Rahul Gandhi dramatically shifted the INDIA bloc's protest after their march to the Election Commission was stopped and leaders were detained. He entered Akashvani Bhavan, leading to a standoff and a continued sit-in joined by other opposition leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, to protest against alleged threats to democracy.
The INDIA bloc has formulated a joint action plan to address the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) row and concerns over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Following a meeting of key opposition leaders, the alliance announced a series of "save democracy" marches, demonstrations, and a march to the Election Commission, demanding a return to ballot papers for elections and alleging electoral malpractices by the ruling government.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut stated on Friday that he is prepared to apologise to the Supreme Court if his remarks were deemed inappropriate, emphasising his party's respect for the judiciary. His comments followed observations by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant regarding attempts to browbeat the judiciary. Raut also linked his apology to demands for justice concerning alleged electoral roll irregularities and the delayed hearing on the Shiv Sena name and symbol dispute.
Militants ambushed 14 Meitei men in Manipur on Monday, killing three and injuring three others. The attack, which occurred in the Sunurok hills, sparked widespread protests in Imphal, with locals placing bodies outside the Chief Minister's residence. Police used tear gas to disperse protesters. Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh condemned the killings and held security review meetings, while the opposition Congress demanded his resignation, citing the state's ongoing ethnic violence since May 2023. Security forces have launched a combing operation with drones and sniffer dogs.
The Congress party staged nationwide protests, demanding the immediate arrest and removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The party accused the Election Commission of an "unprecedented attack" on voter equality through an alleged 'Mark VIP' feature and called for an independent review of decisions made under Kumar, citing objections from other commissioners regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Supreme Court-appointed High Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC) will hold a sitting on October 29 to hear affected persons and record evidence regarding alleged violence, including pellet gun use and harassment of female protesters, during the July Jantar Mantar protests. The five-member panel, chaired by Justice R Subhash Reddy, was formed after petitions alleged police excesses and counter-allegations of violence against police. An online portal is also available for submissions.
AICC general secretary KC Venugopal has urged Congress leaders to exercise caution and avoid making statements that could 'please the BJP', in response to remarks attributed to Shashi Tharoor regarding Rahul Gandhi's student outreach programme.
The Chhattisgarh Economic Offence Wing/Anti-Corruption Bureau (EOW/ACB) has filed its 10th supplementary charge sheet in the alleged liquor scam, accusing 20 individuals, including former state Congress treasurer Ramgopal Agrawal, and 22 firms. The 27,000-page document details illegal liquor production, hawala transactions, and investment of illicit proceeds. The scam, estimated by the ED to be between 2019 and 2022, involved a complex network of illegal liquor sales, duplicate holograms, and routing of funds.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is continuing its protests against alleged electoral roll irregularities, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Despite detentions and police restrictions on Saturday, the CJP announced another demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Sunday. The party condemned the detention of its leaders and other protesters, alleging an "undeclared Emergency" and questioning the whereabouts of its founder and co-convenors. Opposition parties and civil society groups have expressed solidarity, vowing to continue the campaign for electoral transparency.
The Election Commission replaced the inspector-in-charge of Nandigram police station, Ajay Kumar Mishra, with Debashis Sarkar a day before the bypoll, following complaints from opposition parties alleging Mishra's closeness to the ruling party. This move comes amidst heightened political scrutiny and concerns raised by opposition leaders regarding the fairness of the election process in Nandigram, a constituency with significant political history in West Bengal.
Rahul Gandhi led a significant opposition protest in New Delhi, attempting to march to the Election Commission office to allege "vote chori" and demand the CEC's resignation. The protest resulted in a lockdown of Parliament Street, a standoff at the All India Radio premises, and detentions of several opposition MPs, drawing strong reactions from the ruling BJP.
The owner of a medical store, Ashwani Kumar, accused of fatally shooting anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Punjab's Mansa, has been arrested from Rajasthan. Following his arrest, angry mobs set his medical store ablaze and authorities razed a portion of his house, while Jhota's father has called for a statewide bandh on October 15.
Delhi Police has registered an FIR against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with their supporters, for allegedly forcibly entering Akashvani Bhawan during an opposition march against the Chief Election Commissioner on October 6. The incident occurred after an INDIA bloc protest towards the Election Commission office was halted, leading to detentions.
Opposition MPs from the INDIA bloc, including prominent leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, marched to the Supreme Court to file a petition against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging 'vote chori' and irregularities in electoral rolls.
The BJP in Keralam has demanded a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) during the previous LDF regime. Senior BJP leader P K Krishnadas accused the current UDF government of attempting to sabotage corruption cases and expressed a lack of faith in state-level investigations. The demand follows an expert panel report highlighting financial irregularities in KIIFB.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of acting as a 'weapon' for the ruling BJP, while MNS leader Raj Thackeray demanded the cancellation of Maharashtra's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, amidst a large protest march in Mumbai.
The Delhi Police informed the High Court that Jantar Mantar was denotified as a protest site based on Supreme Court directions, a revelation made during a hearing on a plea by the Indian Youth Congress seeking protest permission. The court issued notice on the IYC's request for reconsideration and broader issues concerning protest regulation, while new sites have been designated.
BJP president Nitin Nabin praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 25-year journey as a leader, asserting that Modi is India's first prime minister to be directly chosen by the people through a public mandate, unlike previous PMs like Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi who were initially selected by their party. Nabin highlighted Modi's rise based on organisational experience and public support, not political dynasty.
The Congress party has accused the Modi government of succumbing to US pressure by introducing a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions over Rs 2,000 for merchants. The party alleges this move aims to benefit US card companies and links it to broader US actions against India, including tariffs and H-1B visa issues. The government, however, clarifies that consumers will not be charged.
MPSC aspirants are protesting in Pune, demanding reforms and the resignation of the MPSC chairman due to alleged paper leaks. NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar announced that Rahul Gandhi is expected to meet the protesters on October 7 or 8. The Maharashtra government has already terminated an MPSC secretary and initiated a judicial inquiry into the commission's functioning.
Six US Democratic lawmakers, including Pramila Jayapal and Ilhan Omar, have urged US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address alleged excessive force during student protests in India and concerns over voter purges during his upcoming visit. They also accused Indian diplomatic missions of surveillance of protesters in the US and called for investigations into human rights violations and potential arms sales implications.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju met Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to discuss resolving the persistent deadlock in the Lok Sabha's monsoon session, focusing on the Delimitation Bill and FCRA Bill, though no immediate commitment was secured from the Congress leader.
AJUP chief and Naoda MLA Humayun Kabir has hinted at quitting electoral politics and his assembly membership after his arrest during the Rejinagar bypoll. Kabir, who claims the BJP will win Rejinagar due to a "looted mandate," expressed disillusionment with the democratic system and vowed not to attend the state assembly as long as Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is in office. He also alleged betrayal by Adhikari regarding his son's bypoll prospects.
AICC general secretary K C Venugopal announced that the INDIA bloc will stage a major protest in Delhi on Monday to protect voting rights, following meetings with the President and a planned meeting with the Chief Justice of India. He accused PM Modi and Amit Shah of attempting to protect Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and criticised the Centre for denying an AIIMS facility to Keralam despite past assurances. Venugopal affirmed the bloc's commitment to ensuring free and fair elections and expressed hope for AIIMS if they come to power.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant has rejected the INDIA bloc leaders' request for a meeting to submit a representation over alleged electoral irregularities, stating that they should approach the court by filing a petition as the matter is already sub judice.
Former Supreme Court judge Sanjay Kishan Kaul has criticised former Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud's approach to judicial appointments, alleging that he was "too deferential to the government". Kaul, in his forthcoming memoir, details instances where Chandrachud sought government "pre-approval" for appointments, raising concerns about judicial independence and executive pressure.
Rahul Gandhi has convened a high tea for INDIA bloc MPs to discuss a strategy for joint protests against alleged "vote theft" and to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. This meeting follows a "March for Democracy" by opposition leaders and activists to the Supreme Court, where they filed a petition challenging alleged poll irregularities.
Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff escaped unhurt after gunmen opened fire at his car in Mumbai's Juhu area, injuring his driver and an autorickshaw driver. Police have formed 15 teams to investigate the incident, which a viral social media post attributed to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, though authenticity is unverified. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has assured Shroff of swift action against the assailants.
An organisational meeting of the Punjab Congress in Ludhiana, aimed at preparing for the 2027 assembly elections, was marred by protests and "go back" slogans against senior leaders Bhupesh Baghel and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, highlighting the party's persistent internal divisions.
The Election Commission of India clarified its position after INDIA bloc MPs marched to its office, stating that no formal appointment was sought until late afternoon. The EC later declined a request to meet 240 MPs at the Parliament House Annexe, citing protocol that meetings must be held at the EC premises. The incident involved a protest march led by Rahul Gandhi and a standoff with police.
The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission to resolve the contentious dispute between the rival factions of the All India Trinamool Congress over its party name and crucial 'flowers and grass' election symbol within three months of the completion of pleadings.
A former Vadodara corporator has requested land for Indian spinner Radha Yadav to establish a cricket academy, following the Gujarat government's proposal to allocate a civic plot to former cricketer Yusuf Pathan. The request for Yadav aims to promote cricket and develop Vadodara as a sports city, contrasting with Pathan's decade-long dispute over a residential plot.
Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh clarified his stance on his political future and loyalty to the BJP, stating it is his duty to voice his feelings about Punjab to the party, but this does not imply he is quitting. He also reflected on his long political career and the current "difficult times" while attending a book launch.
A Congress spokesperson, quoted in media reports, summed up the party's thinking by saying, 'Whenever BJP is in trouble on the ground, a new 'apolitical' or 'alternative' party appears with the same ideology and the same backers.'
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged CEC Gyanesh Kumar to resign and turn approver, stating the opposition's fight is against the "bigger powers" behind him.
Leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc met President Droupadi Murmu, alleging 'vote chori' and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with the repeal of assembly polls from the last two years. Rahul Gandhi expressed shock that the President did not deny the 'election theft' charge but sought proof.
The INDIA bloc is set to convene on September 30 in New Delhi to formulate a unified strategy regarding the Election Commission, focusing on the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and concerns over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The meeting will also address coordinated protests and the CEC selection process, bringing together diverse opposition parties.
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee indicated her potential participation in a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. She strongly criticised the BJP and the Election Commission over alleged electoral malpractices and "SIR anomalies" in Bengal. Banerjee also expressed solidarity with Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra regarding their treatment during recent protests and plans to approach President Droupadi Murmu.
Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare has called for a CBI probe into the murder of party leader Pradeep Purnekar in Thane, alleging it was a contract killing and citing potential political pressure on local police. Opposition parties have also announced a protest march to the Thane police commissioner's office, while Shiv Sena MP Jyoti Waghmare accused opposition leaders of politicising the tragedy. Police have made arrests in connection with the murder.
The BJP has accused the Congress and its INDIA bloc allies of deliberately disrupting the Monsoon Session of Parliament, alleging that their conduct has prevented discussions on key Bills and exposed the Opposition's 'double standards' on issues such as paper leaks and student protests.
