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.
Indian-born democratic socialist Nithya Raman has been elected Mayor of Los Angeles, becoming the first South Asian mayor of the nation's second-largest city. Her victory is part of a broader trend of Indian-American candidates winning in the US midterm elections, highlighting the growing political power of the community.
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.
Sonia Gandhi's memoir, "Belonging: A Journey of Love," reveals for the first time her profound grief over the loss of her first child, a boy born prematurely in January 1969. The intensely personal account details the family's brief joy, the baby's subsequent death, and the difficult decision regarding his burial at Feroze Gandhi's farm in Mehrauli, alongside the emotional toll and public scrutiny she faced.
The Supreme Court has sought a response from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi regarding a plea alleging he pushed a pregnant journalist during a march to the apex court on October 12. The plea seeks an FIR and compensation for the alleged assault, which occurred amidst a protest against alleged voter deletions.
Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi announced her upcoming memoir, "Belonging: A Journey of Love," set for release on November 10. Gandhi, who recently joined social media, stated that the book will present her personal account, correcting past narratives. The memoir's publication has already sparked controversy, with HarperCollins India taking over after an "impasse" with Penguin Random House India, amidst allegations of external pressure regarding editorial content. The book will cover her life from childhood in Italy to her political journey in India, including family tragedies and key political decisions.
BJP MLC Parinay Fuke claimed NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar was considering joining the Congress, citing deteriorating relations with Supriya Sule. In response, Pawar accused Fuke of shielding alleged corruption, particularly concerning illegal sand businesses, paddy procurement issues, and irregularities in an employment guarantee scheme, challenging him to address farmers' concerns instead of making baseless claims.
Pope Leo XIV has made history by becoming the first pontiff to vote in a United States election, submitting a mail-in ballot for the upcoming midterm elections. The Vatican confirmed his participation, citing his long-standing belief in civic duty and democratic processes, having voted in previous elections as a US citizen and during his residence in Peru. The US midterm elections, scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026, will determine control of Congress and have significant implications for the current administration.
The US midterm elections saw the Democratic Party gain control of Congress and key gubernatorial posts, leading international affairs experts to view the outcome as a referendum on President Donald Trump's policies. Analysts suggest the results signal a desire for change in his behaviour and could prompt a more pragmatic approach in his remaining term, with potential implications for global politics and India-US relations.
The portal has received over 36,000 registrations since October 3, with education and corruption emerging as the leading grievances across states and Union Territories.
Democrats are projected to gain control of the US House of Representatives, marking a significant political shift. This comes as voters express discontent over economic anxiety, the Iran war, and tariffs, leading to a rebuke of the Republican party. The shift will empower Democrats to scrutinize the Trump administration and block Republican legislative efforts, with Representative Hakeem Jeffries potentially becoming the first African American Speaker.
Sonia Gandhi's memoir "Belonging: A Journey Of Love" shares personal anecdotes about her interactions with prominent world figures. She recounts observing Bill Clinton's behaviour at a reception, Nicolas Sarkozy's open discussions about his love life, and her poignant meetings with Princess Diana, highlighting their personalities and the dynamics of these high-profile encounters.
The Election Commission has suspended two electoral registration officers (EROs) in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, for alleged irregularities in the electoral roll. The EC also directed the addition of a penal provision to an existing FIR against them and a computer operator. This action follows complaints from opposition parties about large-scale manipulation and an inquiry revealing misuse of login IDs for voter detail changes without proper documentation.
The Congress has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "deafening silence" regarding reported face-offs with the Chinese Army in Arunachal Pradesh.
Television actress Urmila Sanawar faces a fresh First Information Report (FIR) in connection with the Ankita Bhandari murder case, a day after her arrest in Uttar Pradesh. The new FIR, filed by a Dehradun resident, alleges "objectionable and defamatory allegations" made by Sanawar against Sikkim Governor Dushyant Kumar Gautam and BJP national general secretary BL Santosh. Sanawar is scheduled to undergo a narco-analysis test as part of the CBI inquiry, while the Uttarakhand Congress has criticised her arrest, claiming it is an attempt to shield influential individuals involved in the murder case.
Air Chief Marshal A P Singh raised concerns with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh regarding the sealing of the Indian Air Force's sports complex within the Race Course Air Force Station by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The move, which led to the cancellation of a farewell event, is part of a broader government drive to reclaim prime land parcels in the area, despite the IAF citing operational importance and a 2014 joint survey.
A political controversy erupted in Mumbai after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) removed actor Dia Mirza's video from its eco-friendly Diwali campaign. The video, which urged citizens to avoid firecrackers for environmental reasons, was taken down following objections from a BJP leader and comments from the Mayor labelling Mirza as "anti-Hindu." This move has drawn criticism from opposition parties, who accuse the BMC of succumbing to political pressure, while BJP leaders defended the removal, citing Mirza's past stances and alleged "anti-Hindu" views.
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.
India celebrated Diwali with traditional fervour, marked by diverse festivities across the nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated with security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Bastar, while other political leaders like Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Yogi Adityanath also shared their celebrations. Meanwhile, Delhi faced challenges with 'very poor' air quality and strict vigil on firecracker bursting.
The Supreme Court has instructed the Election Commission to probe allegations of irregularities, specifically concerning bulk Form 7 applications, during the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Uttar Pradesh. The court's directive came after petitioners raised concerns about the deletion of voters' names, with the EC acknowledging bulk submissions but stating they were not acted upon due to being false.
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has made her debut on social media platform X, sharing a video about her upcoming memoir, "Belonging - a journey of love." In the video, she reminisces about meeting Rajiv Gandhi in Cambridge, describing him as gentle and good-looking, and shares details about their early romance. The book, set to launch on November 10, covers her life from childhood in Italy to her marriage, adaptation to India, family tragedies, and political journey.
Sonia Gandhi's memoir "Belonging: A Journey of Love" details the tumultuous relationship between her and Maneka Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi's wife. It covers Maneka's entry into the family, growing tensions, political ambitions, and eventual dramatic departure, which Sonia describes as a "reality show".
NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai on Wednesday for further tests, hours after being discharged from Ruby Hall Clinic in Pune. He had been admitted to the Pune hospital on November 2 for cough and chest pain. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also called Pawar to inquire about his health.
Analysts predict that the US midterm election results, which saw Democrats gain control of Congress, will primarily influence Indian markets through changes in global financial conditions, trade policy expectations, and geopolitical developments, with a keen focus on the US administration's actions in West Asia and their potential impact on crude oil prices.
Tribal activist Nisha Kumari Bhagat allegedly died by suicide in Ranchi on Friday after going live on Facebook, accusing the state's Hemant Soren government and land brokers of harassment. Her death has led to demands for the Chief Minister's resignation from the opposition BJP and a fair investigation from JMM ally CPI(ML) Liberation.
The INDIA bloc conducted a symbolic "public impeachment" of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of operating under the influence of the Modi government and threatening voting rights. Led by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and presided over by former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, the event saw leaders demand Kumar's removal, the repeal of the 2023 law governing election commissioner appointments, and an end to the Special Intensive Revision exercise, alleging intentional deletion of around 14 crore voters.
The Congress party has criticised the Modi government over a notification regarding UPI transactions, alleging it paves the way for imposing fees, especially on transactions above Rs 2,000. Rahul Gandhi claimed the government is surrendering to American pressure, while Mallikarjun Kharge highlighted the potential burden on common citizens amidst inflation. The government's notification prohibits charges on UPI transactions up to Rs 2,000 but remains silent on higher amounts, sparking fears of a "Digital Payments Tax."
Indian American Pia Dandiya has won the election to the US House of Representatives from Florida's 22nd congressional district, defeating Marine veteran Casey Askar. Dandiya, a former high school principal, secured 51.9 per cent of the votes, becoming the newest Indian-American US congresswoman and turning a competitive district blue.
Maharashtra's ruling Mahayuti alliance is facing internal strife after the NCP accused Shiv Sena MLA Abdul Sattar of actively working against its candidate, Satish Chavan, in the recent Legislative Council elections for the Aurangabad graduates' constituency, leading to Chavan's defeat.
Saurabh Chandrakar, alleged kingpin of the Rs 6,000-crore Mahadev online betting app scam, has been granted to CBI custody for eight days by a special court in Raipur. Chandrakar was recently extradited from Oman and brought to Raipur. His defence lawyer raised objections regarding extradition laws, stating he was extradited for an ED case, not a CBI case. The CBI alleges the Mahadev app was a large illegal betting syndicate operating from outside India, routing proceeds via hawala and paying protection money. The case involves high-ranking politicians and bureaucrats, with former CM Bhupesh Baghel also named in an EOW FIR.
Bengaluru Police Commissioner revealed that the mobile phone used in the alleged sting operation against former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah was purchased in Delhi and handed over at Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy's official residence. An arrested accused, Ritesh Pandey, made this statement. Kumaraswamy has strongly reacted, accusing the police of acting under influence, while Home Minister Priyank Kharge stated the investigation is ongoing with significant leads.
The INDIA Bloc plans a "public impeachment" of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on October 30, followed by a "Dilli Chalo march" to Ramlila Maidan on November 1. These events are part of their protest against alleged "vote chori" and "poll irregularities," aiming to pressure the government and demand Kumar's resignation.
A sharp political slugfest erupted on Thursday as Congress leaders and INDIA bloc allies rallied behind MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's son, Raihan Vadra, accusing the authorities and Centre of censoring artistic expression after Bikaner House requested the removal of several photographs from his exhibition.
Glimpses of Sonia Gandhi as she offers a first look at her upcoming book, Belonging: A Journey of Love.
Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi has made her Instagram debut to announce her upcoming memoir, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love'. The book, set to be published by HarperCollins India on November 10, details her life from childhood in Italy to her political journey in India, including personal tragedies and her decision not to become prime minister in 2004. Her social media entry marks a significant shift, as she previously avoided such platforms. The memoir's publication also follows a controversy with its initial publisher, Penguin Random House India, over editorial differences.
Punjab Police, with central agency support, has secured the deportation of wanted gangster Gurwinder alias Afridi from Ethiopia after a 10-month international manhunt. This marks the first time Punjab Police has secured a fugitive's deportation from an African country. Afridi, a key kingpin of the Doni Bal-Prabh Dassuwal gang, is wanted in over 30 heinous criminal cases, including five murders, and was allegedly directing organised crime from abroad. The operation, codenamed 'Operation SHAHID', involved extensive international coordination and tracking across multiple continents.
The Enforcement Directorate has attached assets worth over Rs 23 crore in an ongoing money laundering investigation related to an alleged online betting network. The assets belong to Karnataka Congress MLA K C Veerendra, Gulshan Khattar, and Neha Tandon. Veerendra, arrested in August 2025, is considered the prime accused in the case, which stems from FIRs across multiple states concerning illegal online betting platforms like King567.
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.
Rahul Gandhi's trip abroad occurred amid protests in New Delhi concerning CEC Gyanesh Kumar and electoral rolls.
