'Nobody, even the government, cannot compel Gyanesh Kumar to resign. He can only be removed through a constitutionally laid down process of impeachment. If he does get impeached, there will be political fallout on Mr Modi's government.'
'On the day of the results itself, Vijay personally requested Rahul Gandhi for support from the Congress.'
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.
The INDIA bloc is intensifying preparations for its November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged "vote chori" and irregularities in electoral rolls. Congress leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi, inspected the site, where tents, chairs, and barricades are being set up. Delhi Police are deploying 3,500 personnel for security, expecting around 50,000 attendees, while the Congress anticipates 10 lakh. The rally is part of a broader campaign against the Election Commission's functioning, following a planned "public impeachment" proceeding.
The Congress high command has intervened to manage discord within the DMK-Congress alliance in Tamil Nadu, following controversial remarks by state leaders regarding power-sharing demands.
Following significant midterm election losses, US Vice President J D Vance is reportedly forming a new political alliance targeting disaffected Trump supporters for the 2028 presidential election, while President Donald Trump is considering whether to retain Pete Hegseth as Secretary of War amid scrutiny over the Iran conflict.
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.
Opposition parties Congress and Goa Forward Party have commenced preliminary discussions for an alliance ahead of the 2027 state assembly polls, with the Aam Aadmi Party also indicating its willingness to join. The primary goal of these potential alliances is to challenge and defeat the ruling BJP government in Goa, which aims for a fourth consecutive term.
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 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.
Samajwadi Party MP Shiv Pal Singh Patel asserted that the Congress would not have secured any seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections without their alliance. He claimed SP chief Akhilesh Yadav persuaded Rahul Gandhi to contest Raebareli and highlighted the SP's significant contribution to the INDIA bloc's success in Uttar Pradesh.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expanded his council of ministers on Tuesday, swearing in four new faces from the Kashmir valley: Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Saifullah, Shameema Firdous, and Altaf Ahmad Wani. This expansion comes after all ministers submitted their resignations, with the Congress, an ally, distancing itself from joining the cabinet until statehood is restored.
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 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.
Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar has accused Chief Minister VD Satheesan of "selective secularism" following the arrest of a YouTuber for allegedly making communal remarks about a Fort Kochi cafe. Chandrasekhar questioned the ruling Congress and CPI(M)'s political culture, which he claims disrespects religious sentiments, while other leaders like Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and MP Hibi Eden condemned the communal remarks and defended Kerala's secular fabric and tourism.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged on Sunday that the BJP had forcibly shut shops in Connaught Place, causing losses to traders. He stated that the INDIA bloc had encouraged rally attendees to shop locally, but the BJP's actions prevented this. Gandhi had previously urged supporters to shop for Diwali, countering BJP's "rumours" about the rally affecting businesses. The INDIA bloc's mega rally at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday aims to protest alleged electoral irregularities.
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.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi encouraged attendees of the INDIA bloc's rally in Delhi to shop locally for Diwali, countering BJP's "rumours" about business disruption. The rally, scheduled for Sunday at Ramlila Maidan, aims to protest alleged electoral irregularities and demand the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation, drawing support from various groups across the country.
Assembly by-elections in Madurantakam and Dharapuram will offer an early measure of the TVK's electoral strength and put the dynamics of its new alliance in focus.
The DMK has launched a strong attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, questioning his silence on alleged voter deletions in Tamil Nadu and accusing him of inconsistency regarding electoral roll revisions. This comes amidst a broader campaign by the INDIA bloc against the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
The Congress and Raijor Dal have finalised a seat-sharing agreement for the Assam assembly elections, with Congress leaving 11 constituencies for Raijor Dal and a friendly contest in two others. The alliance aims to defeat the BJP government.
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.
Lok Sabha MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay's closed-door meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, just before NCPI MPs were to attend an NDA meeting, has ignited speculation about the Nationalist Citizens Party of India's political future and its potential alignment with the BJP-led alliance. The NCPI comprises 20 rebel TMC MPs who broke away after the West Bengal Assembly election.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant has rejected the INDIA bloc leaders' request for a meeting to submit a representation over alleged electoral irregularities, stating that they should approach the court by filing a petition as the matter is already sub judice.
Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the opposition amidst ongoing protests for the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and scrapping of SIR. Shah predicted a "crushing defeat" for the Congress in the 2029 general elections, citing the BJP's and NDA's strong public support and the Congress's dismal performance in recent bypolls and local body elections across several states, including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Tripura. He urged the Congress to introspect instead of engaging in "negative politics" and "fabricated media events."
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrived in Chennai on Saturday for the sixth edition of 'Chhatron Ki Goonj,' a youth outreach programme. He is scheduled to meet Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, marking their first interaction since the formation of the SSJV alliance and TVK joining the INDIA bloc. The visit includes an unscripted interaction with students at Island Grounds, focusing on critical issues, amidst tight security arrangements.
Power, patronage and money fuel politics in drought: And the ruling party controls all of those, points out Aditi Phadnis.
The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has requested a meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to discuss postponing the INDIA bloc's November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan. Traders fear significant business disruption during the festive Diwali season due to the expected large crowd. CTI proposes a dialogue, offering to withdraw protests if convinced of benefits or seeking postponement if losses are proven.
The BJP is increasingly integrating its digital outreach with on-ground mobilisation, using social media attacks, political songs, marches, rallies, and public meetings to amplify its political messaging and counter opposition narratives. This evolving strategy, exemplified by the 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' campaign, aims to take political contests beyond online platforms to streets and campuses, especially in response to the INDIA bloc's recent rally and accusations against the Election Commission.
Unless the Congress stops seeing a CIA and RSS in everyone who disagrees with it, many well-meaning people will find it difficult to rub shoulders with Rahul Gandhi, notes M R Narayan Swamy.
Thousands gathered at Ramlila Maidan for the INDIA bloc's rally, protesting alleged electoral irregularities. The demonstration also served as a platform for diverse concerns including unemployment, inflation, women's safety, the Manipur crisis, and rights of marginalised communities, drawing participants from across India.
Rahul Gandhi led INDIA bloc leaders in a surprise dharna near Jantar Mantar, protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. For the second consecutive day, police detained Gandhi and other opposition MPs, stalling their planned demonstration. The protest saw dramatic moments, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra lying on the street, as leaders vowed to continue their fight for electoral integrity.
NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule has alleged that the BJP is using pens fitted with spy cameras to record voters in the Maharashtra MLC polls for Pune Teachers' and Graduates' constituencies. She claimed voters were offered money to record their votes for BJP candidates. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated he was unaware of such devices. Sule has urged the Election Commission to investigate these serious complaints.
Delhi Police has registered an FIR against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with their supporters, for allegedly forcibly entering Akashvani Bhawan during an opposition march against the Chief Election Commissioner on October 6. The incident occurred after an INDIA bloc protest towards the Election Commission office was halted, leading to detentions.
'Congress needs a positive agenda rather than primarily picking up on two business houses.'
It is too early to judge whether the CJP will become a consequential political movement or remain a moment of protest. Its significance will depend less on the size of crowds or the reach of online campaigns than on what follows when the initial excitement subsides, notes Manoj Mohanka.
INDIA bloc MPs, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were detained during a protest demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, with Congress MP Pawan Khera warning Kumar would 'regret' not meeting them and asserting the 'trouble' had only just begun.
The BJP has accused the Congress and its INDIA bloc allies of deliberately disrupting the Monsoon Session of Parliament, alleging that their conduct has prevented discussions on key Bills and exposed the Opposition's 'double standards' on issues such as paper leaks and student protests.
Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and members of the INDIA bloc, have strongly condemned the arrest and jailing of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-conveners Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka for protesting at Jantar Mantar, asserting that waving the national flag and peaceful protest are not crimes.
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.
