{"id":39810,"date":"2026-09-19T06:56:34","date_gmt":"2026-09-19T01:26:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petrolnews.in\/live\/bcci-agarkar-future-uncertain-gondhal-oscar-nod-west-bengal-bypolls\/"},"modified":"2026-09-19T06:56:34","modified_gmt":"2026-09-19T01:26:34","slug":"bcci-agarkar-future-uncertain-gondhal-oscar-nod-west-bengal-bypolls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petrolnews.in\/live\/bcci-agarkar-future-uncertain-gondhal-oscar-nod-west-bengal-bypolls\/","title":{"rendered":"BCCI Agarkar Future Uncertain | Gondhal Oscar Nod & West Bengal Bypolls"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/picture><\/div>\n

Good morning! Here\u2019s your quick catch-up on the biggest stories making headlines today.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Bengal\u2019s political contest has taken an unexpected turn, with the Election Commission splitting the Trinamool Congress into two factions with temporary identities. Mamata Banerjee plans to challenge the decision in court, while Nandigram has seen the \u2018Mamata TMC\u2019 candidate withdraw her nomination after meeting CM Suvendu Adhikari, followed by the arrest of the Congress nominee over alleged involvement in the 2007 land protests.<\/p>\n

In Pakistan, Friday prayers turned deadly as a blast near a mosque in Kohat killed at least 16 people and injured over 50, adding to the country\u2019s mounting toll of militant violence.<\/p>\n

Also in today\u2019s Bhaskar Smart Brief, don\u2019t miss our investigation into an alleged cross-border network involving Nepali women who are reportedly brought in to bear fair-skinned babies for childless couples. We look at what happens behind the scenes. Plus, Gondhal takes India\u2019s Oscar 2027 campaign to the global stage.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Along with these, we\u2019ve rounded up the other top stories you need to start your day. Today’s Top Headlines<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Mamata\u2019s Nandigram candidate withdraws; Cong nominee arrested<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/picture><\/div>\n

A party name, a symbol and two bypoll twists have thrown Bengal politics into fresh uncertainty. After the Election Commission\u2019s decision split the Trinamool Congress into two factions with temporary identities, Mamata Banerjee said she would challenge the ruling in court. Her faction has also backed Congress in Nandigram, where its candidate withdrew after meeting Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.<\/p>\n

But the contest has taken another turn: Congress leader Milan Pradhan was arrested over alleged involvement in the 2007 land-acquisition protests, according to a party leader. What happens next? READ MORE<\/p>\n

Nepali girls \u2018sold\u2019 in India to bear fair-skinned babies<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/picture><\/div>\n

What if a childless couple\u2019s search for a baby leads to a hidden cross-border network? An investigation by Dainik Bhaskar has uncovered allegations that Nepali women are being brought into Uttar Pradesh through brokers, paid to become pregnant and later sent back after giving birth. Brokers allegedly charge up to \u20b91 crore, while the women receive \u20b920\u201325 lakh.<\/p>\n

The practice reportedly targets couples unable to conceive naturally who fear IVF. How does the network operate, and who controls it? Our investigation follows the trail. READ MORE<\/p>\n

21 killed, over 50 injured in blast near Pak mosque<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/picture><\/div>\n

A Friday prayer gathering turned into a deadly security challenge in Pakistan, raising fresh questions over how explosives reached a heavily guarded area. At least 16 people were killed and more than 50 injured in a blast near a mosque in Kohat. Police said an explosives-laden vehicle rammed into the gate of the old Police Lines, damaging the mosque\u2019s outer structure.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/picture><\/div>\n

The attack adds to Pakistan\u2019s mounting militant violence, with 990 incidents and 1,129 deaths reported since January. The probe will now focus on how the attack was carried out. READ MORE<\/p>\n

Marathi thriller \u2018Gondhal\u2019 is India\u2019s Oscar 2027 entry<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/picture><\/div>\n

What happens when a traditional all-night ritual turns into a night of old grudges, political tensions and buried rivalries? That is the world of \u2018Gondhal\u2019, the Marathi psychological thriller chosen as India\u2019s official entry for the 99th Academy Awards. Directed by Santosh Davkhar, the film emerged from a field of 33 Indian entries, including 14 Hindi films, taking a regional story to the global stage.<\/p>\n

The film now faces a bigger test: the Oscar race. With Kishor Kadam, Ishita Deshmukh and Yogesh Sohani in key roles, \u2018Gondhal\u2019 will represent India as the international competition unfolds. READ MORE<\/p>\n

BCCI leaves Agarkar\u2019s future uncertain, Parthiv emerges frontrunner<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/picture><\/div>\n

The BCCI\u2019s latest move could reshape India\u2019s senior men\u2019s selection set-up, with the future of chief selector Ajit Agarkar now uncertain. At its 95th Annual General Meeting on Friday, the board authorised its officials to decide on the selection committee, putting Agarkar\u2019s tenure under fresh scrutiny. The decision matters because any change could influence India\u2019s squad-building and selection strategy ahead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/picture><\/div>\n

Reports suggest Parthiv Patel is among the names being considered if Agarkar is not retained. The board\u2019s final call will determine what changes, if any, lie ahead. READ MORE<\/p>\n

The Day Ahead<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. Monsoon is likely to start withdrawing from today. It will begin as usual from western Rajasthan, driven by an incursion of dry air and a building high-pressure system. The monsoon started with a brutal 40% shortfall in June. Around 16 states, making up 43% of the country’s geographical area, are concluding the season with a severe deficit.<\/p>\n

2. Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to participate in the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ student outreach programme in Indore today at 5:00 PM. The mega student-dialogue campaign aims to directly address youth grievances against the current education and employment system. Organisers expect a crowd of up to 100,000 students; over 50,000 students have reportedly registered to attend.<\/p>\n

3. PM Modi will distribute over 51,000 appointment letters to newly appointed youth in various government organisations at the 20th Rozgar Mela today at 12:30 PM. Rozgar Mela will be held at 45 locations across the country.<\/p>\n

4. Delhi University Students\u2019 Union (DUSU) election votes will be counted today starting at 8:00 AM. Voting ended yesterday, and the electronic voting machines (EVMs) were moved safely under police guard to the University Sports Stadium on the North Campus, where the counting will take place. 5. Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony today in Japan\u2019s Aichi-Nagoya at 2:30 PM IST. Manu Bhaker & Tajinderpal Singh Toor to be India\u2019s flagbearers. The Asian Games are scheduled to be held from September 19 to October 4. Visual Of The Day<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\u2018Deep<\/picture><\/div>\n

\u2018Deep in Devotion\u2019: A devotee immerses a Lord Ganesh idol in a canal on the outskirts of Amritsar during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. (Photo: PTI)<\/span><\/p>\n

Today In History<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/picture><\/div>\n

Statement Of The Day<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/picture><\/div>\n

News With A Twist<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Couple gets engaged right in front of shark<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/picture><\/div>\n

Truth can be stranger than fiction, and some real-life stories need no embellishment. From an underwater marriage proposal staged face-to-face with a shark to a monkey making regular visits to a lawyer\u2019s chamber for rotis, the day\u2019s oddities span the wonderfully unexpected.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, a Chinese woman\u2019s 20.5-cm eyelash has been growing since 2015, while five generations of an American family share the same birthday. In Indonesia, an unusual court-ordered punishment has also drawn attention. Here are five quirky stories that grabbed attention across the world. READ MORE News In Headlines<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. Tharoor makes grammar gaffe wishing PM, X user points READ MORE<\/p>\n

2. Why are 97% of POCSO rape accused known to victims? READ MORE<\/p>\n

3. Nithari killings convict Koli dies by suicide READ MORE<\/p>\n

4. APAAR ID gets workplace verification role READ MORE<\/p>\n

5. US approves Saudi F-35 deal amid China risk READ MORE<\/p>\n

6. Nestle India faces legal action over baby food products READ MORE<\/p>\n

7. Warren Buffett steps down as Berkshire Hathaway chairman READ MORE<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Good morning! Here\u2019s your quick catch-up on the biggest stories making headlines today. Bengal\u2019s political contest has taken an unexpected turn, with the Election Commission splitting the Trinamool Congress into two factions with temporary identities. Mamata Banerjee plans to challenge the decision in court, while Nandigram has seen the \u2018Mamata TMC\u2019 candidate withdraw her nomination…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":39811,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[44396,24379,44081,22550,35171,44751,23146,40143],"class_list":["post-39810","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nation","tag-ajit-agarkar","tag-bcci","tag-gondhal","tag-mamata-banerjee","tag-nandigram-election","tag-oscar-nomination","tag-trinamool-congress","tag-west-bengal-bypolls"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/petrolnews.in\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39810","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/petrolnews.in\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/petrolnews.in\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petrolnews.in\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petrolnews.in\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39810"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/petrolnews.in\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39810\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petrolnews.in\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39811"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/petrolnews.in\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39810"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petrolnews.in\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39810"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petrolnews.in\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39810"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}