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."
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.
Contractor V O Sajan appeared before the VACB in Thiruvananthapuram for a preliminary probe into alleged corruption in a road project from years ago. The project was undertaken when current Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar served as the Kerala Public Works Department secretary. Sajan claims crucial evidence against Kumar was ignored in an earlier investigation and that statements were altered under pressure.
Sonia Gandhi's memoir "Belonging: A Journey of Love" reveals the intense internal conflict and family opposition behind her decision to decline the prime minister's post in 2004. Despite initial rejection, then a hesitant acceptance under pressure from alliance leaders, she ultimately followed her "inner voice" to refuse the top job, nominating Manmohan Singh instead.
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 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.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, addressing an INDIA bloc rally in New Delhi on Sunday, launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission and the BJP government, alleging "vote chori" in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. He asserted that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar would be removed and jailed for "treason," and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah would face legal action. Gandhi claimed 13.5 crore voters were removed from electoral rolls, making the 2024 elections "illegal." The BJP, in response, accused Gandhi of creating anarchy and having a "dual mentality" regarding democratic outcomes.
The ruling Mahayuti and opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi are set for a significant political contest in the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections. Polling for five seats - three Graduates' and two Teachers' constituencies - will be held on Friday, with 182 candidates in the fray. The results, crucial for both alliances, will be declared on October 27.
Experts suggest that a significant setback for US President Donald Trump in the midterm elections could compel him to pursue a swift trade agreement with India, as he seeks a quick foreign policy win amidst challenges with Russia, China, and Iran.
Indian-American physician Amish Shah has made history by becoming the first from the community to represent Arizona in the US Congress. Shah, a Democrat, defeated Republican Jay Feely in Arizona's First Congressional District, flipping a Republican-held seat. A three-term member of the Arizona House of Representatives, Shah campaigned on issues like lowering costs, expanding healthcare, and solving the water crisis, and his victory is part of a broader trend of Indian-American candidates succeeding in US elections.
Congress's Nandigram bypoll candidate Milan Pradhan has been remanded to judicial custody in connection with old criminal cases, including murder charges from 2007. This development effectively prevents him from campaigning for the upcoming by-election. The Congress party has questioned the timing of the arrest, alleging political motives behind the revival of these long-pending cases.
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.
Tribal students protesting for better facilities and an inquiry into ashram school deaths were detained by police in Mumbai and driven out of the city. They had marched from Nashik and were seeking to meet the Governor.
Sonia Gandhi has broken her silence on the censorship controversy surrounding her memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love.
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.
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.
Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi explained that giving up her Italian passport and adopting Indian citizenship felt more difficult, as it was a part of herself that she had brought from Italy.
Opposition parties in Maharashtra have criticised the state government following a firing incident involving actor Tiger Shroff's car in Mumbai. They allege a deterioration of law and order, citing this and other recent high-profile incidents, and demand a separate home minister.
Leaders of the INDIA bloc on Tuesday announced a protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluruon November 5 against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that constitutional institutions were being misused to undermine democracy.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant asserted that the judiciary cannot be browbeaten, during a hearing on a plea against a political march to the Supreme Court by Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders on October 12. The plea alleges an attempt to obstruct the judicial system and seeks a ban on political demonstrations within court premises. The court has issued notices to the leaders and ordered the preservation of CCTV footage from the incident.
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.
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, in her upcoming memoir "Belonging: A Journey of Love," states that her mother-in-law, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, considered the decision to impose the Emergency a mistake and eventually came to feel the same. Gandhi also suggests that keeping Sanjay Gandhi "in check" could have prevented much of the subsequent damage. She reveals family divisions over the decision, with Rajiv Gandhi opposing it and Sanjay Gandhi pushing for it. Sonia Gandhi further notes that Indira Gandhi later publicly expressed regret for the excesses during that period.
The Congress party has announced a significant organisational reshuffle in its Uttar Pradesh unit, appointing Aradhana Misra-Mona as president and Imran Masood as working president. This strategic move comes ahead of the state assembly elections next year and aims to strike a social balance while strengthening the party's position in the crucial state.
Social media erupted with memes and witty one-liners featuring Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar following Donald Trump's Republican Party's significant losses in the US mid-term polls. These memes humorously suggested Kumar's intervention could have prevented Trump's defeat, drawing parallels to an ongoing "vote chori" controversy in India. The widespread losses for Trump's party were attributed to public anger over his policies.
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.
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.
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.
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".
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has refuted claims that Rahul Gandhi pushed him during a protest march in Delhi, clarifying that Gandhi was concerned for his safety. This comes after a viral video sparked a political slugfest between the Congress and the BJP, with the latter accusing Gandhi of insulting the state.
Andhra Pradesh Congress chief YS Sharmila has decided to move her daughter Anjili Reddy's wedding venue after her brother, former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, refused to allow his Bengaluru property for the ceremony, citing security reasons. Sharmila stated the decision was made to ensure a non-controversial event, despite her claim of full ownership of the property.
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 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.
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.
Indian-American Democratic lawmakers Ami Bera, Ro Khanna, Suhas Subramanyam, and Pramila Jayapal have been re-elected to the US House of Representatives, with Pia Dandiya making her debut, marking a strong showing by the community in the recent midterm elections where Democrats gained control of both the House and Senate.
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.
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.
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 Supreme Court is set to hear a plea filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other opposition figures on Thursday regarding alleged large-scale voter deletions and irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The petition seeks an independent audit of these deletions and modifications, and a direction to prevent further deletions without due process.
The Trinamool Congress has lost the chairpersonship of two significant Parliamentary panels following a reconstitution by Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. This development comes after a split in the TMC, with rebel MPs joining the Nationalist Citizen Party and supporting the NDA. The TMC has strongly criticised the move, alleging that Parliament is being turned into a 'deep, dark chamber' due to their exclusion from committee leadership.
