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Continuing efforts to save the 41 workers stuck in the under-construction tunnel that collapsed in Uttarakhand a week ago, the authorities are attempting to build a vertical rescue tunnel, and the first machine for this has already reached the site. A major breakthrough was achieved on Monday when National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) completed the drilling of another six-inch diameter pipeline for the supply of food, medicines, and other essential items.

On November 12, a collapse occurred in an under-construction tunnel from Silkyara to Barkot due to muck falling in a 60-metre stretch on the Silkyara side of the tunnel. After the incident, the authorities mobilised resources immediately for the rescue of the 41 trapped workers.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday took a veiled dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and blamed him for India's heartbreaking loss to Australia in the World Cup final.

Addressing an election rally in Rajasthan's Balotra, Rahul suggested that India lost the match in Ahmedabad because PM Modi was in attendance.

During the rally, somebody in the crowd yelled "panauti", which means unlucky or a bad omen. In response, Rahul grinned and said: "Haan ... panauti, panauti ... acha bhala waha pe humare ladke World Cup jeet jaate, waha pe panauti harwa diya. TV wale ye nahi kahenge magar janta jaanti hai (Our boys were easily going to win the World Cup but the 'bad omen' made us lose. The media won't point this out but people know).

Telangana cheif minister K Chandrashekar Rao made a scathing attack at Congress recalling the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's regime and said "Why do we need that regime when nothing good happened during that period."

Addressing a public gathering at Wyra, Khannam district, KCR said "Congress leaders are saying if Congress comes to power, they will bring Indirama (Indira Gandhi) regime. Why do we need that regime? Did any good happen during that? Poor were left as poor, SC and STs have been used as vote banks. If they had done good this wouldn't have been the situation of Dalits and Girijans."

The Congress on Tuesday released its manifesto for the upcoming assembly elections in Rajasthan, promising to conduct a caste survey, provide interest-free loans up to Rs 2 lakh to farmers and create 10 lakh job opportunities. The party also promised to recruit at the panchayat level and enact a special law to implement MSP as per the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission.

The Congress also pledged to increase the annual amount given to beneficiaries under the Chiranjeevi Health Insurance Scheme from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 50 lakh and provide interest-free loan of up to Rs 5 lakh to small traders, shopkeepers and young entrepreneurs.

Union home minister and BJP leader Amit Shah on Monday invoked former PMs (late) Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi in his attack against the Congress party. Addressing a campaign rally in Telangana's Jagtial, he also accused AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and BRS supremo K Chandrashekar Rao of indulging in what his party calls "dynastic politics".

"BRS, Majlis and Congress are 2G, 3G and 4G parties. 2G means KCR and KTR. 3G means Owaisi's grandfather, his father and Owaisi. 4G means Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Rahul. Where is your place in it?" Amit Shah was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.