Voting has commenced for the Assembly elections in Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry, with millions of voters deciding the fate of numerous candidates across various constituencies. The elections are crucial for determining the future governance and political landscape of these regions.
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key ally of the Congress in Kerala, has criticised the public discussions and arguments regarding who should be the chief ministerial candidate of the United Democratic Front (UDF). IUML leader P M A Salam stated that such debates could lead to discontent among party workers and the general public.
Senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan said the party high command was likely to take a final decision on Kerala's next CM within 24 hours as lobbying intensifies among the three top contenders for the chief minister's post.
Veteran Congress leader P J Kurien stated that the party has several qualified candidates for the Kerala CM post if the UDF wins the upcoming Assembly elections, but only three names are currently under consideration.
Political parties in Kerala are increasingly using AI-generated content to influence voters in the upcoming elections, raising concerns about the blurring lines between reality and fiction in political messaging.
Former Kerala DGP R Sreelekha has been named as an accused in a case related to a BJP protest alleging assault on party workers in Vattiyoorkavu. The case stems from a protest led by BJP councillors outside the Vattiyoorkavu police station, where Sreelekha was seen chanting a derogatory slogan against the police.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge made a controversial statement during an assembly poll campaign speech in Kerala, referring to the people of Gujarat as 'illiterate' and claiming they are being 'fooled' by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Election Commission of India has issued directives to political parties and candidates in Kerala, restricting the publication of print advertisements on the eve and day of the Assembly elections without prior certification.
'They will have to adjust themselves to the new reality. Because if they don't understand this changed political perception, their future will be difficult.'
Former CPI(M) leader G Sudhakaran, now an independent MLA backed by the UDF, has stated he would accept a ministerial position if offered, despite not seeking one. He highlighted his past experience as a minister and his willingness to serve if chosen, while also noting that he has not been contacted regarding any potential cabinet discussions.
The Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has completed one year, leading to the deletion of nearly six crore voters across 19 states and Union territories. This exercise, which began in Bihar, has faced opposition criticism but was upheld by the Supreme Court. The purification drive has significant implications, including linking voter data to social security benefits in some states.
Intense lobbying is underway in Kerala as V D Satheesan, K C Venugopal, and Ramesh Chennithala vie for the chief minister's post, with their camps citing popularity, MLA support, and experience as key factors for the Congress high command's decision.
The Kerala government has filed a statement in the High Court opposing former minister Antony Raju's plea to suspend his conviction in an evidence-tampering case, arguing it would undermine the electoral process.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi has accused the ruling LDF in Kerala and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of being Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "B-team" and of secretly joining hands with the BJP, alleging a compromised leadership and lack of accountability.
The BJP has defended its leader Shone George's criticism of a Malayalam newspaper, Deepika, alleging it was favouring the UDF ahead of Kerala's Assembly elections. The party claims it respects all religions and aims for equal treatment.
Chandy Oommen, son of the late Oommen Chandy, protested against the LDF government while casting his vote in the Puthuppally Assembly election, citing harassment of his father and inadequate constituency funding.
Kerala's General Education Minister V Sivankutty has criticised former DGPs R Sreelekha and T P Senkumar for their alleged adverse remarks against the police, questioning the timing and appropriateness of their statements.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has accused the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi of acting as the 'B-team' of the BJP, alleging appeasement politics and seeking support from communal groups.
Rahul Gandhi intensified the Congress campaign in Kerala, alleging collusion between the LDF and BJP, citing corruption cases and the drug issue in the state. He also criticised the LDF government's handling of the Sabarimala gold loss and unemployment.
The Congress-led UDF secured a decisive victory in Kerala's local body elections, dealing a blow to the LDF, while the BJP gained significant ground, including winning control of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.
V D Satheesan was sworn in as Kerala's Chief Minister, with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administering the oath of office. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by prominent political figures, including Congress leaders and Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states.
Senior Congress leader Arun Yadav has criticised the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh, alleging neglect of farmers and the enabling of mafia activities.
Initial vote counting in the Kerala Assembly elections indicates a significant lead for the Congress-led UDF, suggesting a potential shift in power.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has accused the Congress party and its leader Rahul Gandhi of acting as the 'B-team' of the BJP, criticising their stance on various issues and alleging a tacit alliance between the two parties.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi intensified the UDF's campaign for the Kerala polls, accusing the CPI(M) of stealing gold from the Sabarimala temple and questioning PM Modi's silence on the issue. He also addressed concerns about rubber prices and the FCRA amendments.
Kerala's 2026 assembly election will see a three-cornered contest where religion and communalism have emerged as central themes for the first time, challenging the state's long-celebrated secular fabric.
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.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has responded to Rahul Gandhi's criticism regarding the Sabarimala gold loss case, questioning Gandhi's connections to the accused and accusing him of political opportunism.
23 political parties of the INDIA bloc will meet on Monday to redraw their strategy to take on the BJP and iron out differences amid changed power dynamics after the defeat of regional anchors TMC and DMK in the recent assembly polls.
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor met with party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi amid reports of discontent, stating that he is on the 'same page' with the leadership.
The Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), a key ally in the United Democratic Front (UDF) coalition, has voiced its discontent with the Congress party over the prolonged delay in selecting a Chief Minister for Kerala, describing the situation as a 'political uncertainty' that is 'unfortunate'.
Kerala's Chief Minister-designate V D Satheesan visited senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, emphasising their close relationship and seeking blessings for his new role.
The Congress party in Kerala has strongly criticised the state government's Public Relations Department (PRD) for publishing advertisements in major newspapers that highlight alleged shortcomings of the previous Oommen Chandy administration, accusing the government of misusing public funds for political gain ahead of upcoming elections.
Following the UDF's victory in local body polls, KPCC Chief Sunny Joseph suggests Kerala Congress (M) consider rejoining the UDF. He also discusses expanding the UDF base and potentially including Trinamool Congress leader P V Anvar.
BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar dismisses Rahul Gandhi's charge of a BJP-CPI(M) understanding in Kerala as baseless, asserting the NDA is competitive and criticising Congress's performance.
Top leaders of opposition parties including Congress' Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, TMC's Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav of Rashtriya Janata Dal and Uddhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, besides Left leaders and those from smaller parties, are likely to attend the meeting at the Constitution Club in the national capital.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him and his party of acting as the BJP's 'B-team'. Vijayan's remarks follow Rahul Gandhi's claims of collusion between the LDF and BJP due to alleged inaction in corruption cases against Vijayan.
Kerala's Leader of Opposition, V.D. Satheesan, has criticised Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPI(M) leaders for their language and government spending on advertising.
According to pollster Pradeep Gupta, years of TMC "misrule" that created a "climate of fear", Prime Minister Narendra Modi's charisma and the organisational abilities of Amit Shah and the RSS brought the BJP to power in West Bengal.
AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal has released an open letter to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, alleging secret deals with BJP leaders and the central government, raising questions about the LDF government's functioning ahead of the Assembly elections.
