The Kerala Legislative Assembly has passed a motion urging the central government to completely withdraw the proposed Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000. Chief Minister V D Satheesan and CPI MLA K Rajan highlighted concerns that the MDR would increase business costs, harm small businesses, and reduce the appeal of digital payments, while the BJP argued it would not affect general public or small merchants.
The Jammu and Kashmir assembly has passed a resolution demanding the immediate restoration of full statehood, a move that saw protests and a walkout by BJP legislators. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah questioned the Centre's repeated assurances of restoration at an 'appropriate time'.
The Supreme Court has disposed of a long-pending case concerning legislative privileges and freedom of speech, deeming it infructuous due to the Tamil Nadu Assembly withdrawing its resolution against journalists. However, the seven-judge bench has kept the substantial legal questions regarding the interplay of fundamental rights and legislative privileges open for future adjudication.
The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly has passed a resolution demanding the urgent restoration of full statehood, a move that saw the opposition BJP stage a walkout. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah moved the resolution, which also referenced previous calls for greater autonomy and special status. The BJP vehemently opposed the resolution, calling it an insult to the Constitution.
The Karnataka Assembly has passed a resolution rejecting the K Kasturirangan report on Western Ghats conservation in its current form. The state government urged the Centre to address deficiencies, particularly concerning the inclusion of agricultural lands and human settlements in Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) without proper physical surveys or livelihood support.
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed chaotic scenes as BJP members protested a resolution seeking the urgent restoration of statehood. The BJP opposed the resolution, calling it an insult to the Constitution, and moved a motion for the Speaker's removal, leading to disruptions and mock proceedings in the House.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah introduced a resolution in the assembly demanding the urgent restoration of full statehood for the union territory. The resolution, which referenced previous autonomy resolutions, led to intense protests and "ugly scenes" from opposition BJP members, resulting in the adjournment of the House. Abdullah highlighted the unfulfilled promise by the Government of India regarding statehood after delimitation and elections.
BJP legislators in Karnataka protested during a special legislative session by reciting the full version of Vande Mataram after the official recording played in the Assembly and Council ended after only two stanzas. The Congress government in the state has a standing order to play only the first two stanzas at its programmes, except for high-profile events.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has clarified that his recent jaw-touching gesture in the State Assembly was unintentional, not meant to mock DMK president MK Stalin. The gesture sparked social media debate and drew criticism from CPI(M) State Secretary P Shanmugam, who linked it to Stalin's jaw fracture during the Emergency. Vijay made the gesture while criticising the DMK over alleged corruption.
India has voted in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution urging the US to end its economic, commercial, and financial embargo against Cuba. The resolution, adopted on Wednesday, saw 130 countries support the call to lift restrictions that have severely impacted Cuba's economy, healthcare, and food production. The article also details a heated exchange between US and Cuban diplomats during the UNGA session.
The Tamil Nadu assembly descended into chaos, leading to the eviction of DMK MLAs, as they vehemently protested Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's statements.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha informed the Assembly that the post-mortem report indicated DGP Anurag Dhankar's death was suicidal. This statement came amidst demands for a high court judge-led probe from the opposition, who also questioned the disclosure of the report in the Assembly. An impartial inquiry is currently underway.
The Election Commission has directed five states - Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand - to transfer officers involved in election work ahead of the 2027 assembly polls. This move, a standard practice for fair elections, targets officers in their home districts or those completing three years in a district by May 2027, covering various administrative and police roles.
The CBI has withdrawn approximately 20 petitions from the Supreme Court that sought to transfer cases related to the 2021 West Bengal post-poll violence outside the state. The agency cited "changed circumstances" for its decision, which comes after the state's CID initiated fresh inquiries and reopened cases concerning the violence.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expanded his council of ministers on Tuesday, swearing in four new faces from the Kashmir valley: Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Saifullah, Shameema Firdous, and Altaf Ahmad Wani. This expansion comes after all ministers submitted their resignations, with the Congress, an ally, distancing itself from joining the cabinet until statehood is restored.
The Samajwadi Party secured five seats, including two crucial wins in Varanasi, in the Uttar Pradesh legislative council elections, while the BJP won six. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav termed the BJP's performance a "double defeat" and expressed confidence for the 2027 assembly polls.
The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea challenging the resignations of six AIADMK MLAs who subsequently joined the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The court affirmed that resignation and disqualification are distinct constitutional processes, upholding the Speaker's acceptance of the resignations and stating that the Speaker was not required to inquire into motives.
The JD(U) has expelled Mokama MLA Anant Singh and his wife, former legislator Neelam Devi, for six years due to alleged anti-party activities. Singh was accused of campaigning for a rival candidate in recent legislative council elections and using insulting language against party leadership. The party also recommended the termination of Singh's MLA membership.
Lok Sabha MP Ramashankar Rajbhar 'Vidyarthi' announced that the INDIA bloc's seat-sharing formula has been finalised for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, with the Samajwadi Party's manifesto set for release on November 26. He emphasised a unified strategy for victory, while Congress leaders have claimed 175-200 seats, with final decisions to be made by top leadership. The article also touches upon the political landscape in UP, considering past election results and the 2027 contest.
Devpalik Gupta, a digital communications manager for Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party, was found dead near railway tracks in Ranchi on Tuesday. He had gone missing from a moving train on Monday. Police are investigating, with preliminary findings suggesting an accidental fall. The party has expressed deep sorrow over his demise.
Bengaluru's electorate has significantly decreased by 43.13% to 59.08 lakh after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and the publication of the final electoral roll on October 27. This reduction is largely due to deletions under the ASDDO category (Absent, Shifted, Dead, Duplicate, Others), with Bengaluru South and Mahadevapura seeing the highest number of removals. Despite the deletions, the Chief Electoral Officer assured that no eligible voter was removed and the process was transparent.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay departed from a long-standing Assembly tradition by sitting with ministers in the front row instead of his designated chair. This move, considered unprecedented for a chief minister, occurred during a session where the presence of department secretaries was also debated.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's convoy was involved in a minor collision on the Purvanchal Expressway on Monday while he was travelling to Sultanpur for a court hearing in a defamation case. Officials confirmed Gandhi was safe and no major injuries occurred. The incident happened around 10.15 am when a vehicle in front suddenly braked, causing a chain reaction. The convoy resumed its journey, heading to the court for a case related to remarks made against Amit Shah in 2018.
The Congress party faced a significant defeat in the Karnataka Legislative Council elections, losing all four seats contested. The opposition alliance of BJP and JD(S) secured all segments, with JD(S) wresting one from Congress and BJP retaining three. This outcome, while not affecting government stability, is seen as a moral victory for the opposition and a test of their coordination.
The Tamil Nadu Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution urging the Union Government to grant a permanent exemption from the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for government teachers appointed before August 23, 2010. This move aims to protect the job security and benefits of over 3.28 lakh experienced educators who face the risk of losing their positions due to the mandatory TET requirement.
An Additional District and Sessions Judge has been arraigned as an accused after his 17-year-old son allegedly drove a Mercedes-Benz and killed a scooterist in Kochi. The incident led to protests, a transfer of the probe to the District Crime Branch, and a debate in the Keralam Assembly, highlighting concerns over police handling and parental responsibility.
The Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council elections, conducted using ballot papers, have reignited the debate over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) versus ballot papers ahead of the 2027 UP assembly polls. While the BJP maintained its lead, the Samajwadi Party made significant gains, prompting renewed calls for ballot paper usage in future elections.
Maharashtra's ruling Mahayuti bloc is embroiled in a blame game following its poor performance in the recent Legislative Council polls. The BJP has accused its ally Shiv Sena of non-cooperation, while Shiv Sena leaders defend their actions and one MLA even suggested reinstating Eknath Shinde as Chief Minister, drawing parallels with the Bihar political model.
Police in Malappuram, Keralam, have registered a case against 15 Muslim Students Federation (MSF) activists for allegedly attacking Students Federation of India (SFI) leaders, Adhil and Sujith, at a hospital. The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, left the SFI leaders with serious injuries, including fractures and broken teeth. The incident followed clashes during the Calicut University students' union election on Wednesday. A separate case was also filed for damage to the hospital. Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the violence, accusing the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and MSF, and criticised police for alleged protection of attackers.
Police in Malappuram, Keralam, have registered a case against 15 Muslim Students Federation (MSF) activists for allegedly attacking Students Federation of India (SFI) leaders, Adhil and Sujith, at a hospital. The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, left the SFI leaders with serious injuries, including fractures and broken teeth. The incident followed clashes during the Calicut University students' union election on Wednesday. A separate case was also filed for damage to the hospital. Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the violence, accusing the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and MSF, and criticised police for alleged protection of attackers.
DMK President M K Stalin has filed a petition in the Madras High Court challenging the election of TVK candidate V S Babu from the Kolathur Assembly constituency. Stalin alleges grave irregularities during the checking and verification of EVMs and VVPATs, which he claims were not adequately addressed by the District Election Officer. He seeks a declaration that Babu's election is void and a 100% counting of VVPAT slips.
The Congress has initiated seat-sharing discussions with the Samajwadi Party for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, proposing a list of over 175 seats. While the Congress aims for a significant share, buoyed by its performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the Samajwadi Party emphasises winnability as the sole criterion. The alliance seeks to collectively challenge the BJP in the state.
Twenty-six individuals, including five juveniles, have been apprehended in connection with violence during a bandh in Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, on October 23. The protests were against the proposed mega dam over the Siang river, leading to property damage and clashes. Police have registered eight criminal cases and detained six others for questioning.
Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri has been named as the BJP's candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha bypoll in Madhya Pradesh, which is scheduled for November 12. The bypoll was necessitated by the resignation of former Union minister L Murugan.
Uttar Pradesh assembly Speaker Satish Mahana has found himself at the centre of a controversy after he was seen walking away while the national anthem was played at an event in Unnao, drawing flak from the opposition. Mahana, however, claimed that the anthem was not played where he was given the guard of honour.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was acquitted by a special MP-MLA court in Sultanpur on Monday in a defamation case stemming from his 2018 remarks against then BJP president Amit Shah. The court ruled that Gandhi's statement was not defamatory and the complainant, Vijay Mishra, was not an aggrieved person. Mishra's lawyer plans to challenge the verdict.
The BJP secured six of the 11 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council seats, while the Samajwadi Party won three, with counting ongoing for the remaining constituencies. Key wins for BJP included Agra Graduates' and Meerut Teachers' and Graduates' seats, while SP claimed Allahabad-Jhansi Graduates' and Varanasi Teachers' constituencies. The elections were marked by allegations of voter manipulation and irregularities, particularly in the Gorakhpur-Faizabad Teachers' constituency, and SP president Akhilesh Yadav also raised concerns about the treatment of a winning candidate.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised Opposition parties, including Congress and AAP, stating that protests are futile and asserting that the NDA will form the next government in Punjab. He also spoke about Yamuna cleaning projects and accused previous Delhi governments of pollution.
Counting of votes has commenced for Legislative Council seats across Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Karnataka, with significant political implications ahead of upcoming electoral battles. The elections saw varied turnouts and intense contests between ruling alliances and opposition parties.
An FIR has been registered against 300 unnamed individuals in Ranchi following a protest march to the Jharkhand assembly on August 10. The protest, by job aspirants over alleged recruitment examination irregularities, led to clashes where 14 police personnel were injured. Police used batons, water cannons, and tear gas to disperse the crowd, which had violated prohibitory orders. Authorities are now using video footage to identify the miscreants.
