Americans are voting in crucial midterm elections, widely seen as a referendum on Donald Trump's presidency. The elections will determine control of the House and Senate, with Democrats hoping to gain power. Key races include governorships and numerous Indian-American candidates. Trump's last-minute policy announcements and campaigning efforts are highlighted, as analysts predict a potential shift in power that could limit his agenda.
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.
Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal criticised the Centre for the security clampdown in central Delhi against the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest, calling it "worse than Emergency" and alleging dictatorship. He also accused Prime Minister Modi of being scared and protecting "vote chori" by crushing democracy, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The INDIA bloc, comprising 17 opposition parties and civil society members, met at Rahul Gandhi's residence to strategize against alleged "vote chori" and the denotification of Jantar Mantar as a protest site. Leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Tejashwi Yadav, vowed to continue their united political and people's resistance, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and asserting that those responsible for undermining democracy would be held accountable.
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.
Billionaire Elon Musk reacted to the Democratic sweep in the 2026 US midterm elections with sarcastic posts on X, lamenting that his 'election-interfering space lasers didn't work' and suggesting 'data centers in space' looked appealing after Republicans suffered major setbacks despite his extensive financial support.
Donald Trump has announced that Stephen Miller will take over as White House Chief of Staff from November 9, 2026, replacing Susie Wiles, who will move to Trump's political operation. Trump praised both Miller and Wiles, indicating a desire for strategic changes within his administration.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is continuing its protests against alleged electoral roll irregularities, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Despite detentions and police restrictions on Saturday, the CJP announced another demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Sunday. The party condemned the detention of its leaders and other protesters, alleging an "undeclared Emergency" and questioning the whereabouts of its founder and co-convenors. Opposition parties and civil society groups have expressed solidarity, vowing to continue the campaign for electoral transparency.
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.
Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei has declared that the results of the US midterm elections and shifts between American political parties will not alter Iran's defensive strategy or soften Washington's long-standing hostility toward the Iranian nation.
Sonia Gandhi's memoir, "Belonging: A Journey of Love," reveals her interactions with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, including a phone call after the 2001 Parliament attack and a heated exchange during a joint session in 2002 over the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO). Gandhi recounts Vajpayee's strong reaction to her criticism and her later reflection on the incident.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has introduced the word 'quockerwodger' as an alternative to terms like "andhbhakts" and "paid followers" often used in political discourse. He defined it as a "political puppet" or a person controlled by others. Tharoor has a history of sharing obscure English words, often using them to comment on political situations, prompting social media users to look up their meanings.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to an open debate regarding Modi's accusations that the opposition is seeking foreign help to destabilise India. Gandhi retorted by claiming Modi himself became and remains PM due to foreign assistance, accusing him of lying. Modi had previously criticised the opposition for obstructing national development and aligning with anti-India forces.
Power, patronage and money fuel politics in drought: And the ruling party controls all of those, points out Aditi Phadnis.
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.
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.
MPSC aspirants are protesting in Pune, demanding reforms and the resignation of the MPSC chairman due to alleged paper leaks. NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar announced that Rahul Gandhi is expected to meet the protesters on October 7 or 8. The Maharashtra government has already terminated an MPSC secretary and initiated a judicial inquiry into the commission's functioning.
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.
Congress MLA Ramya Haridas was involved in a scuffle with local party workers in Chirayinkeezhu, Thiruvananthapuram, leading to injuries and police cases. Both Haridas and the party workers, including district panchayat member Sajith Muttambalam and leader Sajad, have filed complaints, each presenting a different account of the incident which reportedly stemmed from a dispute over a WhatsApp post and the role of Haridas' staff member.
The Congress-led INDIA bloc held a major protest rally in Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities and past corruption allegations. Leaders stated the protest was a "stern warning" to the government, vowing to continue until Kumar steps down, citing threats to parliamentary democracy.
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.
Former US National Security Adviser John Bolton criticises JD Vance's attempt to distance himself from Donald Trump by blaming Republican midterm losses on the Iran war, calling it a "big political mistake". Bolton argues that broader voter dissatisfaction stemmed from economic issues, rising prices, and Trump's tariff policies, not just the Iran war. He also discusses Trump's leadership style, potential investigations, and the impact of US domestic turmoil on US-India relations.
The Bharatiya Janata Party received nearly Rs 1,473 crore at its central headquarters alone during the last five state assembly elections, more than seven times the Rs 207 crore in net receipts reported by the Congress across its central and state units, according to expenditure statements filed with the Election Commission.
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.
Indian stock markets extended their rally for the fifth consecutive day, with the Sensex climbing nearly 384 points to close above 77,000, driven by foreign fund inflows, easing crude oil prices, and improved global sentiment following the US midterm election results.
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.
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.
BJP president Nitin Nabin praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 25-year journey as a leader, asserting that Modi is India's first prime minister to be directly chosen by the people through a public mandate, unlike previous PMs like Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi who were initially selected by their party. Nabin highlighted Modi's rise based on organisational experience and public support, not political dynasty.
Elon Musk has escalated his criticism of Indian industrialist Mukesh Ambani, sharing media reports that alleged Reliance-funded firms helped boost BJP campaigns on social media and made large political donations. This comes amidst a persistent delay in the launch of Starlink satellite broadband services in India, with Musk accusing Ambani of protecting a monopoly. The Indian government maintains its telecom framework is fair and non-discriminatory, while Reliance has not publicly responded to Musk's allegations.
Sonia Gandhi's memoir, "Belonging: A Journey Of Love," recounts a poignant incident from Rahul Gandhi's seventh birthday in 1977, shortly after Indira Gandhi's electoral defeat. Most of his friends skipped the celebration, offering Rahul an early, painful lesson in the fickle nature of political relationships, a theme that also affected Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
'Trump has weakened, not necessarily restrained.'
The body of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, who was shot dead on October 13, has been moved to PGIMER for post-mortem after his family ended a 22-day agitation. The family's protest concluded following a meeting with Punjab government representatives, who agreed to several demands including compensation, a job for Jhota's wife, and the release of arrested protesters.
An organisational meeting of the Punjab Congress in Ludhiana, aimed at preparing for the 2027 assembly elections, was marred by protests and "go back" slogans against senior leaders Bhupesh Baghel and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, highlighting the party's persistent internal divisions.
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.
The BJP criticised Rahul Gandhi's remarks comparing Prime Minister Modi to a "Mughal emperor" and calling the 2024 Lok Sabha elections "illegal" during the INDIA bloc's 'Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao' rally. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra labelled the rally a "chaotic spectacle" and questioned Gandhi's claims, highlighting the democratic process that allows common people to rise to power.
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".
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.
A police officer was killed and a constable injured in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district while attempting to intercept a truck carrying illicit liquor. The incident has led to a major crackdown on the liquor mafia, with key suspects arrested and a larger network being investigated. The Chief Minister has ordered an impartial probe and announced financial assistance and a job for the officer's family, while the incident has also sparked political debate.
Shuchita Patel, an Indian-American Democrat, is making a historic bid for Forsyth County Commissioner in Georgia, a region with a dark racial past. Running against a 16-year unopposed incumbent, Patel aims to bring change and stand up to what she calls a "bully" opponent, driven by a desire to create a better community for future generations amidst a deeply divided American political landscape.
