A political controversy has erupted in West Bengal after a plaque bearing former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's name at Kolkata's Nandan cultural hub was painted over, while one for Jyoti Basu remained untouched. This incident, occurring just before the Kolkata International Film Festival, has led to a war of words between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress, with actor Mithun Chakraborty questioning the relevance of Banerjee's name.
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.
India has strongly criticised the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), labelling it a "biased" entity with a "blatantly political agenda." This comes after two senior USCIRF officials raised concerns about alleged vigilante attacks on Sikh gurdwaras in India and urged the US government to hold perpetrators accountable. India's External Affairs Ministry questioned USCIRF's silence on attacks on religious places and racial abuse targeting the Indian community in the US.
Trump seems to have made up his mind that a pliant Pakistan will be more useful than India. We cannot expect a change in Trump's policy towards India in his post midterm poll tenure as America's president, observes Ambassador T N Sreenivasan.
The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has appealed to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi to postpone the party's November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan. Traders fear the rally, expected to draw 10 lakh people, could cause significant business disruption and traffic congestion in central and old Delhi during the crucial Diwali festive season, potentially leading to losses of Rs 10,000-12,000 crore. The CTI has suggested either rescheduling the rally or moving it to Burari Ground.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty surged significantly in early trade, driven by a sharp decline in crude oil prices and optimism surrounding a potential resolution to the West Asia conflict following the US midterm elections, which saw the Democratic Party gain control of Congress. Track Sensex, Nifty on November 5, 2026.
A political controversy has erupted after Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge's "baap" remarks, with the Congress claiming a BJP worker first insulted Kharge's father, prompting his retort. The BJP has strongly condemned Kharge's language, calling it indecent and reflecting the Congress's ideological bankruptcy, while the Congress alleges repeated insults against its chief.
Former US National Security Adviser John Bolton criticises JD Vance's attempt to distance himself from Donald Trump by blaming Republican midterm losses on the Iran war, calling it a "big political mistake". Bolton argues that broader voter dissatisfaction stemmed from economic issues, rising prices, and Trump's tariff policies, not just the Iran war. He also discusses Trump's leadership style, potential investigations, and the impact of US domestic turmoil on US-India relations.
The Allahabad High Court's Lucknow bench has discharged Congress MP Rakesh Rathore in a rape case, ruling that the prosecution material indicated a long-standing consensual relationship between him and the complainant, contrary to allegations of rape on the promise of marriage. The court deemed the allegations contradictory and unfounded, setting aside a lower court's order.
The BJP criticised Rahul Gandhi's remarks comparing Prime Minister Modi to a "Mughal emperor" and calling the 2024 Lok Sabha elections "illegal" during the INDIA bloc's 'Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao' rally. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra labelled the rally a "chaotic spectacle" and questioned Gandhi's claims, highlighting the democratic process that allows common people to rise to power.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to an open debate regarding Modi's accusations that the opposition is seeking foreign help to destabilise India. Gandhi retorted by claiming Modi himself became and remains PM due to foreign assistance, accusing him of lying. Modi had previously criticised the opposition for obstructing national development and aligning with anti-India forces.
The Supreme Court has intervened in the ongoing protests against the Chief Election Commissioner, seeking responses from the Centre and other parties while emphasizing that protest sites cannot be occupied indefinitely, impacting local businesses.
The BJP has launched a new song, "Modi Kahin Nahi Jaayega," as part of its social media campaign against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's controversial "baap" remark about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The song asserts Modi's continued presence and criticises the opposition's language, while the Congress has also intensified its social media attacks, accusing the government of "vote chori" ahead of an INDIA bloc rally.
Sonia Gandhi's memoir, "Belonging: A Journey Of Love," reveals her conversations with then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi regarding the controversial Shah Bano case and the escalating Ram Janmabhoomi dispute. The book details Rajiv's attempts to navigate these complex issues, his rationale behind decisions, and the political fallout, including criticism from the BJP and the eventual destruction of the Babri Masjid in 1992. Gandhi also criticises the RSS's vision of a 'Hindu nation' and its impact on India's social fabric.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge sparked a major controversy on Sunday with his remark "Modi ka baap bhi jayega" during an event in Patna, in response to an audience member's comment about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The statement drew sharp condemnation from senior leaders of the BJP and other NDA allies, including Home Minister Amit Shah and Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who criticised the use of "indecent and unparliamentary language" and demanded an apology from the Congress.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has introduced the word 'quockerwodger' as an alternative to terms like "andhbhakts" and "paid followers" often used in political discourse. He defined it as a "political puppet" or a person controlled by others. Tharoor has a history of sharing obscure English words, often using them to comment on political situations, prompting social media users to look up their meanings.
The Bharatiya Janata Party launched a nationwide protest against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's "indecent and offensive" remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where Kharge retorted "Modi ka baap bhi jayega" during a speech.
The opposition INDIA bloc held a massive rally in Delhi, accusing the BJP of 'vote chori' and electoral irregularities, with Rahul Gandhi asserting that CEC Gyanesh Kumar will be jailed for treason and legal action will be taken against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
The body of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, who was shot dead on October 13, has been moved to PGIMER for post-mortem after his family ended a 22-day agitation. The family's protest concluded following a meeting with Punjab government representatives, who agreed to several demands including compensation, a job for Jhota's wife, and the release of arrested protesters.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has demanded an apology from political opponents, specifically referencing those who "fired on Ram devotees" and "subjected saints to lathicharge," before they visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. His remarks came after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav announced his visit. Adityanath criticised past neglect of Ayodhya and highlighted the city's transformation under his government, attributing it to the strength of Lord Ram's consciousness and the sacrifices of kar sevaks. He also subtly targeted the Congress for questioning Lord Ram's existence in court.
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.
The INDIA bloc conducted a symbolic "public impeachment" of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of electoral malpractice. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar presided from a chair historically used by Jawaharlal Nehru, a detail highlighted by Congress. Opposition leaders demanded Kumar's removal, calling the event a "political weapon."
The family of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota has agreed to his postmortem and cremation, ending a 22-day agitation in Mansa. This follows an agreement with the Punjab government, which includes Rs 2 crore compensation, a job for his wife, release of protesters, and withdrawal of cases. The government also agreed to a CBI probe into Jhota's murder.
The Congress party has criticised the government's new 0.4% charge on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 for merchants, terming it a "Modi tax". Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, allege that this move will ultimately burden consumers through price hikes and accuse the government of succumbing to American pressure to dilute India's zero-MDR policy. The government states the charge will support banks and fintechs.
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.
President Donald Trump says he was joking when he suggested UFC CEO Dana White could become White House press secretary. His social media post had also proposed bringing UFC fighters on board as assistants to help defend his administration against the political left.
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.
US President Donald Trump has acknowledged that his administration's hardline immigration policies may have contributed to the Republican Party's setbacks in the November 3 midterm elections, admitting that the deportation drive targeting undocumented immigrants, including those with long-established jobs and lives in the country, may have been "too tough".
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for alleging the 'criminal destruction' of the Tata Group, urging him to refrain from 'politicising' commercial and legal matters and accusing him of trying to incite business leaders.
The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a petition seeking an FIR against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his alleged remarks on Sikhs during a US visit in 2024. The court affirmed Gandhi's right to free speech as an elected representative, stating that raising concerns about minorities, even on foreign soil, does not automatically constitute an offence. This ruling upholds previous rejections by Varanasi courts.
Delhi's Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has warned that a proposed Congress rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1 could severely disrupt business in 21 major wholesale and retail markets during the peak festive season. The CTI has urged Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge to postpone the rally until after Bhai Dooj on November 10 or move it to an alternative venue, citing potential losses of up to Rs 10,000 crore due to traffic congestion and road closures.
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.
Sonia Gandhi's memoir, "Belonging: A Journey Of Love," recounts a poignant incident from Rahul Gandhi's seventh birthday in 1977, shortly after Indira Gandhi's electoral defeat. Most of his friends skipped the celebration, offering Rahul an early, painful lesson in the fickle nature of political relationships, a theme that also affected Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the approval of the north corridor of the bullet train project by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting its 'Make in India' aspect and potential to transform lives. The corridor will connect major cities from Delhi to Guwahati, significantly reducing travel times. Vaishnaw also launched new Vande Bharat Sleeper Express and MEMU services in Varanasi, while criticising previous governments' railway budgets for Uttar Pradesh.
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.
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.
Speculation about a merger between the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has intensified following a viral video of Praful Patel meeting NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar in hospital. This comes as ruling NCP president Sunil Tatkare revealed that a merger would have occurred in February this year if Ajit Pawar were alive. The meeting and Tatkare's comments have reignited discussions about the future of the NCP.
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.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has urged people to join the opposition INDIA bloc's 'Chalo Dilli' march on November 1, aimed at saving democracy and protecting the Constitution. He assured participants not to fear police action. Other Congress leaders also highlighted alleged electoral irregularities and announced a "public impeachment" of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis addressed speculation regarding a merger between NCP factions led by Sharad Pawar and Sunetra Pawar, stating neither had informed the BJP. He also discussed drought relief measures, water management, pollution in Mumbai, and the city's law and order situation, defending the Mumbai Police's actions against criminal gangs.
