Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has alleged "great damage" to India's fabric, democracy, and institutions over the last 12 years, expressing optimism for a return to proper governance. In an interview, she also discussed the resilience of the Congress party against challenges and provided insights into her upcoming memoir, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', which covers her personal life and political journey.
Sixty Madhya Pradesh Youth Congress leaders have been suspended for failing to attend a Rahul Gandhi rally in New Delhi on November 1. The decision has caused significant discontent within the state unit, with affected leaders claiming personal emergencies prevented their attendance and alleging the action was unilateral and undemocratic, providing ammunition for the BJP.
A farmer and four associates were allegedly abducted and threatened in Latur, Maharashtra, amidst intense rivalry for the upcoming District Central Co-operative Bank (DCCB) elections. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, led to a police complaint and protests by Congress workers, resulting in an FIR against two individuals for kidnapping and criminal intimidation.
The Calcutta High Court's division bench set aside a single-bench order that had granted interim protection to Congress' Nandigram bypoll candidate Milan Pradhan from coercive action in a 2007 criminal case. The court ruled that there is no provision in criminal law for such interim protection, meaning Pradhan's judicial remand will remain effective ahead of the bypoll.
Jenny, a resident of Assam, has reignited a nearly 23-year-old controversy by reiterating rape allegations against former Uttarakhand minister Harak Singh Rawat, demanding a fresh CBI investigation and a DNA test for her son. Rawat has denied the claims, citing a previous CBI clean chit, and threatened defamation suits against those making or supporting the allegations, including Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The case has stirred political circles ahead of upcoming assembly polls.
Amid swirling rumours of a potential merger between the two Nationalist Congress Party factions, senior leaders are clarifying recent meetings, primarily citing health visits, while political observers debate the future of Maharashtra's political landscape.
A 36-year-old lawyer, Anuj Kumar Chaturvedi, was allegedly shot dead by Congress district general secretary Amol Dixit in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, on Diwali night. The incident stemmed from a dispute over political rivalry, with Dixit reportedly slapping Chaturvedi's cousin, leading to a confrontation. Dixit is currently absconding, and police have registered a case and formed multiple teams for his arrest.
The Chhattisgarh Economic Offence Wing/Anti-Corruption Bureau (EOW/ACB) has filed its sixth supplementary charge sheet in the alleged coal levy scam, naming 12 individuals including Congress MLA Devendra Singh Yadav, former state Congress treasurer Ramgopal Agrawal, and IAS officer Jai Prakash Maurya. The scam involves an alleged illegal levy of Rs 25 per tonne collected from coal transporters by a syndicate of bureaucrats, businessmen, and politicians, with handwritten diaries indicating collections of around Rs 540 crore.
Congress's Nandigram bypoll candidate Milan Pradhan has been remanded to judicial custody in connection with old criminal cases, including murder charges from 2007. This development effectively prevents him from campaigning for the upcoming by-election. The Congress party has questioned the timing of the arrest, alleging political motives behind the revival of these long-pending cases.
'In Uttar Pradesh, the Congress is a minor player. The Samajwadi Party is the number two party.' 'Every time there are some good tidings for the Congress, it oversells itself. They need to be prudent about the number of seats they claim and be able to convert them to victory.'
Congress candidate Milan Pradhan for the Nandigram assembly bypoll was arrested for alleged involvement in the 2007 anti-land acquisition movement. Another party leader, Subhasish Bhattacharya, was also arrested. The Congress alleges political vendetta by the BJP, especially as Pradhan had successfully filed his nomination. The party has questioned the timing and legality of the arrest, particularly during the model code of conduct, and plans demonstrations.
Chitta, Siddhu Moosewala and allegations that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann reeked of alcohol in Parliament, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched an all-out attack against Punjab's ruling Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday as he kicked off his party's election campaign.
Rahul Jaiswal, detained in connection with a police officer's death during an illicit liquor crackdown in Madhya Pradesh, has reportedly admitted to Congress party association and managing a liquor shop. The incident involved SHO Dilip Puri being run over by a truck smuggling illicit liquor. Police have detained two others, Keram Singh Changod and Vijay Rao. The case has sparked a political war of words between Congress and BJP, with BJP alleging Congress involvement in the illegal trade.
Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi's memoir, "Belonging: A Journey of Love," reveals her limited interactions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting his tendency to avoid eye contact. She discusses their differing visions for India, rooted in their ideological backgrounds, and critiques his political style and the BJP's aim for a "Congress-free India."
Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a strong counterattack against the INDIA bloc's 'vote chori' allegations, challenging Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to a special Parliament session debate on EVMs and infiltrators. Shah dismissed the INDIA bloc's rally as a "save infiltrator" event, questioning Congress's wins if EVMs are faulty and asserting the BJP's commitment to removing all infiltrators from electoral rolls.
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, in her upcoming memoir "Belonging: A Journey of Love," states that her mother-in-law, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, considered the decision to impose the Emergency a mistake and eventually came to feel the same. Gandhi also suggests that keeping Sanjay Gandhi "in check" could have prevented much of the subsequent damage. She reveals family divisions over the decision, with Rajiv Gandhi opposing it and Sanjay Gandhi pushing for it. Sonia Gandhi further notes that Indira Gandhi later publicly expressed regret for the excesses during that period.
Sonia Gandhi's new book reveals her deep internal conflict and reluctance to enter politics after Rajiv Gandhi's assassination. Despite her children's fierce opposition, she found guidance in the Bhagavad Gita, which helped her overcome her doubts and embrace her duty towards the Congress party amidst its challenging times in the late 1990s.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to disclose details of his foreign trips to the public, saying they have a right to know since he was the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha.
The BJP claimed a rift within the Congress party, claiming Rahul Gandhi is actively sidelining his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at INDIA bloc protests.
A three-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted in a dilapidated building in Mapusa, North Goa, leaving her in critical condition. Police are investigating the incident, examining CCTV footage, and searching for the unidentified accused. The incident has sparked outrage, with Goa's Tribal Welfare Minister claiming "90 per cent" of such crimes are committed by "outsiders," while the Opposition Congress has demanded a time-bound investigation and stronger measures to protect children, citing alarming NCRB data for Goa.
The Congress party has strongly refuted claims by Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance Chairperson Bhartruhari Mahtab that opposition MPs supported levying a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions. Congress MP Manish Tewari termed Mahtab's remarks "erroneous and fallacious," clarifying that the committee's recommendation was to "explore" revenue models, not to implement MDR. The party accused Mahtab of misleading due to his recent switch to the BJP.
Sonia Gandhi, in her memoir "Belonging: A Journey Of Love", reveals that Indira Gandhi cried upon seeing the harrowing visuals of the aftermath of Operation Blue Star in 1984. She describes Indira's tears as those of pain, regret, and sorrow over the siege's end and the lives lost. The memoir details the rise of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the separatist movement, alleged Pakistani involvement, and the difficult decision Indira Gandhi faced to order the military operation to prevent the declaration of Khalistan.
Mamata Banerjee's faction of the Trinamool Congress announced support for the Congress candidate in the Nandigram assembly bypoll after its own candidate withdrew. This decision comes amidst a bitter dispute with the Election Commission over the freezing of TMC's traditional symbol and name, which Banerjee termed "arbitrary" and accused the BJP of trying to destroy opposition parties.
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 Congress party has criticised the government's recent notification regarding UPI transactions, alleging it paves the way for users to be charged fees, particularly for transactions above Rs 2,000. The party claims the government lacks transparency and questions if the move is to benefit American firms. The government, however, states that charges are necessary for the system's sustainability and infrastructure upgrades, with the Finance Minister clarifying that Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) applies to merchants, not customers.
Sonia Gandhi has broken her silence on the censorship controversy surrounding her memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love.
Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi shared an Instagram video reminiscing about her family's Diwali celebrations at 1, Safdarjung Road, the former residence of Indira Gandhi. She recalled traditions like decorating the Ganesh statue, lighting diyas, enjoying firecrackers, and having Kashmiri food, alongside Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and granddaughter Miraya Vadra.
The Congress party has demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging "vote chori" and treason, following a media report revealing that two other Election Commissioners had formally objected to decisions regarding the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have accused the BJP, RSS, and EC of undermining democracy, citing concerns over voter list tampering and lack of transparency.
Indian-American Democratic lawmakers Ami Bera, Ro Khanna, Suhas Subramanyam, and Pramila Jayapal have been re-elected to the US House of Representatives, with Pia Dandiya making her debut, marking a strong showing by the community in the recent midterm elections where Democrats gained control of both the House and Senate.
A local Congress leader, Vinod Danosi, and others have been booked for allegedly assaulting a Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) and holding another official hostage in Pauri Garhwal. The incident occurred during a protest by angry residents and Congress members following a leopard attack that killed a four-year-old girl. Separately, a 14-year-old boy also died in a leopard attack in Champawat district.
Sonia Gandhi's new memoir, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', is now available on the quick-commerce platform Blinkit for Rs 849, showcasing the platform's expansion beyond groceries into books. This move highlights the speed advantage of quick-commerce over traditional online retailers like Amazon, with Blinkit offering rapid delivery in select areas. The memoir, published by HarperCollins India, details Gandhi's life from Italy to her political career in India.
Several Indian-Americans have achieved significant victories in the US midterm elections, with five securing seats in the House of Representatives and Maryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller winning re-election. The article profiles these successful candidates, highlighting their backgrounds and contributions to American politics.
The BJP staged a protest march in Delhi, demanding an apology from the Congress and Rahul Gandhi for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The party accused the Congress of deliberately holding the INDIA bloc rally on November 1, the anniversary of the riots, thereby insulting the Sikh community's sentiments. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri described the 1984 violence as a "well-planned massacre" and a "genocide."
Indian-American physician Amish Shah has made history by becoming the first from the community to represent Arizona in the US Congress. Shah, a Democrat, defeated Republican Jay Feely in Arizona's First Congressional District, flipping a Republican-held seat. A three-term member of the Arizona House of Representatives, Shah campaigned on issues like lowering costs, expanding healthcare, and solving the water crisis, and his victory is part of a broader trend of Indian-American candidates succeeding in US elections.
Disquiet is growing within the Manipur BJP regarding its handling of the controversy surrounding Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam. Public attacks on Akoijam, following his dismissal from JNU over sexual harassment complaints, have reportedly backfired, leading to a surge in his popularity, especially among Meitei youth in Imphal Valley. Senior BJP leaders privately acknowledge this miscalculation, while some within the party express concern over Akoijam's rising influence. The Congress MP has denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated, and his strong electoral performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls further highlights his political sway.
Indian benchmark indices, the Sensex and Nifty, witnessed a significant rally, with the Sensex jumping 2,009 points and the Nifty surging 576 points. This surge is attributed to a sharp decline in crude oil prices, hopes for a resolution to the West Asia conflict, and the Democratic Party gaining control of the US Congress in the midterm elections.
BJP chief Nitin Nabin criticised the Congress and the INDIA bloc's Delhi rally, accusing them of targeting constitutional institutions due to electoral frustration. He highlighted the irony of the protest coinciding with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots anniversary, urging Congress to apologise instead. Nabin also challenged Congress to establish internal democracy.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, speaking at the INDIA bloc's Ramlila Maidan rally, accused the BJP of forming governments on "stolen" mandates and alleged that Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were shielding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He called for PM Modi's removal to protect democracy.
A group of US lawmakers, led by Grace Meng, has reintroduced the Diwali Day Act in the House of Representatives to recognise Diwali as a federal holiday. The bill aims to acknowledge the cultural significance of Diwali for Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, and various South Asian communities, especially amidst rising anti-Hindu and anti-South Asian hate. If passed, Diwali would become the 12th federally recognised holiday in the United States.
Democrats are projected to gain control of both the US House of Representatives and the Senate in the 2026 midterm elections, marking a significant shift in the balance of power and delivering major victories in traditionally Republican states like Texas, Kansas, and Iowa.
