The Samosa Caucus, an informal group of Indian-American lawmakers, is set to expand its presence in the US House of Representatives following the recent elections. With Democrats gaining control of both the House and Senate, re-elected members like Ami Bera, Ro Khanna, Suhas Subramanyam, and Pramila Jayapal will be joined by newcomers Pia Dandiya and Amish Shah, significantly increasing Indian-American representation on Capitol Hill.
The Congress party has called for the scrapping of the Agnipath scheme, claiming it has weakened national security and led to a shortage of soldiers. This demand follows the government's recent decision to extend Agniveers' tenure by two years and offer permanent recruitment to some. The Congress also seeks retrospective benefits for regularised Agniveers and criticises the scheme's impact on soldiers' welfare, citing reported suicides and discrimination.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that Rahul Gandhi has turned creating ruckus in Parliament and resorting to boycotts into a Congress culture.
The Supreme Court has issued a contempt notice to the Keralam unit of the Congress party for a social media post targeting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The court emphasized that judicial independence is paramount and not subject to political convenience, stating that any attempt to undermine judicial authority must be dealt with firmly. The Congress unit claimed the post was unauthorized and has since been removed, with an unconditional apology issued. The court will appoint amicus curiae to determine if criminal or civil contempt applies.
Following the US midterm elections where Democrats gained control of both the House and Senate, former President Donald Trump has asserted his intention to use his 'Veto' power against what he calls 'insane' legislative proposals from Congress, signalling a period of divided government.
Madhya Pradesh Congress spokesperson Anand Jain Kasliwal has been arrested on charges of abetment and tampering with evidence in connection with deaths caused by spurious liquor in Dewas district. His son was previously arrested for supplying chemicals. The main accused allegedly used AI to make fake liquor.
CCTV footage has emerged showing Youth Congress workers allegedly assaulting YouTuber Rajan Joseph inside Adoor police station in Keralam in July. The visuals, aired on Saturday, have prompted the CPI(M) to demand action against those involved, including Congress leader Sreena Devi Kunjamma, who had filed a complaint against Joseph. Youth Congress leaders deny any assault took place.
Two Congress workers were arrested in Thiruvananthapuram for allegedly throwing beer bottles at the BJP state headquarters a month ago, following a series of political clashes in the district.
Police in Madhya Pradesh have arrested the son of a Congress leader in connection with a spurious liquor case that allegedly led to multiple deaths in Dewas district. The accused is alleged to have supplied a chemical to the kingpin, who reportedly used AI to learn how to make the illicit alcohol. The Congress leader claims his son is innocent, stating the chemical was sold as paint thinner with a proper invoice.
The Congress party faced a significant defeat in the Karnataka Legislative Council elections, losing all four seats contested. The opposition alliance of BJP and JD(S) secured all segments, with JD(S) wresting one from Congress and BJP retaining three. This outcome, while not affecting government stability, is seen as a moral victory for the opposition and a test of their coordination.
Congress workers and police clashed outside the Jaipur Police Commissionerate during a protest demanding the registration of a zero FIR regarding the alleged assault on NSUI leader Ritu Barala by Delhi Police. Jaipur Police refused, citing an ongoing investigation in Delhi, while Congress leaders insisted on the legal provision for a zero FIR and accused the BJP government of denying justice. BJP leaders, in turn, called the protest a "political drama."
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has strongly criticised the Congress party and the previous UPA government amidst the row over IDBI Bank's divestment, alleging they used banks and financial institutions as "personal entities" and pressured employees to extend loans bypassing prudent norms. She defended the current government's decision to sell a stake in IDBI Bank to Fairfax, stating it was revived through professionalism and recapitalisation.
Union Minister Rajnath Singh has accused the Congress and its allies of attempting to instigate a 'Bangladesh-like regime change' in India, leveraging youth energy for political confrontation and anarchy, rather than constructive nation-building.
The Haryana Congress has strongly criticised the BJP government's two-year tenure in the state, alleging widespread misgovernance, unfulfilled election promises, a surge in crime, and rampant corruption. Senior Congress leaders, including Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Kumari Selja, highlighted issues faced by farmers, traders, and youth, demanding accountability and a white paper on the government's performance.
With the anti-Gyanesh Kumar campaign, Rahul Gandhi is showing he is determined to not let anyone else claim credit for what follows, notes Saisuresh Sivaswamy.
Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal challenged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to bring jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi to Mumbai for interrogation following a series of attacks, including one on actor Tiger Shroff. Sapkal alleged that the Bishnoi gang operates with government blessings and questioned why Bishnoi has not been interrogated despite his alleged involvement in high-profile cases. He also criticised Fadnavis's handling of law and order and the alleged misuse of police.
Indian-Americans have achieved significant victories in state legislative races across the US midterm elections, with several individuals securing key positions and making history in various states like Michigan, Arizona, Illinois, and Texas, further solidifying their growing political influence.
A 45-year-old Congress candidate, Mohanlal, contesting the panchayat samiti elections in Rajasthan's Barmer district, allegedly died by suicide on Wednesday, a day before polling. His body was found hanging from a tree. Police are investigating the incident, and the reason for the suspected suicide is yet to be determined.
The Congress' Seva Dal organised a candle march in New Delhi, demanding justice for Ankita Bhandari, who was murdered in Uttarakhand in 2022. The protest called for an impartial investigation and accountability, especially regarding allegations against BJP's Dushyant Gautam, whose recent appointment as Sikkim Governor has drawn criticism from the Congress.
Congress leader Jinto John criticised the UDF government for opting for a preliminary inquiry instead of an FIR against LoP Pinarayi Vijayan and his family in the alleged CMRL bribery case. This comes after the Kerala High Court dismissed petitions challenging an order to register an FIR. The Enforcement Directorate alleges fraudulent payments to Vijayan's daughter's company.
The DMK has announced its exit from the INDIA bloc, citing "betrayal" by the Congress and asserting its independent political path. The party accused Congress leaders, including TNCC chief B Manickam Tagore, of making unsavoury remarks and acting as "sleeper cells," which contributed to the DMK's electoral setbacks. The DMK warned Congress leaders against further criticism and stated it would not participate in Congress-led agitations.
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.
Senior BJP leader R Ashoka has accused the Karnataka Congress government of a Rs 14.95 crore fraud in the Dr B R Ambedkar Development Corporation, following a previous alleged scam in the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation. Ashoka cited an ED press release detailing the siphoning of funds through fake accounts and forged documents, demanding accountability from the Congress leadership.
Congress MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring has criticised the Punjab government following the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa. Warring demanded Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's resignation, citing deteriorating law and order and the government's failure to curb the drug menace. He also questioned the accused's licensed weapon and announced support for a Punjab Bandh on October 15.
The Congress party has questioned the Modi government's decision to defer the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions, alleging a potential "U-turn on the U-turn." Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh highlighted previous denials by the finance minister regarding MDR imposition, only for it to be announced later and now deferred. He expressed concerns about future charges on UPI transactions.
The official Congress Keralam 'X' account posted a controversial message against CJI Surya Kant, which quickly went viral before being deleted. The party subsequently removed the individual responsible, with KPCC president Sunny Joseph stating the post was unauthorised and did not reflect the party's stance on judicial impartiality. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticised Congress over the incident.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has claimed that Rs 860-Rs 880 crore generated from an alleged liquor scam in Chhattisgarh during the previous Congress regime was delivered to the Pradesh Congress Committee office in Raipur. The agency filed a supplementary chargesheet against former PCC treasurer Ramgopal Agrawal and provisionally attached his properties worth Rs 9.06 crore. The ED alleges a liquor syndicate controlled the state excise department, generating over Rs 2,883 crore in illegal proceeds.
The Congress party in Maharashtra has accused the police of illegally entering its Mumbai headquarters, Tilak Bhawan, and arresting tribal students and NSUI members who were protesting. While the police deny these claims, stating no arrests were made from the building, the Congress has threatened to gherao the Chief Minister's residence if the detained individuals are not released, escalating a political confrontation over student protests.
The Congress party has appointed former Indian hockey captain Pargat Singh as the new president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, replacing Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. Warring resigned voluntarily amidst internal party infighting and speculation about Sachin Pilot's influence, with the change coming ahead of state assembly elections.
Former Indian hockey captain and Olympian Pargat Singh has been appointed the new president of the Punjab Congress, replacing Amrinder Singh Raja Warring. A three-time MLA from Jalandhar Cantonment, Singh's elevation comes amidst internal party wrangling and is seen as a strategic move to unite factions ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. His journey spans from a decorated sports career to a prominent political figure, having previously served as a minister and consistently winning his assembly seat.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for describing Diwali as 'khushiyon ka Eid' (Eid of happiness), accusing the Congress of appeasement politics and hurting Hindu sentiments. Congress leader Pawan Khera defended Kharge, stating that 'Eid' literally means 'festival'.
Around 20 Congress workers, including six arrested, have been booked for attempt to murder, grievous hurt, and rioting after allegedly defacing Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's residence in Agra during a protest. The Congress party claims "false" sections were invoked and plans to challenge the charges.
An Agra court granted bail to six Congress workers accused of defacing CEC Gyanesh Kumar's residence during a protest. The court dropped the "attempt to murder" charge (Section 109(2) BNS) initially invoked by police, citing lack of evidence, and expressed displeasure over the police's handling of the case.
BJP MP Janardan Mishra has caused a controversy by stating that modern farmers work for only three months and spend the rest of the year playing cards, consuming gutka, and liquor. His comments, made at a Govardhan Puja event, have drawn sharp criticism from Congress leaders who accuse him of insulting farmers and demand a public apology.
The Calcutta High Court has granted interim bail to Congress candidate Milan Pradhan, allowing him to campaign for the upcoming Nandigram bypoll. Pradhan, arrested on September 18 in connection with six criminal cases from 2007, received relief until October 20, with directions to surrender on October 21 and deposit bail bonds. The cases relate to charges including murder and Arms Act violations during the Nandigram anti-land acquisition movement.
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.
An analysis of Election Commission filings reveals that the Congress party's receipts from donations above Rs 20,000 plummeted by nearly 75 per cent to Rs 130.69 crore in 2025-26. This marks the steepest annual fall in such contributions for the party in a decade, with a significant drop attributed to reduced funding from the Prudent Electoral Trust. The report highlights a stark contrast with the BJP's donations in 2024-25.
Expelled Congress leader Kripa Alva was questioned by Cyber Crime Police regarding her alleged involvement in a sting operation targeting former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. This marks another instance of her interrogation in the ongoing probe, which also saw the recent expulsion of Alva from the Congress party and questioning of a news channel head. The case stems from two YouTube videos making serious allegations against Siddaramaiah, who subsequently sought a court injunction and filed a police complaint.
Trinamool Congress MLA Paresh Ram Das was arrested from Kolkata airport on Monday in connection with multiple cases including rape, extortion, and post-poll violence. He had been absconding and was apprehended by Baruipur Police while attempting to board a flight to Mumbai. He will be produced in court on Tuesday.
In her memoir 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', Sonia Gandhi describes the 1984 anti-Sikh riots as a 'tragic and shameful' chapter. She asserts that Rajiv Gandhi, despite being thrust into a moment of governmental failure, was inherently just and compassionate and could not have authorised the heinous acts. Gandhi also discusses the delay in army deployment and the ongoing struggle for justice for victims, noting that cases continue to drag on in courts.
