The ruling National Conference-Congress coalition in Jammu and Kashmir received a severe drubbing in the Lok Sabha elections as the coalition could not win even a single seat of the 6 in the state.
Tensions have emerged within Jammu and Kashmir's ruling alliance between the National Conference and Congress over the full rendition of Vande Mataram at an official state event. While the NC defends it as a "statutory obligation," the Congress expresses strong disapproval, citing historical resolutions and the need to respect India's pluralistic ethos.
The Congress party has accused the Indian government of imposing new charges on UPI transactions due to pressure from the United States, specifically to benefit American card companies. The opposition party demanded the withdrawal of the decision, calling it "anti-national" and alleging it fills the coffers of US firms while burdening Indian citizens. The government, however, clarified that the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charges apply only to commercial transactions above Rs 2,000 and are not levied on consumers, a stance supported by the BJP which accused Congress of spreading "fake news".
Former West Bengal Chief Minister's faction has announced support for the Congress candidate in the Nandigram assembly bypoll, marking a significant shift in state politics. This move comes amidst an internal party dispute within the Trinamool Congress and is seen as an attempt to consolidate anti-BJP votes and strengthen the INDIA bloc, despite a history of acrimonious rivalry between the two parties.
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.
Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, Mamata Banerjee's party's candidate for the Rejinagar by-election, initially announced his withdrawal from the contest due to harassment of workers and symbol unfamiliarity, but retracted his statement within hours after intervention from the party's top leadership and Mamata Banerjee herself, confirming he will now contest the October 6 poll.
AIMIM national spokesperson Syed Asim Waqar has joined the Congress party, criticising his former party for allegedly fighting opposition parties instead of the BJP. Waqar stated that the AIMIM's actions on the ground contradict its stated goal of removing the BJP, suggesting it inadvertently aids the ruling party.
'Major unions should be included. If this goes on, decision-making will become heavily one-sided and we will be forced to continue our strikes.'
Omar Abdullah has so far laboured hard to make best of a bad bargain. Even so, the ground reality is anything but reassuring. The Opposition parties, including notably the PDP, appear to be gaining ground, though more by default. Public patience with Omar's government has nearly run out, notes Mohammad Sayeed Malik, the distinguished commentator on Kashmir affairs.
The Congress Working Committee has decided to adhere to its 1937 resolution, mandating that only the first two stanzas of 'Vande Mataram' be sung at all party events, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from the BJP, which labelled the Congress the 'new Muslim League'.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Director, Rahul Navin, has issued directives to intensify action against Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) frauds involving "large haircuts" and to address delays in police registering FIRs based on ED's requests. The agency also aims to fast-track high-profile trials under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and enhance internal coordination and efficiency.
The Congress party is set to challenge the Modi government on a range of critical issues, including alleged theft of Ram temple donations, 'systemic corrosion' of the education system, and constitutional amendment bills related to delimitation and dismissal of ministers, during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.
The Congress party has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent video message on paper leaks as an 'eyewash', demanding the sacking of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and accountability for the alleged brutality against student protestors. The party highlighted the government's initial denial of the NEET-UG 2026 leak and its perceived failure to address widespread irregularities.
'The BJP has all the instruments with them and they do have a sense of purpose, so I don't think there will be a challenge.'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'dimagi Naxal' (intellectual Naxal) remark, made during his Independence Day address, has ignited a significant political debate, with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju clarifying that the comment targets those who support Maoists and separatists, not opposition leaders, while opposition figures like P Chidambaram have embraced the label in defiance.
Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah's dismissal and arrest on August 9, 1953 marked a decisive shift in the Centre-J&K power equation. Seven decades later, the erosion of the state's special constitutional position culminated in the August 5, 2019 changes, notes Mohammad Sayeed Malik, the distinguished commentator on Kashmir affairs.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticised the government over alleged police excesses against students, demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi sack Home Minister Amit Shah. Gandhi also called for a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the "brutalities" and accused the Lok Sabha of silencing him when he tried to speak on the issue.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the BJP-RSS, labelling them a "bunch of jokers" with no understanding of India, and criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy as merely "hugging leaders." He also claimed the RSS has become an instrument of large capital, serving Adani and Ambani, and vowed that the Congress would keep pressure on the government until Modi and Shah resign. The BJP hit back, calling Gandhi immature and out of depth.
FIFA's proposal to create a $20 billion subsidiary for the World Cup highlights the intricate balance of power in global football, where the governing body's authority is often challenged by the significant commercial strength of UEFA, particularly in Europe.
Union minister J P Nadda on Wednesday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of playing politics over the NEET paper leak and urged the Opposition to allow an "intensive" discussion on the issue in Parliament to find a "permanent solution" to the problem, instead of indulging in a blame game.
Incessant overnight rainfall has triggered severe flash floods and landslides in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch and Rajouri districts, resulting in at least eight fatalities and six people missing, prompting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to cut short his Delhi visit to personally monitor the situation.
Following the Supreme Court's clean chit in the coal block allocation case, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has lauded former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's integrity and accountability, drawing a sharp contrast with the Narendra Modi government's operational style and alleged misuse of investigative agencies.
An all-party meeting convened by the government ahead of Parliament's Monsoon Session on Sunday saw the entire opposition staging a symbolic walkout over the invitation to rebel Trinamool Congress MPs and a demand for a discussion on the issues of Ram temple donation 'theft', NEET paper leak and mixing of ethanol in petrol.
For 17 years, Mani Bhavan was Gandhi's Bombay home and nerve centre of the freedom movement.
The West Bengal government has revoked the Banga Bibhushan award from Rajya Sabha MP Ananta Maharaj following his controversial remarks describing Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as a 'war criminal' and questioning the Azad Hind Fauj's role in India's freedom struggle.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has called off its 36-day agitation following the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who stepped down amidst widespread protests over irregularities in the exam system and the NEET paper leak. The government also agreed to the CJP's demands for 1 crore compensation to families of students who died by suicide and no action against protesters.
Amid a row surrounding the six martyrs of Operation Sindoor, the defence ministry on Saturday said the nation paid homage to them at the "earliest opportunity", and their memory shall always be honoured with the dignity and reverence, it deserves.
The Congress escalated its campaign against alleged examination irregularities by marching to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence, transforming the issue into a direct challenge to his political authority and demanding the resignations of top government officials.
Amid renewed speculation about political realignments and a potential merger, senior leaders from two Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) factions met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule clarified her party's position on the proposed Delimitation Bill, stating that while a uniform 50 per cent increase in seats across states would be hard to oppose, any final decision would be made after discussions within the INDIA bloc.
The Trinamool Congress has launched a sharp attack on the Narendra Modi government over rising fuel prices, economic concerns, and exam irregularities, accusing the Centre of betraying citizens.
Newly-appointed Uttar Pradesh Congress in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam on Wednesday hinted at an equal seat-sharing arrangement with the Samajwadi Party for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.
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 Congress party has announced VD Satheesan as the next chief minister of Kerala, ending days of speculation. The decision was revealed at a press conference in New Delhi.
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.
Whether Vijay has the political spine to stitch together a stable government from this patchwork of conditions, demands, and midnight drama is the question Tamil Nadu is living through right now.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk's health is rapidly deteriorating on his 17th day of hunger strike, prompting widespread appeals from prominent political figures and Bollywood celebrities for him to end his fast and for the government to address the urgent demands for NEET examination reforms.
A high drama unfolded in Hyderabad on Thursday as ministers of the Congress government arrived at the Telangana Martyrs' Memorial to engage in a public debate with the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi leaders over allegations of scams and debt accumulation that both the ruling and opposition parties have raised against each other.
Leaders from several opposition parties within the INDIA bloc convened in New Delhi, stressing the critical need for unity to safeguard democratic values and address pressing issues like people's livelihoods, despite recent internal differences and electoral setbacks.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has resigned, paving the way for a potential leadership change within the Congress party in the state. He and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar are in Delhi to discuss the formation of the new ministry with the Congress high command.
The Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the Trinamool Congress has filed fresh police complaints against dissident leader Ritabrata Banerjee and his associates. The complaints accuse the rebels of illegally using the party's name, symbol, and designations to mislead workers, marking a significant escalation in the month-long internal struggle following the assembly poll defeat.
