His remarks came after the Kerala assembly on Tuesday passed the Kerala State Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Bill, 2025, which marks a break from the Communist Party of India Marxist-led government's long-standing opposition to the privatisation of education.
The CPI and CPI(M) have announced they will contest one Assembly segment each in the upcoming Tamil Nadu bypolls, while continuing their outside support for the ruling TVK. This decision creates a five-cornered contest and highlights the Left parties' independent stance, aimed at preventing indirect BJP influence and addressing public issues.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is set to chair a crucial TVK alliance coordination meeting in Chennai. The meeting aims to formalise the ruling coalition's structure, common minimum programme, and joint steering committee. However, the absence of key Left allies and a public rift between TVK and Congress over national leadership aspirations threaten to destabilise the alliance, highlighting a significant test for CM Vijay's political management.
The BJP has announced Hasirani Rath, mother of slain former aide to Suvendu Adhikari, as its candidate for the Nandigram bypoll, aiming for an emotive campaign. The party also named Sakharav Sarkar for the Rejinagar seat. These bypolls are set against a backdrop of multi-cornered contests and internal TMC disputes, with voting scheduled for October 6.
The Congress party won six out of nine wards where repolling was conducted across four urban local bodies in Rajasthan, while the BJP secured three. These results finalise the tally for all 10,244 wards, with the BJP holding the overall lead in total wards won, followed by Congress and Independents. The process for electing mayors and chairpersons is now underway.
AICC general secretary K C Venugopal announced that Rahul Gandhi would lead the INDIA bloc in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, dismissing reports of TVK proposing C Joseph Vijay as a prime ministerial candidate. Venugopal highlighted Gandhi's widespread appeal and campaigns on key issues, while also addressing internal alliance differences and criticising the BJP government's actions.
A TMC office, former MLA and councillor residences, and a CPI(M) memorial were allegedly vandalised in Jadavpur, Kolkata. The Trinamool Congress and the Left Front have accused BJP workers of the attacks, while the BJP has denied involvement, attributing the incidents to internal TMC disputes.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has clarified that his recent jaw-touching gesture in the State Assembly was unintentional, not meant to mock DMK president MK Stalin. The gesture sparked social media debate and drew criticism from CPI(M) State Secretary P Shanmugam, who linked it to Stalin's jaw fracture during the Emergency. Vijay made the gesture while criticising the DMK over alleged corruption.
AICC general secretary K C Venugopal announced that the Congress would not withdraw its candidate Milan Pradhan from the Nandigram Assembly bypoll in West Bengal, despite his recent arrest. Pradhan was apprehended in connection with a 2007 anti-land acquisition movement case, shortly after the Trinamool Congress extended its support to him. Venugopal alleged political pressure and questioned the Election Commission's silence, vowing to elevate the issue to a national level.
The BJP has narrowly defeated the Congress in the Rajasthan urban local body elections by less than one percentage point. Independent candidates secured a significant share of votes, and NOTA outperformed several smaller parties. Prime Minister Modi lauded the BJP's performance, attributing it to public support for good governance.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan stated that the state government adheres to Central protocol for Vande Mataram recitation when the President, Vice-President, or Prime Minister attend official functions, despite his party's internal policy. This clarification follows a controversy and protests from the CPI(M) and SFI regarding the full rendition of the national song at a recent state event.
The INDIA bloc meeting saw discussions about the emerging youth-led Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), with leaders holding divergent views on its intent and significance. While some expressed concerns about its political motives, many saw it as a healthy sign of youth dissent against the system, prompting calls for engagement and attention to the issues raised.
The Left Democratic Front's defeat in Kerala marks a historic moment as Left parties are without power in any state for the first time in decades, highlighting their diminishing political influence across India.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said there are some parties that have expressed their inability to attend this particular meeting for their own reasons.
A proposed Rs 1,200 crore Secretariat-Assembly complex in Pattinapakkam, Chennai, has ignited significant opposition from local fishing communities and various political parties. Residents fear displacement, loss of livelihood, and environmental damage, citing ancestral rights and broken promises. Political leaders across the spectrum are urging Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to reconsider the site, highlighting concerns about ecological impact, traffic, and financial priorities.
Mamata Banerjee, who founded the Trinamool Congress through an act of rebellion against the Congress, now faces a similar internal revolt that threatens the very identity of her party. The Election Commission's interim decision to withhold the TMC name and symbol for the upcoming bypolls highlights a deeper struggle for political inheritance. This situation, unprecedented for the party, forces both Mamata's loyalists and rebels to seek electoral recognition without their established identity, marking a significant challenge to her long-standing dominance.
Political circles in Tamil Nadu are rife with speculation about a potential alliance between rivals DMK and AIADMK to prevent the TVK from forming a government. This comes after the Congress party joined forces with TVK, further complicating the political landscape.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan's Facebook post criticising Islamic scholar Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar's alleged anti-women remarks has disappeared, with the CMO citing a technical error. The incident has sparked political criticism from CPI(M) and BJP, who question the explanation and accuse the Congress of hypocrisy.
'The Dravidian parties wanted to prevent the TVK from forming a government.'
A member of actor-turned-politician Vijay-led Tamilaka Vettri Kazhagam on Friday moved the Supreme Court seeking directions to Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to invite his single largest political party to form the government in the state.
A school teacher in Kerala has been suspended after a controversial question in a Social Science Club Freedom Quiz 2026 questionnaire identified V D Savarkar as the freedom fighter who received the maximum punishment from the British. The incident in Kasaragod district sparked widespread protests and criticism from Left organisations, leading to an inquiry and disciplinary action.
The All India Students' Association (AISA) has announced its support for the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) proposed September 5 protest march in Delhi. The demonstration aims to demand the withdrawal of FIRs against students and an inquiry into alleged pellet and bullet firing during previous agitations, alongside addressing unresolved issues related to the NEET exam.
Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned following an uproar over an alleged derogatory 'lungiwala' remark made by BJP MP Sushmita Dev against CPI(M)'s John Brittas, who had moved a privilege motion. Dev denied the accusation, stating she had not cast aspersions on any state's attire.
A Rajya Sabha lawmaker has filed a plea in the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi Police's alleged use of facial recognition technology and other biometric surveillance during a recent protest. The plea argues that such surveillance at peaceful assemblies is unconstitutional and lacks legal backing, seeking a declaration against its indiscriminate use and a mechanism for data access and deletion.
Leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc met in New Delhi on Monday and decided to write to the chief justice of India on the Special Intesive Revision exercise and "vote loot", besides demanding the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-CBSE row.
The Tamil Nadu Assembly has adopted a resolution, moved by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, urging the Union government to permanently fix the Lok Sabha strength at 543 and implement 33 per cent women's reservation by 2029. The resolution also opposes delimitation that could disadvantage states successful in population control.
C Joseph Vijay was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at a gala event attended by prominent personalities including Rahul Gandhi. The swearing-in ceremony saw the presence of Vijay's parents and actress Trisha, while former CMs M K Stalin and Edappadi K Palaniswami were absent.
A new report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) reveals a significant increase in donations to national parties in India, with the BJP receiving the overwhelming majority, surpassing the combined total of all other national parties by more than tenfold.
The highlight of the occasion, according to officials, is an address to a special gathering in the morning by President Xi Jinping, who cast himself in the mould of Mao Zedong, the founder of the Communist Party of China as it is officially called.
The Bihar government has announced the withdrawal of all cases filed against protesters involved in demonstrations concerning the NEET paper leak. This decision includes the release of individuals who were jailed in connection with these incidents.
Actor Vijay is set to be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), secured a majority in the Assembly with coalition support. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai.
A leader of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Monday gave the West Bengal government 10 days to arrest all those allegedly involved in the death of the father of a party volunteer in Bankura district and demanded a probe into the conduct of police personnel at the local police station.
Student organisations across India are protesting the National Testing Agency's (NTA) decision to re-conduct the UGC-NET examinations for three subjects, citing repeated lapses that jeopardise students' academic and career plans. They are demanding the NTA be scrapped or held accountable for its failures.
The Kerala High Court has vacated its order for police protection to a young woman, who gained fame during the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela, after police reported they could not trace her. Her husband faces kidnapping charges, as her family claims she is a minor and opposed their marriage. The court stated protection would be provided if she approaches them.
The precedence given to 'Vande Mataram' and 'Jana Gana Mana' over the 'Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu' has triggered a controversy in Tamil Nadu, with political parties condemning the decision to relegate the Tamil invocation to third place at the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister Joseph C Vijay.
The Airports Authority of India has received a request for a waiver from contractual restrictions that prevent airport concessionaires and their group entities from holding equity in scheduled airlines, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol confirmed in the Rajya Sabha. This comes amid reports of the Adani group's interest in the airline business, despite their denial.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's health has deteriorated significantly on the 15th day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, where the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is protesting alleged examination irregularities. Wangchuk's blood pressure has dropped and he has lost 7.8 kg, while the protest is drawing support from political leaders and public intellectuals.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan addressed the controversy surrounding the full rendition of Vande Mataram during the UDF government's swearing-in ceremony, stating that neither he nor his colleagues were informed beforehand. The issue has sparked political debate, with the CPI(M) criticising the move and the BJP accusing the Communists of insulting the national song.
8 Member of Parliaments were suspended from Lok Sabha for tearing & throwing papers at the Chair till April 2. Uproar started when Rahul Gandhi was barred from citing former Army Chief, General M M Naravane's memoir on 2020 India-China clash. Rediff.com brings you the details of these MPs who were suspended.
The INDIA bloc faces challenges after recent state election defeats for key members like TMC and DMK, potentially shifting internal dynamics and leadership considerations.
