The INDIA bloc's planned 'public impeachment' of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has been postponed to October 31 due to Delhi's weather conditions.
The WTA 250 Chennai Open will conclude this year as India lost its slot to the Philippines. Indian tennis legend Vijay Amritraj revealed that the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association is now aiming to host three to four WTA 125 events in January-February 2028 to provide more opportunities for Indian players. The move was influenced by Chennai's monsoon season and the rise of a Filipino tennis star.
The NDA alliance secured 16 out of 28 legislative council seats across four states, while the Congress managed to win only one seat. The Samajwadi Party made significant gains in Uttar Pradesh, and the Jan Suraaj Party opened its account in Bihar. The results show mixed fortunes for major parties, with notable setbacks for the BJP in Nagpur and the Congress in Karnataka.
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.
Olympic medallists PV Sindhu and Mirabai Chanu are among 12 prominent sportspersons vying for a spot on the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) Athletes Commission. The elections, scheduled for November 3, will select 10 members for the 2026-2030 term. The article also details the electoral process, eligibility criteria, and mentions the upcoming election for eight Sportspersons of Merit (SOMs).
Indian stock markets are set to be influenced by a confluence of factors this week, including escalating geopolitical tensions, particularly concerns over US-Iran conflict, volatile crude oil prices, and the ongoing quarterly earnings season. Additionally, the US midterm elections, foreign investor activity, and key macroeconomic data releases will also be closely monitored by investors.
Data reveals that the number of voters in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab, and Manipur has decreased by up to 13.24 per cent following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Across these five states, the electorate shrank by approximately 2.29 crore, a 12.2 per cent reduction, with Uttar Pradesh accounting for nearly 90 per cent of this drop. These states are slated for assembly polls early next year, and the Election Commission is conducting further revisions to include eligible voters.
Counting is underway for elections to five constituencies in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, with the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance currently leading in three seats and the Opposition NCP (SP) ahead in two. Polling for these seats, including Pune Graduates' and Amravati Teachers', took place on October 23, necessitated by the upcoming term expiry of sitting members. Final results are anticipated later today, as candidates like Sudhakar Kohale, Kiran Sarnaik, Kaustubh Gawade, Harshada Deshmukh-Jadhav, and Pratapsinh Patil show significant leads in their respective constituencies.
The Cabinet Secretariat declined to act on complaints from two Election Commissioners regarding a Senior Deputy Election Commissioner's conduct, citing that the communications were in an "individual capacity" and not an official stance from the Election Commission as a whole. This decision was based on concerns about potential interference in the constitutional body's functioning.
Scuffles broke out between protesting students and paramilitary personnel at Jamia Millia Islamia on Monday as the students refused to end their agitation for restoration of students' union elections despite the university issuing an order for the polls earlier in the day.
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.
The INDIA bloc is set to hold a 'Chalo Dilli' march on November 1, culminating at Ramlila Maidan. The protest aims to highlight alleged "vote chori" and press for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over voter list irregularities. Rahul Gandhi has urged public participation, assuring them against police action.
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.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Friday that the BJP would implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttar Pradesh if it returns to power in the upcoming assembly elections. Addressing a state working committee meeting, Shah expressed confidence in the BJP's victory, criticised opposition parties on issues like the Ram temple and alleged voter list irregularities, and highlighted the Adityanath government's achievements in law and order and development.
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.
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.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, speaking at the INDIA bloc's Ramlila Maidan rally, accused the BJP of forming governments on "stolen" mandates and alleged that Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were shielding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He called for PM Modi's removal to protect democracy.
Israel's Election Commission is counting 'double envelope' votes, with Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud projected to be the largest party but his bloc falling short of a majority. The opposition bloc, along with Arab parties, holds a potential majority, leading to calls for a Jewish-Arab coalition to form a government and keep Netanyahu out. Negotiations are set to begin as President Herzog urges against another election.
Former Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa has strongly criticised the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, labelling it an 'unfair procedure' despite its legal standing, raising concerns about mass voter deletions and the erosion of democratic trust.
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.
Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh states the BJP government must regain public trust before early next year's assembly elections. He accuses some party colleagues of conspiring to remove him, questions the rationale behind his ouster given continued violence, and highlights public demand for his return, while also criticising the current government's inaction on key issues.
A special CBI court in Mumbai on Friday acquitted gangster Chhota Rajan and four others in a 2009 case involving an attempt on the life of Shiv Sena leader Ajay Bhosale in Pune. The attack, which saw assailants open fire on Bhosale's vehicle, was reportedly linked to a property dispute.
The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission to devise a mechanism to reach out to approximately 47 lakh Delhi voters whose names were struck out from the draft electoral rolls during the ongoing Special Summary Revision (SIR). The court emphasised that the right to vote is vital and cannot be forfeited due to absence, questioning the EC's requirement for previously enrolled voters to file Form 6 for re-inclusion and suggesting alternative methods like publishing lists and accepting late enumeration forms.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi encouraged attendees of the INDIA bloc's rally in Delhi to shop locally for Diwali, countering BJP's "rumours" about business disruption. The rally, scheduled for Sunday at Ramlila Maidan, aims to protest alleged electoral irregularities and demand the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation, drawing support from various groups across the country.
Mokama MLA Anant Singh, recently expelled from the Janata Dal (United) for six years, has announced his intention to form his own political party. Singh launched a scathing attack on the JD(U) leadership, claiming the party is "finished" and will struggle in future elections, though he maintained cordial personal ties with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. His expulsion, along with his wife Neelam Devi, was due to alleged anti-party activities, including campaigning for a rival candidate.
The INDIA bloc is making extensive preparations for its November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities. CPI(M) MP John Brittas claims 10 lakh people will attend, despite alleged attempts by authorities to prevent participants from reaching the capital. The rally will be preceded by a symbolic public impeachment of Kumar.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke met Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee in Delhi, thanking her for supporting youth-led protests and extending solidarity with the INDIA bloc's upcoming rally against alleged "vote chori." CJP, however, stated it would maintain its independent identity and not formally join the Sunday protest.
Three Aam Aadmi Party leaders from Punjab, including former IPS officer Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh and two other legislators, joined the BJP on Monday, marking a significant setback for AAP ahead of the Punjab assembly polls. The defections follow their resignations from the AAP.
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.
Nagarmal Bajoria, a 97-year-old Bihar businessman known as "dharti pakad" for contesting nearly 300 elections, has passed away. A Partition refugee, Bajoria challenged prominent leaders including Indira Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, aiming to raise public awareness about the electoral process rather than seeking power. His unique campaign style and unwavering spirit left a lasting impression.
The ruling Mahayuti and opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi are set for a significant political contest in the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections. Polling for five seats - three Graduates' and two Teachers' constituencies - will be held on Friday, with 182 candidates in the fray. The results, crucial for both alliances, will be declared on October 27.
'In 2013-2014, Modi was asking for regime change. In fact, the words he used were, they should be pulled out and thrown away; ughadke phekna hai. That is part of democracy.'
Biennial polls for eight Bihar Legislative Council seats resulted in significant upsets, with five sitting MLCs, including from BJP and Congress, losing. The fledgling Jan Suraaj Party secured its first victory. BJP won three seats, Independents two, while RJD, Jan Suraaj, and JD(U) each secured one. The results highlighted infighting within the INDIA bloc and a strong performance by new political forces.
NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule has alleged that the BJP is using pens fitted with spy cameras to record voters in the Maharashtra MLC polls for Pune Teachers' and Graduates' constituencies. She claimed voters were offered money to record their votes for BJP candidates. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated he was unaware of such devices. Sule has urged the Election Commission to investigate these serious complaints.
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.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa has responded to allegations of caste bias regarding erroneous voter slips, stating that computers and software are not inherently casteist. The controversy arose after an AAP MP highlighted a voter slip where "Ramhit Yadav" was translated to "Ram ne Yadav ko Maara." Rinwa explained that the software, designed for transliteration, sometimes incorrectly translated names, causing these errors. Authorities are investigating the issue and taking steps to prevent recurrence, while also cautioning against the circulation of forged voter slips.
The INDIA bloc is gearing up for a symbolic 'public impeachment' of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on October 30, protesting alleged 'vote chori' and irregularities in electoral rolls, raising significant questions about India's democratic processes.
The Congress party and the INDIA bloc are planning a 'public impeachment' of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of violating the Constitution and subverting electoral democracy. This comes after alleged denials of permission for their event, which they claim is an attempt by the government to silence criticism. The JD(U) has criticised the move as an insult to Parliament and the judiciary.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri's Rajya Sabha bypoll affidavit reveals his wife, Laxmi Puri, possesses significantly greater wealth, including higher annual income, movable assets, and bank deposits. The affidavit details their respective financial holdings, income sources, and also mentions Puri's acknowledged past meetings with Jeffrey Epstein, while confirming no criminal cases are pending against him.
