West Bengal minister Jyotipriya Mallick, who was arrested in the early hours of Friday in a money laundering case linked to an alleged multi-crore ration distribution scam, fainted inside an overcrowded courtroom when he was produced there by Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers.

The state forest minister collapsed after fainting during a hearing inside the Bankshall court and was later rushed to a city hospital for immediate medical care, an official said.

Mallick who has been suffering from a number of ailments, was produced in court after being medically examined at the ESI Hospital in southern Kolkata.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested the West Bengal minister under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in the early hours of Friday following over 17-18 hours of questioning, they said.

ED officials said Mallick was taken from his home in the Salt Lake area on the outskirts of Kolkata to the central agency’s office around 3.30 am.

“I am a victim of a great conspiracy,” the TMC minister told reporters after being arrested by ED in connection with the alleged ration distribution scam.

Mallick also alleged that the “conspiracy was hatched by the BJP and its leader Suvendu Adhikari”, a former colleague in the TMC party.

“It is a conspiracy. The BJP is actively engaging in plotting nefarious schemes against us,” said Mallick, who is currently state forest minister and had previously held the portfolio of food and supplies.

Earlier on Thursday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had threatened to file a police cas if anything happened to Mallick during the questioning as he was unwell and had several medical ailments.

Banerjee had also termed the raids by the ED against opposition leaders as “a dirty political game” by the BJP.

The ED had earlier arrested a confidant of the minister, Bakibur Rahman, whose remand is ending this week.

Sources said that the central agency may seek to confront the two with each other’s version of events in the case.

Mallick’s arrest is the second instance of a cabinet minister of TMC being apprehended by central agencies in connection with corruption cases.

Last year, former state minister Partha Chatterjee was arrested by the ED in a case related to a school job scam.

The agency had searched Mallick’s residences on Thursday. It also raided his ancestral house on Amherst Street in central Kolkata. The alleged scam pertains to reported irregularities in the public distribution system and also in the distribution of food grains during the Covid lockdowns.

The ED had sought Mallick’s custody as he was “non-cooperative”, officials said.

“He was non-cooperative and gave confusing and self-contradictory replies to our officers during the questioning yesterday. He kept on saying that he was unable to take questions as he was ill. We need him to get answers to several queries related to the scam,” the ED officer told PTI.

The TMC labelled the arrest of its senior minister, Jyotipriyo Mallick, as “vendetta” politics and questioned the absence of action against BJP leaders who switched sides, facing corruption cases and investigations by central agencies.

Leading the TMC’s response, Minister Shashi Panja accused the BJP of attempting to silence opposition voices raising issues pertinent to the people.

She stated, “It is an attempt by the BJP to muzzle the opposition raising pro-people issues.” Panja went on to ask, “ The question is why corrupt BJP leaders and turncoats who have corruption charges against them are never summoned by the ED and CBI.” She claimed the BJP is scared of the people’s movement launched by TMC demanding clearance of MGNREGA dues.

Panja also alleged that the “BJP has engaged in witch-hunting … (and) weaponized the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the CBI” against opponents and added this “strategy would face resistance from the people of Bengal in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls”.

In response to the arrest of the state minister, the BJP said it was “expected” considering the pace of the investigation in the case.

BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said, “The arrest was anticipated after the revelations made by one of his associates, who was apprehended a few days ago. It has once again been proven that the TMC is deeply mired in corruption”.

Taking to X, formerly, Twitter, leader of the opposition Suvendu Adhikari said, “Henceforth, the state cabinet meeting will be convened inside the jail.” In the past one year, two other MLAs and TMC Birbhum district president Anubrata Mondal have been arrested in connection with school job scams and cattle smuggling cases by central agencies.

The BJP on Friday appointed Lok Sabha MP Nayab Singh Saini, belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBC), its Haryana unit president in place of Om Prakash Dhankar as the party prepares for the Lok Sabha elections next year to be followed by the state assembly polls.

A party communication said Mr Dhankar, a Jat, has been appointed a national secretary of the party.

The appointment of Mr Saini, 53, a first-time MP representing Kurukshetra in the Lok Sabha, may help the party strengthen its hold among the OBC community as the support of Jats, who are the most populous community in the state, is largely seen to be divided among the Congress, Jannayak Janta Party and the Indian National Lok Dal.

The BJP is already in alliance with the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), whose leader Dushyant Chautala is the state’s deputy chief minister.

Mr Dhankar was appointed Haryana BJP chief in July 2020 and completed his tenure in July this year.

Mr Saini, who has been campaigning in Rajasthan, is considered a confidant of Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. He was also a minister in the previous Khattar cabinet and was a legislator when he fought the Lok Sabha polls in 2019.

In 2019, the BJP had won all 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana. with party candidates winning with massive margins.

“Congratulations to Nayab Singh Saini for the responsibility of state president”, the outgoing state unit chief Dhankar posted on X.

Shortly before the BJP central leadership appointed the new state unit chief, Mr Dhankar was asked by reporters in Chandigarh on Friday whether a change could be expected since his term as state unit chief had come to an end in July.

Replying to this, Mr Dhankar said change is a natural process in a national party like the BJP and referred to recent appointments in the party’s Punjab and Chandigarh unit.

No one is permanent here, Mr Dhankar, who is also a former Haryana minister, said.

A BJP worker is always prepared to take up any responsibility and role given to him, he said.

This is not a family-based party. It is a national party in which change from booth unit incharge to national president is a natural process, he said.

The ketogenic diet, or keto diet for short, is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet. Its main principle is to drastically reduce carbohydrate intake and replace it with fat, forcing the body into a state called ketosis. In this state, the body starts utilising fat as its primary energy source instead of carbohydrates.

When carbohydrates are limited, the body starts breaking down stored fat into molecules called ketones, which are then used for fuel. This metabolic process can lead to weight loss as the body burns its fat stores.

Research suggests that the keto diet may help with weight loss, as it can decrease appetite, increase satiety, and enhance fat burning. However, its effectiveness may vary for individuals, and long-term adherence can be challenging. Read on as we share tips to keep in mind when following the keto diet and who should and shouldn’t follow it.

1. Understand the basics

Familiarise yourself with the fundamental principles of the keto diet, which involves reducing your carbohydrate intake and increasing your fat consumption.

2. Calculate your macronutrient ratios

Determine the appropriate macronutrient ratios for your specific needs. This typically entails consuming around 70-75% of your calories from fat, 20-25% from protein, and 5-10% from carbs.

3. Choose healthy fats

Opt for healthy fats like avocados, nuts, seeds, olive oil, and coconut oil. Avoid trans fats and heavily processed oils.

4. Focus on quality proteins

Aim for high-quality proteins such as lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, and plant-based sources like tofu and tempeh.

5. Monitor carb intake

Strictly limit your daily carbohydrate intake to approximately 20-50 grams to maintain ketosis. Focus on consuming low-carb vegetables and fruits.

6. Stay hydrated

Drink plenty of water throughout the day to support digestion, metabolism, and overall health.

7. Include fibre

Incorporate fibre-rich foods like vegetables, berries, chia seeds, and flaxseed to maintain regular bowel movements and promote gut health.

8. Be mindful of hidden carbohydrates

Many packaged foods may contain hidden carbs, so read labels carefully to avoid accidentally exceeding your daily carb limit.

9. Stay consistent

Adhering to the keto diet consistently is crucial for achieving and maintaining ketosis. Avoid cheating or straying too far from your meal plan.

The ketogenic diet may not be suitable for everyone, and it is always important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet or lifestyle change. However, there are a few situations where it is generally not recommended to follow a ketogenic diet.

A ketogenic diet can put stress on the pancreas, potentially exacerbating pancreatitis symptoms and leading to further complications.If someone has an underlying liver condition, such as liver disease, the ketogenic diet may not be suitable.If someone has a history of gallstones or gallbladder disease, they may need to consider alternative dietary options.The ketogenic diet can alter nutrient availability and hormone levels, which may not be ideal for pregnant or breastfeeding women who require a well-balanced and nutrient-rich diet.

Ultimately, it is best to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian to determine if the ketogenic diet is suitable for individual circumstances and goals.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.