'If Gyanesh Kumar had some shame he would have resigned and would have taken agni pariksha.'
The Akali Dal Waris Punjab De has announced Satwant Singh, son of Kehar Singh (convicted in Indira Gandhi's assassination conspiracy), as its candidate for the Bassi Pathana constituency in the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. This move highlights the party's 'Panthic' principles and focus on families who sacrificed for the Sikh Panth.
Rahul Gandhi dramatically shifted the INDIA bloc's protest after their march to the Election Commission was stopped and leaders were detained. He entered Akashvani Bhavan, leading to a standoff and a continued sit-in joined by other opposition leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, to protest against alleged threats to democracy.
Indian states' capital expenditure (capex) utilisation for April-August FY27 fell to 21.21 per cent, slightly below the 21.73 per cent recorded in the same period of FY26, according to a CAG analysis. Despite the dip, this figure remains the third highest in the past six years, with significant variations observed across states.
Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati has reappointed her nephew Akash Anand as the party's national convenor, reversing an earlier decision to remove him. This move comes after Anand's expression of desire to return and considering party members' views, with Mayawati emphasizing the decision was made in the interest of the party and the movement.
Opposition parties in India are demanding the impeachment and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, alleging he is running the poll panel as a 'one-man autocracy' following revelations that two Election Commissioners red-flagged issues related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) led a large protest in Mumbai, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke announced a further protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on October 10 if Kumar does not step down, citing alleged voter deletions and irregularities in recent elections. The protest, which saw participation from various activists and public figures, also called for freezing voter lists and abolishing the 2023 law on Election Commissioner appointments.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) next week that seeks the suspension of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and challenges the alleged unilateral decision-making within the Election Commission without the approval of two other Election Commissioners.
The Election Commission of India has introduced a mandatory declaration for new voters, requiring them to provide parental details from the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. This move, aimed at streamlining voter mapping, has sparked controversy, with some Election Commissioners deeming it "illegal" and "unauthorised" due to potential negative impacts on young voters.
The Calcutta High Court criticised the Election Commission for reassigning the 'envelope' symbol to the Democratic Trinamool Congress, previously used by the ISF, for the Nandigram by-election. Justice Krishna Rao questioned the EC's fairness, especially when 183 free symbols were available, and adjourned the hearing until Friday.
Anand's re-election as Deputy President means Bharat Singh Chauhan's bid for vice president is ineligible due to FIDE rules against multiple representatives from the same federation on the council.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is facing significant scrutiny after an investigation revealed objections from his fellow election commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, regarding decisions made during the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists. The objections, reportedly made at least 14 times, concerned issues like changes to voter registration forms and centralised control over electoral roll databases, intensifying criticism of Kumar's tenure and the EC's impartiality.
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has filed a plea in the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission's interim decision to freeze the Trinamool Congress' name and party symbol. The EC had allotted separate names and symbols to two rival TMC factions ahead of upcoming bypolls, a move Banerjee has strongly criticised as a "black day" for democracy.
BJP president Nitin Nabin has announced new in-charges for party affairs in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Gujarat, with Vinod Tawde, Satish Poonia, and Tarun Chugh taking on key roles respectively. These appointments are effective immediately.
Kunwar Basit Ali, national president of BJP Minority Morcha, stated that the demolition of religious structures for development should not be viewed communally, citing examples from Uttar Pradesh and Muslim nations. He accused the Congress of misleading Muslims and instigating unrest. Ali also expressed confidence in the BJP forming the next government in Jammu and Kashmir and addressed concerns regarding the delay in statehood restoration, asserting that the central government would make the best decisions for Kashmir.
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.
Abhijeet Dipke has issued a strong call to Indian opposition parties, urging them to boycott elections if they genuinely believe the electoral process is rigged, arguing that their continued participation only legitimises alleged unfairness.
Former civil servants and rights activists have issued a "people's impeachment" notice demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. They allege six charges against him, including undermining the Election Commission's functioning, mass disenfranchisement through Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and compromising political impartiality. The group, including G K Pillai and Najeeb Jung, was prevented from submitting the notice at the EC office.
The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has announced fresh elections for November 27, concluding a prolonged legal dispute over its governance. This decision follows an interim administrative arrangement and constitutional amendments in line with new sports governance legislation. Rajeev Sharma has been appointed Election Commissioner, and a task force will address AITA Trust issues.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has extended an invitation to Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee to rejoin the Congress with her remaining legislators, offering her leadership in West Bengal amidst the TMC's significant internal turmoil and post-election challenges.
Nearly 200 protesters, including prominent activists, were detained at Jantar Mantar during demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Delhi Police registered cases under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for disobedience and obstruction, following prohibitory orders in the New Delhi district. The protests stem from alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions, prompting significant police deployment and ongoing legal actions.
The Election Commission has allotted the 'Football Player' symbol to the Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the Trinamool Congress for the upcoming West Bengal bypolls, while the rival Arup Roy-led group will contest with the 'Envelope' symbol.
The Delhi police detained more than 500 protesters, including Aam Aadmi Party leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjeev Jha, Atishi and Sanjay Singh, as well as activists of some student outfits, during a protest against the CEC at Jantar Mantar on Friday.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan has strongly condemned alleged communal remarks made by CPI(M) leader P Nandakumar regarding Malappuram district, linking them to past statements by former CM Pinarayi Vijayan. Satheesan demanded an apology from the CPI(M) and clarification from its leadership, warning of strict action against communal hatred. CPI(M) leaders, including Nandakumar, have denied the allegations, stating their criticism was aimed at communal influences on political parties, not the district itself.
Delhi Police has denied permission for a protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, leading to the closure of 11 metro stations and heightened security. Various political parties and student unions are demanding Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
The Supreme Court resumed hearing pleas challenging the Maharashtra Speaker's decision regarding the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena MLAs and the Election Commission's recognition of the Shinde faction as the "real" Shiv Sena. Senior advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul, representing the Shinde camp, argued that the EC has jurisdiction under Article 324 to examine a party's democratic character and organisational structure, especially when the Thackeray faction's constitution was not registered with the poll panel. He emphasised that the Shinde faction's case is based on a split within the political party, not just its legislative wing, citing cadre discontent. The hearing remains inconclusive.
The Delhi poll body has issued notices to several prominent voters, including Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, for discrepancies in their enumeration forms during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. While Gupta's entry has been validated, millions of other voters, including other political figures, have received notices for issues like age-related mismatches or being unmapped with previous SIR records, requiring them to submit documents by October 29.
Former Enforcement Directorate deputy director Niranjan Singh resigned from the Akali Dal Waris Punjab De just five days after joining, citing "non-negotiable" differences. Singh, who had joined to tackle drug menace and corruption, did not specify the issues but emphasised adherence to the Constitution. The party is led by the incarcerated Amritpal Singh.
The Election Commission has removed an additional declaration related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) from the online voter enrolment Form 6 in states where the SIR process is complete. This decision follows internal objections from Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi regarding changes to the form and the process. The EC maintains the declaration was SIR-specific and not an amendment to Form 6 itself.
The RSS-affiliated ABVP won three out of four central panel posts in the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) election, including president, secretary, and joint secretary. Independent candidate Deepanshu Shokeen, who was denied an NSUI ticket, secured the vice-president's post by a significant margin, while the Congress-affiliated NSUI failed to win any central panel position.
The Election Commission has informed the Supreme Court that over 37 lakh appeals concerning deletions or inclusions in West Bengal's electoral rolls remain pending under the Special Intensive Revision. The apex court-appointed tribunals have disposed of only a fraction of the 38.20 lakh appeals filed, prompting the Supreme Court to seek data and a plan for streamlining the adjudication process.
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.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced a significant reshuffle of its state in-charges and co-in-charges across all 28 states and eight Union territories, with prominent leaders like Smriti Irani and Ram Madhav assigned to crucial states, as the party gears up for upcoming assembly elections.
AAP workers in Mohali protested against Enforcement Directorate search operations at the GMADA office, alleging misuse of central agencies by the BJP-led Centre. The protests involved clashes with police and damage to property, while the ED's investigation targeted GMADA officials, an IAS officer, a realty company, and residences linked to political figures.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has accused DMK president M.K. Stalin of 'body-shaming' their Dharapuram bypoll candidate P. Satyabama during a campaign rally, petitioning the Election Commission to revoke his star campaigner status and impose a temporary ban.
Three BJP allies, including LJP (Ram Vilas), TDP, and RLM, have called on the Election Commission for a clearer explanation regarding concerns raised by two Election Commissioners over the voter list revision process. Union Minister Chirag Paswan warned that public faith in elections was at stake, while the EC asserted that differing views among its members were normal and final decisions were unanimous.
The Trinamool Congress has submitted new names and symbols to the Election Commission for the upcoming West Bengal bypolls, following an interim order that temporarily barred the party from using its original name and "flowers and grass" symbol due to an ongoing internal dispute and split. The party submitted its choices under protest.
The Congress party has launched nationwide protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, demanding his removal. Accusing him of acting in favour of the BJP and citing alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions (SIR), party workers burned effigies and clashed with police. Opposition parties plan further action, including a meeting of the INDIA bloc to strategize for his ouster.
The Supreme Court has questioned the Election Commission's decision to allot the Shiv Sena's bow-and-arrow symbol to the Eknath Shinde faction, asking if the possibility of denying the symbol to both factions was adequately considered. The court also raised concerns about using legislative majority as a test while disqualification proceedings against MLAs were pending. The Shinde faction argued for the validity of the legislative majority test, citing significant vote share and legal precedents.
Easing Gyanesh Kumar out would create a hazardous political precedent because forcing out a top official, due to public pressure, projects an image of reactive, defensive governing. Furthermore, making a high-level official like the CEC to hand in his papers would validate Opposition claims that Constitutional referees have been compromised, observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.
