Political leaders and dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, joined devotees across the country in celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi with traditional fervour, offering prayers and seeking blessings.
The BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit has strongly criticised Mirwaiz Umar Farooq for advocating the restoration of Article 370, asserting that the constitutional provision has been permanently abrogated and such calls aim to disrupt peace. The party emphasised that Kashmir has moved beyond past conflicts and is focused on development, while reiterating that statehood will be restored at an appropriate time, distinct from Article 370.
Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has publicly responded to yoga guru Baba Ramdev's critical remarks about her controversial comments on Gen Z. The exchange escalated on Instagram after Ramdev questioned Kangana's past, prompting her to reference his 2024 Supreme Court case regarding Patanjali's misleading advertisements.
West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya's comments recalling the role of non-Bengali communities during the 1946 communal riots and alleging past restrictions on Durga Puja have drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, including the TMC, Congress, and CPI(M). Bhattacharya appealed for unity for peaceful Durga Puja celebrations, while opposition leaders accused him of divisive politics and distorting history.
Some see in the CJP the potential of weakening the Opposition. Hence the BJP/RSS's 'softly softly catchee monkey' approach, with co-option being the ultimate aim, points out Aditi Phadnis.
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla has resigned from all his party positions and primary membership, citing pressing financial and personal circumstances. He had initially offered to resign on July 30, but the party requested him to reconsider. Poonawalla confirmed his final decision on Monday, stating he would move into the private sector but continue to support Prime Minister Modi's vision.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birthday was celebrated with extensive programmes in Varanasi, his Lok Sabha constituency. Events included special prayers by 76 young priests, a milk 'abhishek' of the Ganga, and a significant 'Seva Sankalp' motorcycle journey from Varanasi to Vadnagar, Modi's birthplace, involving 500 participants. Several prominent political figures, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, participated in the celebrations, offering prayers for Modi's health and India's progress.
The West Bengal Fire Department has ordered the evacuation of the basement and two floors of a high-rise building in central Kolkata, which houses TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee's office, due to a lack of fire safety measures. The order follows the expiry of the building's fire safety certificate and non-compliance with mandatory regulations, posing a threat to life and property.
RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari has announced his resignation from the party, citing a lack of space for dedicated workers and alleging humiliation. He also claimed that Tejashwi Yadav is surrounded by elements "hollowing" the party.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale stated that opposing reservation is unconstitutional and that the policy would be given up if casteism is eliminated. He highlighted the historical context of reservations for SC/ST and OBCs, and the Modi government's EWS quota. Athawale also criticised the opposition, praised government achievements, and discussed various welfare schemes and infrastructure projects in Chhattisgarh.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak met with students leading a "reservation reform" movement, assuring them that their demands would be presented to the BJP's central leadership and a Union minister. The movement, led by anti-reservation activists, seeks equal opportunities, while Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticised the "reform" as a plot against the PDA community, asserting the permanence of reservation rights.
The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress faction has announced Sanchita Pradhan (Dey) and Rabiul Alam Chowdhury as its candidates for the upcoming Nandigram and Rejinagar assembly by-elections in West Bengal. This announcement comes amidst a significant split within the TMC, with a rival faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee also vying for control of the party's name and symbol. The Election Commission is currently deliberating on the claims of both factions, a decision that will critically impact the by-polls scheduled for October 6.
Students and political parties in Odisha are protesting widespread errors in school textbooks, demanding the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond. The CJP has extended support to the Navnirman Yuva Chhatra Sangathan's 'satyagraha', while the state government has begun distributing corrected textbooks.
An Independent candidate for the Rejinagar assembly bypoll in West Bengal, Saiful Islam, was arrested in a five-year-old case related to a clash during the 2021 state elections. This follows another bypoll nominee's arrest, highlighting pre-election tensions. The AJUP chief also faces a notice, and a party secretary was arrested with illegal arms and fake currency.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has stated that the ban on the Cockroach Janata Party's social media handles is a symptom of widespread frustration among India's youth regarding employment, competitive examinations, and economic pressures, urging the government to address these concerns through policy changes.
The Congress Working Committee (CWC) is set to meet to discuss the political situation in India, focusing on strategies to pressure the government regarding student issues, alleged embezzlement at the Ram temple, and upcoming Assembly elections. The meeting will also address the women's reservation bill.
Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka assembly R Ashoka on Sunday announced that the Bharatiya Janata Party and its ally Janata Dal-Secular would lay siege to Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on August 24 seeking the removal of planning and statistics minister B Nagendra from the cabinet.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birthday was marked by a flurry of greetings from global leaders, including Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, all underscoring strengthening bilateral ties and India's increasing stature on the world stage.
The BJP has strongly objected to alleged derogatory remarks made by Congress leader Pawan Khera against Union Home Minister Amit Shah. A BJP delegation in Shimla submitted a written complaint to the police, demanding the registration of an FIR against Khera for using objectionable language, which they claim crosses the limits of political decency.
A political controversy has erupted in Navi Mumbai after thousands of SIR forms, used for voter list revision, were allegedly found at a photocopy shop. This led to a clash between Shiv Sena (UBT) and BJP activists, with allegations of voter list manipulation and questions raised about the transparency of the electoral process.
Congress leader Pawan Khera met activist Sonam Wangchuk and members of the Cockroach Janata Party protesting at Jantar Mantar against alleged NEET paper leaks. The protest demands the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, with Wangchuk on an indefinite fast. Other opposition leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Dimple Yadav, have also shown solidarity.
The BJP has announced a month-long 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' campaign, starting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday, September 17, to commemorate his 25 years in public life. The initiative includes various programmes like 'Seva Diwas', 'Ashirwad Ka Diya', 'Seva Jyoti Kalash Yatra', youth yatras, and innovation challenges, all aimed at public participation and promoting the vision of 'Viksit Bharat 2047'.
The official Instagram account of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) was temporarily taken down on Independence Day, prompting the outfit to allege an attempt to silence its voice. The account was later restored, and the CJP, known for its student-centric campaigns, vowed not to be intimidated.
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.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have lodged a formal complaint against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi at the Urwa police station in Karnataka on Sunday, following a controversy during the recitation of the national song Vande Mataram at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi on Independence Day.
Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has stated that festivals like Navratri are inclusive and there is nothing wrong with Muslim individuals attending the celebrations, despite the Vishva Hindu Parishad's call to bar Muslims from such events and BJP leader Nitesh Rane's support for the ban.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari held his first 'janata darbar' at the BJP's state office in Salt Lake, listening to public grievances and demands. The initiative aims to establish a direct connection with citizens and project a governance model similar to BJP-ruled states.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi employed Gen Z-friendly phrases like "OG" and referenced the film 'Dhurandhar' during his address at Delhi University's Shri Ram College of Commerce. This move, 13 years after a previous impactful speech at the same venue, is part of a broader strategy by the BJP to connect with younger audiences, contrasting India's past challenges with its current global standing.
Siddaramaiah, a veteran politician with roots in the Janata Parivar, has had a remarkable journey, consolidating his position in the Congress party to become the longest-serving Chief Minister of Karnataka.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has clarified his recent remarks about Rahul Gandhi's 'Chhatron ki goonj' programme and the Cockroach Janata Party's protest, stating that the media misinterpreted his comments as an attack on his party or its leadership. He insisted he was advocating for political parties to engage more with the next generation.
There is a strong opinion within the BJP in Punjab that the party must now stand on its own two feet and dump the badly compromised SAD baggage.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has dismissed claims by Uttar Pradesh minister Om Prakash Rajbhar about an impending split in the SP. Yadav asserted the party's strength and accused the BJP of engineering defections through inducements and pressure, while also noting that BJP's own legislators might be looking to switch sides.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced a significant overhaul of its national team under party president Nitin Nabin, introducing numerous new faces and promoting prominent leaders like former Union minister Smriti Irani to general secretary and former RSS functionary Ram Madhav to vice president. The revamp aims to balance youth and experience while preparing for upcoming assembly and general elections.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has dismissed speculation about a potential move to national politics, asserting his commitment to serving the state. He clarified that his visit to Delhi was to discuss Maharashtra's development projects with the central government, not for a change in his political role.
The Bharatiya Janata Party's decision to replace six-time MLA Narottam Mishra with a rookie candidate in the Datia Assembly bypoll in Madhya Pradesh led to a significant defeat, with the Congress retaining the seat. This loss is seen as a major setback for the BJP's image of discipline, with the party indicating possible disciplinary action against those who defied the central leadership's choice.
Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Friday said not a single "traitor", who crossed over to the dissident factions to "protect their backs", will be allowed to return to the party.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has indicated a potential renaming of Orchha's historic Jahangir Mahal to Veer Singh Mahal, honouring Bundela ruler Veer Singh Judeo. Yadav stated that Veer Singh originally built the palace, and the move aims to highlight overlooked historical aspects. Former minister Narottam Mishra supported the proposal, citing a "malicious attempt to erase our historical heritage" by Mughals. The palace, a blend of Bundela and Mughal architecture, was built for Jahangir but he never resided there.
Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has publicly supported students protesting against repeated exam paper leaks, emphasising the importance of meritocracy and condemning shortcuts. The ongoing protests, which have seen violent clashes, are spearheaded by the Cockroach Janata Party and Sonam Wangchuk, demanding the removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following the NEET paper leaks and subsequent student suicides.
BJP President Nitin Nabin has summoned three Delhi MPs, Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, and Yogender Chandolia, expressing strong displeasure over their controversial visit to the residence of former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar, who was convicted in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. This action comes amidst strong condemnation from other BJP leaders and highlights the ongoing political sensitivity surrounding the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
Amidst ongoing ethnic tensions, a new political alignment in Manipur sees Meitei and Naga groups uniting to demand an update to the National Register of Citizens with a 1951 base year, a move fiercely opposed by Kuki-Zo communities who fear it will disenfranchise them.
