Sharad Pawar objected to comparing PM Modi with Jawaharlal Nehru, highlighting Nehru's sacrifices and nation-building contributions.
The West Bengal cabinet has decided to discontinue assistance-oriented schemes based on religious categorisation for Imams, muezzins and purohits from June. The cabinet also approved the 'Annapurna' scheme of Rs 3,000 monthly support to women from June 1, and granted in-principle consent for their free travel in state-run buses.
The campaign for elections to 51 urban local bodies, including four municipal corporations in Himachal Pradesh, concluded on Friday, with key issues including infrastructure, tourism, and fuel prices taking centre stage.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the central government of pressuring the outgoing Governor C V Ananda Bose to resign and alleged that his replacement, R N Ravi, is a BJP cadre.
The BJP achieved a clean sweep in nine districts of West Bengal, securing all 68 seats in these regions during the recent election. This victory marks a significant shift in the state's political landscape, ending the Trinamool Congress's 15-year rule and establishing the BJP's dominance.
The only thing that might make the BJP stop trying to isolate Muslims completely will be if substantial numbers of the community vote for the party that flaunts its animosity towards it, notes Jyoti Punwani.
Opposition parties have criticised the AAP government in Punjab following twin blasts in Jalandhar and Amritsar, citing a breakdown in law and order and intelligence systems. The blasts have sparked a political blame game, with accusations flying between the AAP and BJP.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has alleged that the people of Diamond Harbour have been unable to exercise their voting rights for a decade. He assured people that the scenario has now changed, and the May 21 repolling in the Falta Assembly seat will re-establish voter rights.
BJP national president Nitin Nabin announced the party's plan to replicate Assam's 'detect, delete and deport' model to expel alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators in West Bengal if voted to power.
CPI(M) leaders have strongly criticised the ED raids on former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and others, alleging political motivation and a conspiracy by the BJP and Congress. They claim the raids are an attempt to intimidate the party and its leaders, and have vowed to fight back against what they see as a politically fabricated case.
The extent of doubts over the fairness of this election can be assessed by juxtaposing two figures: Total votes polled by the two principal parties and the number of people who were disallowed from voting this time, observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.
Former Assam Congress chief Bhupen Kumar Borah joined the BJP, marking a significant political shift ahead of the upcoming Assam assembly polls.
Under attack from senior Trinamool Congress lawmaker Kalyan Banerjee amid turmoil within the party, its national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Friday struck a conciliatory note, describing the Serampore MP as an elder who has "brought him up" and therefore had every right to criticise him.
A political controversy has erupted in Kerala ahead of the Assembly elections, with the Congress party accusing BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar of concealing details of a high-value property in his election affidavit. Chandrasekhar has denied the allegations, challenging the Congress to prove their claims in court.
Punjab's Leader of Opposition, Partap Singh Bajwa, has criticised the government's conflicting statements regarding recent blasts, calling for transparency and accountability instead of political theatrics.
West Bengal's Bharatiya Janata Party government has moved to institutionalise its "detect, delete and deport" policy by directing all district administrations to set up "holding centres" for suspected illegal foreigners and foreign prisoners awaiting repatriation -- a step that appeared to give administrative shape to one of the party's most potent political themes in the state.
A revenue official in Chhattisgarh has accused BJP MLA Ramkumar Toppo and his supporters of assault, following allegations of misbehaviour against the official by the MLA's cousin.
Kerala's Chief Minister-designate, V D Satheesan, has announced his new ministerial team, emphasising social and regional balance within the coalition. Senior leaders like Ramesh Chennithala and K Muraleedharan are set to be inducted, with Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan nominated as Speaker.
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's dharna and outlined the BJP's promises for the upcoming assembly elections, including job creation, increased financial assistance for women, and proper DA for state government employees.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed BJP workers after the party's performance in assembly elections, urging an end to political violence in West Bengal and a focus on the state's future.
The West Bengal government has transferred 142.79 acres of land to the Border Security Force (BSF) to facilitate the construction of outposts and barbed-wire fencing along the India-Bangladesh border, according to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
A BJP Kisan Morcha leader and two others have been arrested in Chhattisgarh for allegedly cultivating opium worth Rs 8 crore in a maize field. The illegal cultivation was discovered on farmland between Samoda, Jhenjhari, and Sirsa villages.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi intensified the UDF's campaign for the Kerala polls, accusing the CPI(M) of stealing gold from the Sabarimala temple and questioning PM Modi's silence on the issue. He also addressed concerns about rubber prices and the FCRA amendments.
The West Bengal government is considering establishing holding centres near the Petrapole border in North 24 Parganas district to manage growing movement and congestion in border areas.
The Congress party is still undecided on who will be Kerala's next Chief Minister, even after discussions between party leaders. Several leaders are vying for the position, and the high command is waiting for the political climate to calm down before making an announcement.
BJP MP Abhijit Ganguly has alleged lapses in the CBI probe into the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar hospital, demanding an investigation into the role of a senior agency officer. Ganguly claims crucial aspects were not examined, including a sealed room and a staircase allegedly used to move the body. He also referenced a video allegedly suppressed by the CBI officer.
Senior BJP leaders visited the residence of Chandranath Rath, a close aide of Suvendu Adhikari, who was shot dead in North 24 Parganas district. The family will decide on the last rites after the post-mortem examination. BJP workers demanded the arrest of those involved in the killing.
The TMC has dispatched fact-finding teams to investigate alleged post-poll violence against its workers in West Bengal, accusing BJP-backed individuals of carrying out attacks and intimidation.
Suvendu Adhikari and Dilip Ghosh are the top contenders for West Bengal Chief Minister.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini criticised Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for blaming the BJP for recent blasts in Punjab, accusing Mann of losing his mental balance and making irresponsible statements.
Congress leader K C Venugopal has accused the CPI(M) and BJP of forming a 'nexus' in the ongoing Kerala election, alleging a tacit understanding between the parties. He also highlighted the UDF's promises, including free KSRTC bus travel for women and increased welfare pensions.
A local BJP leader, Trilokesh Dhali, was seriously injured after being shot in the stomach by motorcycle-borne assailants in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann met with President Droupadi Murmu to request the termination of Rajya Sabha MPs from Punjab who defected to the BJP. Mann also advocated for a constitutional provision allowing voters to remove elected officials who fail to perform.
Bangladesh's deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina congratulated Suvendu Adhikari on assuming office as West Bengal's Chief Minister after the BJP's victory in the state.
Two men have been arrested in Tumakuru, Karnataka, for allegedly conspiring with a Pakistan-based individual via social media to carry out activities detrimental to India's national security, including planning a murder and blasts. The Intelligence Bureau had been monitoring the suspects.
The BJP has criticised Mamata Banerjee's appearance in the Calcutta High Court as an advocate, calling it a political stunt. The Bar Council of India has requested a report on her enrolment and practice status, leading to a debate over her legal credentials and the norms governing legal practice.
Senior Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee has issued an ultimatum to party chief Mamata Banerjee, asking her to choose between him and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, whom he blames for the party's recent turmoil. This comes as the TMC faces significant internal strife, including multiple Rajya Sabha MP resignations and claims of widespread defection among MLAs and MPs.
The murder of a close aide to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari in West Bengal has ignited post-election violence, raising concerns about political stability and the transition of power.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini affirmed the government's commitment to fulfilling its promises to the Dhanak community by 2029, highlighting welfare measures and initiatives already undertaken.
The announced election schedule for five assemblies reveals fewer phases, a condensed voting period, longer gaps between polling days, and a delayed counting process compared to previous elections.
