adverse impact of higher US tariffs on export segments could get more pronounced. However, a trade deal with the US, reducing the tariff to closer to levels faced by peers, could help matters, she added. IIP growth accelerated to a 6-quarter high of 5.2% in Q3 FY2026 from 4.3% in Q2, reflecting the improvement in the performance of the manufacturing and mining sectors. Wait for SIT report on Cricket team says no, but Bangladesh shooters set for India visit ghee scam, CM tells Mins i n dr a n eel d a s @ Chennai S V i s w a n at h @ Vijayawada The issue of adulterated ghee supplied to Tirumala was discussed at length by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu with his Cabinet colleagues in an informal interaction after the Cabinet meeting. It is learnt that, based on reports citing the chargesheet recently filed by the Special Investigation Team in court, ministers informed Naidu that the findings had exposed the role of YSRCP leaders in the adulterated ghee scam. However, sources said the Chief Minister advised his colleagues to respond to the issue only after the SIT report is officially received. While stating that the YSRCP was indulging in false propaganda on the ghee issue despite the SIT revealing that adulterated ghee was supplied to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams during the YSRCP regime, ministers pointed out that the dairies awarded the contract manufactured ghee using chemicals and supplied it to the TTD for preparing prasadam. According to sources, when ministers said that the YSRCP was still attempting to shift the blame onto the present government, the Chief Minister remarked that the criminal mindset of the YSRCP remained unchanged. Sources further said the Chief Minister told the ministers, “You have seen how the YSRCP manipulated the Kodi Kathi, Babai murder and Gulakarayi cases. YSRCP leaders commit mistakes and then try to blame us. Let us talk about the issue after getting the SIT report.” Urging all ministers to remain alert and be thoroughly prepared to respond to political issues, the CM shared how he has been preparing himself on P4 every subject since 1985.  DAYS after the Bangladesh cricket team was replaced by Scotland after they refused to travel to India citing security reasons, their shooting team, comprising of two shooters and other support staff, have seemingly confirmed their participation at the Asian Shooting express read Lokesh orders rules to ban SM for children Vijayawada: Minister for HRD and IT Nara Lokesh directed the officials to formulate guidelines to restrict the usage of social media by minor children. Chairing the meeting of the Committee of Ministers tasked with strengthening social media accountability, Lokesh suggested the officials study policies being implemented in Singapore, Australia, Malaysia and France on banning social media to children. He wanted them to prepare the rules as per the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court | P4 Championships, to be held in Delhi from February 2 to 14. Two of their shooters — Shaira Arefin and Md Robiul Islam — are set to take part in the individual as well as mixed team in the 10m air rifle category. The two have been given clearance by the ministries concerned and the Indian High Commission in Dhaka has been requested to help them with visa formalities. This was confirmed by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) as well. Its secretary, Rajiv Bhatia, while speaking with this daily, said that they have sought all clearances from ministries and as of now their counterparts in Bangladesh have confirmed participa- tion. “They have confirmed and are coming for the championships,” he said. “We have sought clearance from Ministry of External Affairs, Home and sports ministries. We are in touch with Bangladesh team and players. They have confirmed participation and are coming. As of now there is no change.” Interestingly, the cricket team refused to travel to India days after BCCI directed Kolkata Knight Riders to drop Mustafizur Rahman from the roster. Reports in Bangladesh indicate the team has got government nod as well. Refusal to travel might incur the wrath of international shooting federation (ISSF) as well as the International Olympic Committee. UGC controversial regulation: SC agrees to list plea S U C HIT R A K A LYAN M O HANT Y @ New Delhi The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to list for hearing a plea challenging the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) controversial new regulations meant to address caste-based discrimination in universities and colleges. The plea by Rahul Diwan challenges the UGC’s Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Regulations, 2026 on the grounds that caste-based discrimination is defined as dis- crimination only against members of the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). The lawyer appearing for petitioner Diwan and others sought an urgent hearing of the plea, arguing that the new regulations overlook the possibility of discrimination against those from general or non-reserved categories. “There is a possibility of discrimination against the general class. My case is Rahul Di- wan and others versus the Union,” the lawyer submitted. Responding to Diwan’s prayer, the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, said: “We know what is happening. Make sure the defects are cured. We will list it.” The new UGC regulations, which mandate all higher education institutions to constitute “equity committees” to look into complaints of discrimination and promote equity, were notified on January 13. Two other pleas have already been filed in the top court challenging the notification on similar grounds, alleging the exclusion of certain categories from institutional protection. A plea filed by Vineet Jindal sought a direction from the apex court restraining the Centre and the UGC from enforcing or acting upon the new regulations in its current, exclusionary form. Protests against the new rules intensified in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, with large-scale demonstrations in Deoria. Nallamala to get 120 Indian Gaurs from Madhya Pradesh, proposal pending with Centre K M A D H U S U D HA K A R @ Kurnool In a major step towards wildlife restoration and biodiversity conservation, the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department has decided to reintroduce the endangered Indian gaur, also known as Indian bison, into the Nallamala forests under the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR). This ambitious plan marks the return of the majestic species to Nallamala after nearly 160 years, reviving an ecological presence that once thrived in the region. The decision gains signifi- cance against the backdrop of a recent, rare sighting of a solitary male Indian gaur in the dense Nallamala forests. In July 2024, the animal was sighted four to six times in the Atmakur Nallamala forest division of Nandyal district. Forest staff spotted the gaur in the Bairluti, Atmakur and Velugodu forest ranges during routine monitoring between July and October 2024. According to officials, the animal, believed to be around 10 years old, is suspected to have migrated from the forest ghats of Karnataka after crossing the River Krishna and trav- FILE PHOTO elling hundreds of kilometres. “This could either be a solitary animal or an indicator of more gaurs moving into the forest. We are closely monitoring its movement to assess the situation,” an official said, referring to the sighting reported by his subordinates in 2024. Historically gaurs inhabited , the Nallamala forests over a century ago but later disappeared due to habitat loss and human activity . At present, they are commonly found in the Paderu and Araku forest divisions of Andhra Pradesh. Speaking to TNIE, NSTR Field Director and Nandyal district Conservator of Forests B Vijaya Kumar said proposals for the reintroduction project have already been sent to the Central government. “We have made arrangements to bring the animals from Madhya Pradesh. However, we are currently assessing habitat suitability, availability of resources, protection measures and overall conservation preparedness. The plan is to introduce them in the next winter season,” he said. As part of the initiative, as many as 120 male and female gaurs will be introduced follow- ing the scientifically recommended male-female ratio prescribed by the Wildlife Institute of India and the National Tiger Conservation Authority. The NSTR spans 5,937 sq km, of which 3,737 sq km lies across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The Nallamala forests stretch across the undivided Kurnool, Prakasam districts in Andhra Pradesh and Mahbubnagar, Nalgonda districts in Telangana, with a core tiger habitat of 2,444 sq km. Officials believe the reintroduction of gaurs will strengthen the forest ecosystem.