Top Maoist commander and the organisation’s key “strategist” Thippiri Tirupati alias Devji has surrendered, a top police official said on Sunday.

Preparations are underway for an Ayodhya-style Ram temple with a ‘Bengali’ idol in West Bengal’s Nadia district, with the Shri Krittibas Ram Mandir Trust announcing a symbolic Ayodhya Yatra to bring sacred soil for the temple’s foundation.

Congress’s Mani Shankar Aiyar, known for his controversial statements on multiple issues, this time advised his party’s senior leader Rahul Gandhi to leave INDIA Bloc’s driving seat to leaders of the regional parties.