A social media post by BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi's daughter celebrating Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation as Union Education Minister, has ignited an internal controversy within the BJP.
Three months after winning power in West Bengal, the BJP is confronting a significant political challenge: how to expand and consolidate its presence without adopting the very political culture it campaigned against, particularly concerning the integration of former TMC leaders and the need to curb practices like extortion and intimidation among its own cadres.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah experienced food poisoning during his visit to Karnataka, leading to the cancellation of his scheduled events in Hubballi and Belagavi. Senior BJP leader Pralhad Joshi confirmed Shah's illness but stated he is now "perfect" after suffering weakness from vomiting.
The successful hosting of the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi has provided a significant boost to the BJP, offering a timely opportunity to strengthen its narrative against the opposition ahead of crucial assembly elections next year. BJP sources highlight the BRICS grouping's strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack and the consensus declaration as major diplomatic victories for the Modi government, countering criticisms of its foreign policy. The party plans to leverage these outcomes during its month-long Seva Sankalp campaign to connect with various sections of society.
The BJP has announced Hasirani Rath, mother of slain former aide to Suvendu Adhikari, as its candidate for the Nandigram bypoll, aiming for an emotive campaign. The party also named Sakharav Sarkar for the Rejinagar seat. These bypolls are set against a backdrop of multi-cornered contests and internal TMC disputes, with voting scheduled for October 6.
The Election Commission has announced that elections for 12 Rajya Sabha seats across Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal will take place on October 16. This includes 10 seats from Uttar Pradesh, one from Uttarakhand, and a bypoll in West Bengal, with significant implications for party representation, particularly for the BJP and BSP.
Senior BJP leader Rajendra Rathore has formally objected to the use of a song dedicated to Maharana Pratap in "Mirzapur The Movie", demanding its removal from the Central Board of Film Certification. Rathore argues that using the historical song in a scene with criminal characters disrespects Maharana Pratap and hurts public sentiments. The song's composer, Rapperiya Balam, also claims it was used without his permission and that its placement glorifies villains, insulting Rajasthan and Maharana Pratap.
The Election Commission has announced elections for 12 Rajya Sabha seats across Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal on October 16. The BJP is expected to retain eight seats in UP and gain one in West Bengal, increasing its overall strength. The Samajwadi Party is also likely to gain one seat in UP, while Mayawati's BSP faces the prospect of losing its representation in Parliament.
Three Congress candidates, including All India Congress Committee president Mallikarjun Kharge, and one Bharatiya Janata Party nominee were declared elected "unanimously" to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka on Thursday, election officials said.
Opposition parties, particularly the Congress, have strongly criticised the BJP for felicitating former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who resigned following student protests over the NEET exam controversy. They have also dismissed the government's proposed anti-paper leak legislation as a 'cosmetic Bill' and questioned the sincerity of education reforms.
Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal has hinted at a potential re-alliance with the BJP, expressing a desire for "agreements" that bring progress to Punjab from Delhi. This follows a recent meeting between SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reigniting speculation about the former allies rejoining forces after their 2020 split over farm laws.
'It is a well calculated strategy of the BJP to hit the JSP and widely propagate that leaders have been leaving PK sensing his defeat in the bypoll.'
'Nitishji as CM never supported the UCC and publicly expressed his strong reservations over UCC.'
Police in Jamui, Bihar, have arrested two main accused in the molestation of a minor girl, bringing the total arrests to five. The arrests followed an encounter where the accused were injured. The incident, captured in a viral video, has ignited a fierce political debate between the ruling NDA and opposition parties over law and order in the state.
The BJP has accused the Congress of spreading "fake news" regarding UPI transaction charges, asserting that the government has clarified that consumers will not be levied merchant discount rate (MDR) charges. This comes after the Congress criticised a government notification, alleging it paves the way for imposing fees on UPI transactions. The BJP has strongly refuted these claims, highlighting that most UPI transactions remain free and the government provides incentives to maintain a charge-free ecosystem for users.
From a milk abhishek and aarti in Patna and Vadnagar to blood donation camps in Delhi, sand art tributes in Puri and Agartala, and havan pujas in Jammu, BJP leaders and others nationwide honoured the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birthday with prayers, service drives and tributes.
An 81-year-old man, Asgarali Vohra, who claims to be a schoolmate of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has found relief in a long-standing land dispute. After Vohra met PM Modi to appeal for a CBI probe, a firm linked to a BJP MLA, Seven Eleven Construction, backed down, surrendering its construction permit and withdrawing a police complaint against Vohra. The dispute involved a prime plot in Palghar district that Vohra bought in 1989, which he alleged was encroached upon by two firms.
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.
BJP workers in Indore protested after a party leader claimed he was slapped by a traffic police officer. Disciplinary action has been taken against three police personnel.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addressed district presidents at a training camp in Nashik, urging them to uphold party ideology and fight for justice. He also demonstrated martial arts and discussed various state issues with senior leaders, while BJP leaders protested his visit.
A case has been filed against 38 individuals, including 8 named persons, for allegedly molesting a female member of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch during a protest in Ranchi on August 21. The complaint was lodged by the victim, accompanied by BJP's Babulal Marandi, at Kotwali police station, with charges including molestation and other sections of the BNS. The incident occurred during a procession against recruitment examination irregularities.
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.
Newly appointed BJP Minority Morcha national president Kunwar Basit Ali announced a strategic focus on approximately 100 Uttar Pradesh assembly seats, aiming to connect the Muslim community with the BJP by highlighting government welfare schemes and dispelling "misconceptions" about the party.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has accused the "bhaipo gang," allegedly linked to TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, of involvement in the murder of his personal assistant, Chandranath Rath. The allegations come as Rath's mother, Hasirani Rath, was nominated by the BJP for the Nandigram by-election. Adhikari claimed Rs 2 crore was spent on the murder and that the CBI investigation is progressing, with phone records and a money courier identified.
In Rajasthan's urban local body polls, 77 candidates, including 37 women, have been elected unopposed. The ruling BJP secured 44 of these victories, while the Congress won 16, and independents accounted for 17. Jaipur notably had no unopposed candidates, while Deeg recorded the highest number of uncontested winners.
Amit Malviya paid the price because he committed the cardinal mistake of himself 'becoming' the BJP's IT Cell and its social media. Malviya's removal contains a message to others -- never try to become bigger than the job that has been assigned, explains Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.
A student leader, Rahul Kranti, on a hunger strike against alleged irregularities in Jharkhand's recruitment examinations, was admitted to Ranchi Sadar Hospital after his health deteriorated. The protest, now in its 14th day, has drawn attention from political leaders, including Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi and Health Minister Irfan Ansari, who visited the hospitalised students. Protesters are demanding cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand PSC Civil Services Examination and comprehensive reforms in state recruitment bodies.
Glimpses of our leaders at work on Wednesday: From photography and policy meetings to honours for veterans and high-level consultations.
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.
Samajwadi Party leader Zeeshan Ansari has written a letter in his blood to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding that the cow be declared "Rashtra Mata" (Mother of the Nation). Ansari, a Muslim, stated his initiative aims to clarify the BJP's stance on the cow, highlighting its special place in Indian sentiments.
The spiralling agitation over the NEET issue saw protests and counter-protests by Congress and BJP across the country on Wednesday, with clashes and tense face-offs at many places, a day after Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders were forcibly removed from a dharna outside the prime minister's residence.
Satish Salian, father of the late celebrity manager Disha Salian, has served a Rs 500-crore defamation notice to Aaditya Thackeray.
Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee has accused the BJP of inciting violence in West Bengal, alleging that BJP-backed miscreants set fire to shops in Purba Medinipur's Khejuri. The BJP has denied the allegations, claiming the TMC is trying to cause unrest.
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.
A school owned by a BJP MLA in Thane advised students not to bring root vegetables in lunchboxes during the Jain Paryushan festival, sparking a controversy. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) objected, while the MLA clarified it was a request, not a mandatory order, aimed at respecting religious sentiments and promoting healthy eating.
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.
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 BJP has accused AAP leaders, including Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal, of operating a corruption syndicate in Punjab. The allegations claim that middlemen, allegedly on behalf of Mann and his wife, demanded bribes of up to Rs 5 crore to settle rape cases. The National Human Rights Commission has ordered an inquiry into a complaint regarding these allegations.
Actor and politician S Devan, formerly the BJP's state vice-president, has announced his decision to join the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. Devan cited a lack of "space" within the BJP and a desire for political change as reasons for his departure. He is expected to be offered the TVK state president post, with a formal announcement following a meeting on September 10.
The death of former West Bengal assembly deputy speaker and veteran Trinamool Congress leader Ashis Banerjee on Sunday triggered a political blame game, with the rival factions within the party and the Bharatiya Janata Party trading allegations over the circumstances surrounding the 74-year-old leader's death.
