The rejection of senior Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan's nomination papers transformed what should have been a routine Rajya Sabha election into a lesson in contemporary political warfare.
'Our leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, are in touch with all Opposition parties, including the DMK and the AAP.'
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.
Former BJP leader K Annamalai has criticised the Centre for its handling of the NEET issue, alleging a lack of accountability despite three question paper leaks and questioning the delay in engaging with student protesters.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has strongly criticised the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid and subsequent arrest of Punjab minister Sanjeev Arora, calling it a politically motivated act by the BJP-led central government. AAP leaders allege the BJP is misusing central agencies to suppress opposition voices and destabilise the AAP government in Punjab.
Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai has resigned from the party's primary membership, a move accepted by BJP chief Nitin Nabin. Annamalai's resignation follows his replacement as state president and the BJP's renewed alliance with AIADMK. He is expected to address his future plans, including the possibility of launching a new political party, during a social media interaction.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the BJP's 47th Foundation Day, highlighting the Uniform Civil Code and 'One Nation, One Election' as key unfinished agendas. He also reaffirmed the party's commitment to implementing women's reservation in the 2029 elections and criticised dynastic politics.
'BJP wanted a compromised Opposition and found a match in this faction of the Trinamool.'
Less than two months after ending the TMC's 15-year rule in the state, the BJP government is expected to table one of its most ambitious and politically sensitive promises, setting the stage for what could become the first major ideological confrontation of the post-election period.
The Congress party has accused Home Minister Amit Shah of launching an "onslaught" on the Opposition and "wrecking" Indian democracy. The party alleges that Shah is enticing elected representatives to join the BJP with significant incentives, a claim echoed by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut regarding Maharashtra MPs. This comes amidst reports of defections from other parties like the TMC.
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has intensified his demand for the RSS to register itself and disclose its financial dealings, arguing that the organisation cannot wield significant social and political influence while simultaneously claiming no political agenda and evading public accountability. Kharge's remarks follow RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's rejection of such calls, with Bhagwat asserting the organisation is neither secretive nor operating outside public scrutiny.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has accused the BJP-led central government of playing 'dangerous games' with Punjab, alleging the misuse of agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the CBI for political purposes.
The Assam Assembly has passed the Uniform Civil Code Bill, aiming to establish a common legal framework for marriage, divorce, succession, and live-in relationships, irrespective of religion. This makes Assam the third state in India to pass such a bill, following Uttarakhand and Gujarat.
BJP leader Tarun Chugh has served a legal notice to Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann for linking the BJP to recent blasts, demanding proof or resignation.
Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu has launched a strong attack on Punjab AAP chief Aman Arora, accusing him of lowering the standards of political discourse by resorting to personal attacks against his family instead of answering questions on governance.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini criticised the Aam Aadmi Party's governance in Punjab, citing issues such as drug addiction, crime, and financial instability. He promoted the BJP as an alternative, highlighting their development agenda and commitment to fulfilling promises.
The Indian government and opposition are preparing for a contentious Monsoon Session of Parliament, with key issues including the Constitution Amendment Bill on delimitation and women's reservation, the alleged NEET paper leak, and a row over Ram temple donations set to spark heated debates.
Few leaders since Independence have been able to establish such a direct connection with the electorate or shape the national conversation to the extent that Narendra Modi has done over the past decade, points out former Union minister Dr Karan Singh.
The Monsoon session of Parliament is expected to begin on July 20 and last for three weeks. Key political developments, including recent election victories and party rebellions, are set to influence the session, alongside the government's redrafting of a significant Constitution amendment bill concerning women's reservation and Lok Sabha seats.
The Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, a constituent of the Bhaatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance, has staked claim to 32 seats for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, with the aim to wrest the Samajwadi Party's stronghold of Azamgarh.
While acknowledging that they needed strong allies for a chance in the assembly polls, AIADMK cadres seemingly prefer actor-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam to the BJP, owing to the latter's 'communal agenda' and consequent hardline Hindutva image, explains N Sathiya Moorthy.
The move has sparked a political row, with the opposition accusing the BJP of promoting a vegetarian agenda.
Government sources have clarified that a passport has never been considered proof of citizenship in India, a stance consistent for the past 12 years and rooted in the Passport Act 1967. This clarification, reiterated by the Ministry of External Affairs, has drawn criticism from opposition leaders and public figures.
The monsoon session of Parliament will set the tone for how the Hindu community feels about what happened at the Ram Mandir. Whether emotions will be stirred within the voters of India lies solely at the oratory skills of the Congressis and Samajwadis, notes Zainab Sikander.
Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee has accused BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh of inconsistencies in his claims of injury during protests, urging voters to verify the truth. Banerjee also criticised the BJP's neglect of Siliguri and the CPI(M)'s alleged support for the BJP.
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.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stated that the people of the state rejected traditional parties in 2022 and will not allow their return. He criticised the BJP for alleged misuse of central agencies and the Akali Dal-BJP alliance, calling it fatal. Mann also slammed the Congress for internal rivalries and lack of vision for Punjab.
The Congress party in Haryana boycotted a special session of the state assembly, accusing the ruling BJP of using the platform for political propaganda related to a defeated Constitution amendment bill on women's reservation. The BJP criticised the Congress's move as anti-women.
K Kavitha, daughter of former Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao, has launched a new political party, Telangana Rashtra Sena (TRS), after her suspension from the BRS, marking a new chapter in Telangana politics.
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.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has accused the BJP of attempting to destabilise the state and create an atmosphere of fear ahead of upcoming elections, following twin blasts in Amritsar and Jalandhar.
The Punjab BJP has called for a sedition case against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for blaming the party for recent blasts in the state, alleging his remarks could be used by Pakistan to defend against accusations of sponsoring terrorism.
The BJP will use Samrat Choudhary to make a dent into Nitish Kumar's traditional social support base of Kurmi and Koeri/Kushwaha communities.
West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu has accused the BJP of planning detention camps for Bengali-speaking citizens in the state if they come to power, alleging a conspiracy to deport those whose names are missing from the electoral roll.
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.
The Union Cabinet applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for becoming India's longest continuously serving elected Prime Minister, surpassing Jawaharlal Nehru's record. Modi first took office in 2014, was re-elected in 2019, and began his third consecutive term in June 2024.
The Himachal Pradesh Assembly witnessed a heated debate over the rising drug problem, with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu accusing the BJP of politicising the issue. The opposition alleges police involvement in drug trafficking.
The BJP will focus on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development agenda in the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections, rather than projecting a chief ministerial candidate, according to state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the BJP after the central government failed to pass a Constitution amendment bill for women's quota in legislatures, accusing the BJP of using the bill as a political ploy to divide the country and Bengal.
The Dhurandhar movies will undoubtedly shape the minds of the audience much more than news reports, court investigations, books and documentaries. But it is worth remembering that Pakistan's irridentist claims against India's national security have succeeded due to strategic planning, diplomacy, and the unsung heroines and heroes across government agencies, not due to a single maverick leader, points out Shweta Desai.But it is worth to remember that Pakistan's irredentist claims against India's national security have succeeded due to strategic planning, diplomacy, and the unsung heroines and heroes across government agencies -- not a single maverick, points out Shweta Desai.
