'93 lakhs deletions in Bengal, 96 lakhs in Tamil Nadu, 24 lakhs in Kerala, 77 lakhs in Gujarat, 45 lakhs in Madhya Pradesh, 44 lakhs in Rajasthan. 2.89 crores in Uttar Pradesh. Nearly 3 crores!'
Modi's greater weakness is his inability since July when he directed the exit of Dharmendra Pradhan, to come up with a political counter strategy. Security measures and executive orders as seen in recent days will only likely further weaken him and make him as lame duck a premier as many prior to him, Indira Gandhi and Manmohan Singh included, observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.
Former IAS officer Divya Mittal has launched her new political party, Jan Neeti Bharat, with the aim of contesting the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections and redefining governance by making people central to policymaking and ensuring government accountability.
Actor Imran Khan, an American citizen, has been served a notice by Mumbai Police directing him to leave India by October 28 for allegedly violating immigration laws. This comes after his participation in recent political protests. His lawyer plans to challenge the decision in the Bombay High Court.
'If Gyanesh Kumar had some shame he would have resigned and would have taken agni pariksha.'
AJUP chief and Naoda MLA Humayun Kabir has hinted at quitting electoral politics and his assembly membership after his arrest during the Rejinagar bypoll. Kabir, who claims the BJP will win Rejinagar due to a "looted mandate," expressed disillusionment with the democratic system and vowed not to attend the state assembly as long as Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is in office. He also alleged betrayal by Adhikari regarding his son's bypoll prospects.
BJP president Nitin Nabin praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 25-year journey as a leader, asserting that Modi is India's first prime minister to be directly chosen by the people through a public mandate, unlike previous PMs like Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi who were initially selected by their party. Nabin highlighted Modi's rise based on organisational experience and public support, not political dynasty.
Former IAS officer Divya Mittal has announced her independent entry into politics, starting her journey in Uttar Pradesh. She aims to create a platform to voice public grievances and challenge systemic issues, focusing on intent and justice rather than party politics.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan has strongly condemned alleged communal remarks made by CPI(M) leader P Nandakumar regarding Malappuram district, linking them to past statements by former CM Pinarayi Vijayan. Satheesan demanded an apology from the CPI(M) and clarification from its leadership, warning of strict action against communal hatred. CPI(M) leaders, including Nandakumar, have denied the allegations, stating their criticism was aimed at communal influences on political parties, not the district itself.
The son of slain Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar has accused former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband of orchestrating his father's murder. While Shinde denies the allegations, calling them politically motivated, Thane police have arrested one suspect and detained another. The incident has sparked protests and intensified political rivalries ahead of the 2026 Thane Municipal Corporation elections.
Former civil servants and rights activists have issued a "people's impeachment" notice demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. They allege six charges against him, including undermining the Election Commission's functioning, mass disenfranchisement through Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and compromising political impartiality. The group, including G K Pillai and Najeeb Jung, was prevented from submitting the notice at the EC office.
Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary Pradeep Purnekar was brutally murdered in Thane, Maharashtra, leading to one arrest and one detention. The incident has sparked widespread protests, with party leaders like Aaditya Thackeray and Sanjay Raut alleging political rivalry and demanding further arrests, including a former mayor and her husband. Police are investigating all potential angles, including personal enmity and Purnekar's activism against the builder lobby and drug networks.
The Delhi High Court has dismissed petitions seeking a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the 2020 northeast Delhi riots, stating no case was made out against politicians, including BJP leaders Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma, for alleged hate speeches. The court noted "political selectivity" in targeting certain individuals and found no exceptional circumstances to warrant further FIRs or a court-monitored investigation, emphasizing that the criminal justice process has significantly progressed.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray has denied any knowledge of or meeting with late Disha Salian, former manager of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. He alleges that attempts to link his name to the case are politically motivated character assassination, following the CBI's registration of an FIR in the 2020 Disha Salian death case.
A man identified as Samsher Khan was hacked to death in West Bengal's Paschim Medinipur district following a clash between two groups. Locals allege the incident stemmed from political factionalism within the BJP, a claim denied by a party official who stated the deceased was not a BJP worker. Police are investigating the matter.
The Congress government in Karnataka has issued an order limiting the singing of 'Vande Mataram' to its first two stanzas at state programmes, with exceptions for events attended by high-ranking officials. This decision, based on a 1937 Congress resolution, has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition BJP, which labels it "appeasement politics" and an insult to the national symbol.
The BJP has accused the Congress of spreading "fake news" regarding UPI transaction charges, asserting that the government has clarified that consumers will not be levied merchant discount rate (MDR) charges. This comes after the Congress criticised a government notification, alleging it paves the way for imposing fees on UPI transactions. The BJP has strongly refuted these claims, highlighting that most UPI transactions remain free and the government provides incentives to maintain a charge-free ecosystem for users.
Police in Jamui, Bihar, have arrested two main accused in the molestation of a minor girl, bringing the total arrests to five. The arrests followed an encounter where the accused were injured. The incident, captured in a viral video, has ignited a fierce political debate between the ruling NDA and opposition parties over law and order in the state.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has dismissed speculation about a potential move to national politics, asserting his commitment to serving the state. He clarified that his visit to Delhi was to discuss Maharashtra's development projects with the central government, not for a change in his political role.
Union Minister Rajnath Singh has accused the Congress and its allies of attempting to instigate a 'Bangladesh-like regime change' in India, leveraging youth energy for political confrontation and anarchy, rather than constructive nation-building.
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has strongly criticised Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's decision to skip the BRICS summit in India, calling it "immature" and detrimental to Bangladesh's national interest. She argued that the absence lost opportunities for economic development and that foreign policy should not be driven by personal considerations. Hasina also highlighted the current "grave national crisis" in Bangladesh and her intention to return to restore democracy.
The Centre has established a committee to draft an agreement and finalise modalities for a 'permanent political solution' to the Gorkha identity issue in the Darjeeling hills and adjoining areas, following a tripartite meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Gorkha leaders, and the West Bengal government.
The Indian government has introduced a 0.4% transaction fee on UPI payments above Rs 2,000 for merchants, effective October 15, sparking a political row. The Congress party has labelled it a "Modi tax" and accused the government of succumbing to US pressure, while the BJP has defended the move, clarifying that consumers will not be charged and small vendors are protected. The finance ministry reiterated that the charge is on merchants, not customers.
Bengaluru police have detained two individuals for questioning regarding an alleged defamatory social media post targeting former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The detention follows Siddaramaiah's complaint and an injunction order against media outlets. Political figures have termed the incident a 'sting operation', with calls for a CBI probe.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has initiated legal proceedings, including seeking a court injunction and filing a police complaint, against a video circulating on social media that he claims falsely links him to a sting operation. He and his son, Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah, assert the video is a fabricated attempt at character assassination and disinformation.
When it pretends to be deaf, a situation can snowball into something it cannot contain. The government cannot dismiss public anger merely because protests are inconvenient or politically embarrassing, asserts Ramesh Menon.
With the anti-Gyanesh Kumar campaign, Rahul Gandhi is showing he is determined to not let anyone else claim credit for what follows, notes Saisuresh Sivaswamy.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and student organisations have accused the government of attempting to influence electoral outcomes by allegedly deleting over 13 crore voters. They have demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing alleged irregularities in voter rolls and criticising the police crackdown on protesters. Leaders questioned the government's protection of the CEC and linked voter deletions to the narrow victory margin in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The INDIA bloc, comprising 17 opposition parties and civil society members, met at Rahul Gandhi's residence to strategize against alleged "vote chori" and the denotification of Jantar Mantar as a protest site. Leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Tejashwi Yadav, vowed to continue their united political and people's resistance, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and asserting that those responsible for undermining democracy would be held accountable.
Bollywood actor Imran Khan, an American national, has been issued a notice by Mumbai Police directing him to leave India by October 28 for allegedly violating immigration laws by participating in a political protest.
Bollywood actor Imran Khan, an American citizen holding an OCI card, has been issued a 'Leave India' notice by Mumbai Police for participating in a protest, sparking debate over OCI cardholder rights and political expression.
The owner of a medical store, Ashwani Kumar, accused of fatally shooting anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Punjab's Mansa, has been arrested from Rajasthan. Following his arrest, angry mobs set his medical store ablaze and authorities razed a portion of his house, while Jhota's father has called for a statewide bandh on October 15.
Rahul Gandhi's aggressive street politics is giving him a fresh political edge, but overplaying his role could hurt his credibility with the wider opposition, predicts M R Narayan Swamy.
A recent IIT Indore study highlights the evolving landscape of protest sites in Delhi, from Rajpath to Jantar Mantar, and now to more distant locations like Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground. This shift, driven by authorities, raises concerns about the visibility, accessibility, and effectiveness of democratic protests, as moving demonstrations further away from power centres can diminish their impact and public engagement.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke called for a 'Lehra do Tiranga' march in Central Park, Connaught Place, on Friday, despite the NDMC announcing the park's closure and Delhi Police citing prohibitory orders against mass gatherings. The march is part of an ongoing protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls. Police have urged people to stay away, while Dipke questioned the authorities' stance on waving the national flag and alleged surveillance. The agitation follows the arrest of CJP leaders and the denotification of Jantar Mantar as a protest site.
At least 13 children, all under 15 years old, drowned after a boat carrying over a dozen passengers capsized in the Ganga river in Bihar's Vaishali district, prompting rescue operations and an ex gratia announcement.
Gujarati folk singer Aditya Gadhvi has publicly distanced himself from an incident where non-Hindus and Muslims were asked to leave a high-end garba event in Ahmedabad during Navratri. The announcement was made from the stage by anchor-RJ Akash Trivedi, reportedly at the behest of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) volunteers. Gadhvi stated that the action was not his doing or message, emphasising that his stage is for music and devotion, and garba welcomes everyone with love and respect for Maa Durga.
Union minister Chirag Paswan criticised the Opposition for playing politics with protests against the Election Commission, particularly regarding the Cockroach Janata Party's planned demonstrations and the resulting train cancellations. He asserted that such disruptions cannot deter India's youth and urged the Opposition to seek solutions rather than merely protesting.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and various student organisations have called for a united protest on October 10 against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. They demand his resignation and an overhaul of the electoral system, describing the confrontation as a fight for democracy against the BJP. The groups are seeking to sustain street pressure, following a previous agitation that led to a minister's resignation.
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has refuted claims that Rahul Gandhi pushed him during a protest march in Delhi, clarifying that Gandhi was concerned for his safety. This comes after a viral video sparked a political slugfest between the Congress and the BJP, with the latter accusing Gandhi of insulting the state.
