India's political landscape is ablaze with activity! From the ongoing debates surrounding the new farm bills and their impact on rural India, to the upcoming state elections shaping the national narrative, the stakes couldn't be higher. Key political figures are maneuvering strategically, with alliances shifting and power dynamics constantly in flux. The opposition's challenge to the ruling party is intensifying, sparking vigorous debates on crucial policy matters including economic reforms and social justice initiatives. Parliamentary proceedings are filled with heated exchanges, reflecting the deep divisions within the nation. This evolving political climate directly impacts the lives of every Indian citizen, influencing everything from economic opportunities to social welfare programs. Stay informed about the latest developments in Indian politics, from crucial legislative decisions to grassroots movements, by exploring Abtak.com for in-depth analysis and breaking news updates. Understanding the intricacies of our political system is crucial; stay engaged, stay informed, and stay ahead.
NEW DELHI: Citing serious "drift in foreign policy that requires immediate introspection and course correction", Congress on Thursday claimed the "fundamental departures" from traditional positions has cost the country its "moral authority" and leadership of the developing countries.It said the Modi govt's refusal to vote for a ceasefire in Gaza in the united nations general assembly is symptomatic of the chaotic choices being made against the national consensus which has underpinned its foreign policy since Independence. Congress also demanded a discussion on the foreign policy in the monsoon session of Parliament.Former union minister Anand Sharma said India's silence on Gaza is unacceptable and has shocked its traditional partners that look up to the country. India had taken a position after the Hamas attacks in Oct 2023, but what is happening now in Gaza is "genocide". Since India has relations with both Israel and Palestine, it should speak out to put an end to the killings, he said.Talking about India's absention during the UNGA vote on Gaza ceasefire, Sharma said, "India did not take a position for peace. This diminished India's credibility as a leader of the global south. Because all the countries of the global south voted for the resolution. How can the leader not be with them?"He urged the govt to prevail upon its strategic partners to work for restoration of peace in Gaza.Sharma also sought a discussion on foreign policy in the monsoon session of Parliament, adding that every democratic country has such discussions in the interests of consensus and transparency.The neighbourhood policy is equally important, he said, urging the govt to ensure that the neighbourhood policy is not influenced by its domestic "partisan" agenda.
Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha and Union minister JP Nadda on Thursday said that the Chair should not be questioned or criticised about admissibility, calling it contempt of the House and Chairman. He also condemned Mallikarjun Kharge for criticising the Chair in a press conference the day before, calling it wrong. "The Chair cannot be questioned with regard to admissibility or for any other purposes. The Chairman's ruling cannot be questioned or criticised; to do so is contempt of the Hous ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 12 (ANI): JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha on Thursday backed the proposed 'One Nation, One Election' bill, stating that party supremo Nitish Kumar has always supported simultaneous Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections. He added that the party had previously voiced its support for the bill and had approached the relevant committee. Jha remarked, "Our party welcomes this. We had approached this committee, and I was also part of the delegation. Nitish Kumar has always advocated for simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha. We conveyed to the committee that ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 13 (ANI): Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Friday slammed the 'One Nation, One Election' being passed by the Union Cabinet, calling it an "attack on federalism." "The Congress party has already cleared its stand as One Nation One Election is an attack on federalism and there should be a discussion on the election process in the parliament," he said. The 'One Nation One Election' bill was approved by the Union Cabinet on Thursday paving the way for its introduction in Parliament. However, before its introduction in the Parliament, the bill initiated debate between the r ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, charging that defamation of Jawaharlal Nehru and minimum democratic governance was his model. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said Prime Minister Modi has an "obsession" with Nehru as he invokes him to distract the nation's attention from his own failures and current challenges on which he maintains a complete silence. The Congress attack on the prime minister came a day after he attacked the party during the debate on the 'Glorious 75 year journey of India's Constitution'. "It was the famous French philoso ...Read More >
Belgavi (Karnataka) [India], December 26 (ANI): Congress leader Supriya Shrinate on Thursday lashed out Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pralhad Joshi's statement on the CWC meeting and said that people like Joshi did not understand the ethos of Mahatma Gandhi or Congress. "People like Pralhad Joshi don't understand the ethos of Mahatma Gandhi, they don't understand the ethos of Congress. They don't understand that Congress was born out of freedom struggle, we fought for India's independence, we are the architects of modern India...we have had Presidents like Mahatma Gan ...Read More >
xternal Affairs Minister (EAM), S. Jaishankar, on Monday, met with the Foreign Minister of Ukraine and discussed the conflict with Russia at the sidelines of the MED Mediterranean Dialogues Conference in Rome, Italy. Apart from Ukraine, EAM Jaishankar met with his counterparts from France, Lebanon, and Croatia as well. On his meeting with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, the EAM reiterated India's support for "dialogue and diplomacy" to end the long-running conflict. "Good to meet FM of Ukraine @andrii_sybihain Rome today. Useful exchange on advancing our bilateral cooperation. ...Read More >
Pointing to the increase in the country's stature in the world forum, he asked how, under these circumstances, the promises made to farmers cannot be fulfilled. "Policy-making is not on right track," he added.. Jagdeep Dhankhar's comments come amid a spike in farmer protests. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar took up the farmers' issue and questioned the government on their behalf today, directing most of his queries at the Union agriculture minister. Pointing to the increase in the country's sta ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Union Cabinet has approved the 'One Nation, One Election' bill, to revive a concept that was once the norm in India's electoral history. The proposal aims to streamline elections across the country by holding simultaneous polls for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. The idea of holding simultaneous elections is not new to India. In the early years after independence, elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies were held together in 1951-52, 1957, 1962, and 1967. However, this practice was disrupted when several State Assemblies were dissolved prematurely in 1968 and 1969. ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 12 (ANI): Amid ruckus in the House, Rajya Sabha was adjourned on Thursday till 11 am on December 13. Earlier in the day, the House was adjourned till 2 pm. However, after it reconvened in the afternoon, the House continued to witness the uproar as the Opposition members demanded discussions on various notices they had submitted. The House had to be adjourned within half an hour. Amid the ruckus, Former Prime Minister and JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda slammed the Opposition for bringing an impeachment motion against the House Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. "For the first ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Union Cabinet cleared the bill for the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal on Thursday (December 12). This development comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA have been repeatedly advocating for this initiative asserting that it will "strengthen the democracy" by holding simultaneous elections in the country. "Elections are held at different places every few months and it hampers the developmental work and all of you know it. Therefore, it is must to have deep study and deliberation on 'One Nation, One Election'," the PM said. "Only one voters' list should be used f ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 12 (ANI): Congress MP Jairam Ramesh has demanded that the proposed 'One Nation, One Election' bill be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, asserting that the bill undermines democracy. "The bill will be presented in Parliament, and we want it to be referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which will hold discussions on it. The Indian National Congress's position was clarified last year by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, who sent a four-page letter to former President Ram Nath Kovind's committee on One Nation, One Election, stating that we oppose the b ...Read More >
Belagavi (Karnataka) [India], December 13 (ANI): Karnataka Legislative Council LoP Chalavadi Narayanaswamy on Friday expressed support for the 'One Nation, One Election' and questioned the opposition's protests against the proposal. Narayanaswamy said that 'One Nation, One Election' will ease the government's financial burden and reduce election costs, urging everyone to support the initiative. Also Read | Telangana Handcuffing Controversy: Tribal Farmer Taken To Sangareddy Hospital in Handcuffs by Police, CM Revanth Reddy Orders Inquiry (Watch Video). Speaking to ANI, Chalavadi Narayanaswa ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Sunday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, charging that defamation of Jawaharlal Nehru and minimum democratic governance was his model. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said Prime Minister Modi has an "obsession" with Nehru as he invokes him to distract the nation's attention from his own failures and current challenges on which he maintains a complete silence. The Congress attack on the prime minister came a day after he attacked the party during the debate on the 'Glorious 75 year journey of India's Constitution'. "It was the famous French philoso ...Read More >
The Congress on Sunday (December 15, 2024) hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, charging that defamation of Jawaharlal Nehru and minimum democratic governance was his model. Constitution is the basis of Indian unity, but Congress has wounded that spirit: PM Modi Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said Prime Minister Modi has an "obsession" with Nehru as he invokes him to distract the nation's attention from his own failures and current challenges on which he maintains a complete sile ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], January 13 (ANI): Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw criticised Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and called him "factually incorrect" over his remark that most incumbent governments, including India in 2024 elections, lost post-COVID. He added that the people of India have reaffirmed their trust in the NDA led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "As the world's largest democracy, India conducted the 2024 elections with over 640 million voters. People of India reaffirmed their trust in the ND led by PM @narendramodi Ji's leadership. Mr. Zuckerberg's claim that most incumbent governments, ...Read More >
HYDERABAD: Amid a rising controversy over US President Donald Trump's claim of having negotiated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan after Operation Sindoor, Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday claimed that the Narendra Modi government succumbed to pressure from Trump and backed down from the opportunity to crush terrorism and defeat Pakistan following the Pahalgam terrorist attack.Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had turned down the US President's offer to mediate and stop the war with Pakistan in 1971. It is unfortunate, Revanth said, that the present US President cla ...Read More >
Guwahati (Assam) [India], December 13 (ANI): AIUDF MLA and Party General Secretary Dr Rafiqul Islam responded to the Union Cabinet's approval of the 'One Nation, One Election' and labelled the bill "very difficult and almost impossible" to implement effectively, questioning its sustainability given the country's vast and diverse political landscape. The AIUDF MLA claimed that the BJP lacks the majority to pass the bill in Parliament and suggested it might be referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). Also Read | Atul Subhash Suicide Case: Wife Nikita Singhania Absconds, Karnataka Pol ...Read More >
Patna (Bihar) [India], December 15 (ANI): Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan (Lallan) Singh on Sunday accused the Congress of insulting the Constitution since Independence and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken about this in his address to the Lok Sabha. Speaking to mediapersons, Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh said, "The Congress party has disrespected the Constitution since Independence and PM Modi showed them the mirror in Lok Sabha." On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress of constantly disrespecting the Constitution. Responding to the two-day discussion in Lok Sabh ...Read More >
New Delhi, December 15: The 'One Nation, One Election' Bill, officially known as the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, will not be tabled in the Lok Sabha on Monday. The Revised Business List of the Lower House for the day does not mention the Bill. The first list had scheduled the Bill for Monday. It mentioned, "... Arjun Ram Meghwal to move for leave to introduce a Bill further to amend the Constitution of India. Also to introduce the Bill." One Nation, One Election: Union Cabinet Approves Bills for Simultaneous Lok Sabha, State Assembly Elections, Say Source ...Read More >
H.E. Josel Francisco Ignacio, current Ambassador of the Philippines to India shares his credentials with President Droupadi Murmu On 16 November 1949, the Philippines and India, the two independent democracies would forge diplomatic ties. The two republics were born just a few years apart, first set out on the road to their bilateral friendship and collaboration. This inaugurated a period of closer government interaction, commerce and investment, and other bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Building on much common ground in history, democratic ideals, socio-economic imperatives and aspi ...Read More >
Guwahati, Dec 12: The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the "One Nation, One Election" bill, a landmark proposal aimed at synchronising elections across the country. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, currently on a visit to Odisha, hailed the move as a significant step toward "minimising disruptions" to developmental work caused by frequent election cycles. Speaking to the press during a visit to Jagannath Temple in Puri, Sarma asserted the rationale behind the initiative, stating, "Recently, we held Lok Sabha elections, and now legislative elections are around the corner in Assam. ...Read More >
Belagavi (Karnataka) [India], December 13 (ANI): Karnataka Legislative Council LoP Chalavadi Narayanaswamy on Friday expressed support for the 'One Nation, One Election' and questioned the opposition's protests against the proposal. Narayanaswamy said that 'One Nation, One Election' will ease the government's financial burden and reduce election costs, urging everyone to support the initiative. Speaking to ANI, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy said, "Why are they (opposition) protesting (One Nation One Election)? Indira Gandhi was also doing the same. One Nation One Election will not put a burden on ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: A political slugfest erupted after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was stopped from visiting violence-hit Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh, with the BJP accusing the Congress leader of attempting to incite communal tensions. BJP leaders criticised Gandhi's visit as a desperate political move, driven by competition with the Samajwadi Party (SP) to reclaim vote banks. Meanwhile, Congress leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, slammed the government's actions as undemocratic and an assault on constitutional rights. BJP spokesperson Dr Sudhanshu Trivedi described the visit as a "sign of h ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 11 (ANI): On the birth anniversary of former President Pranab Mukherjee, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge paid glowing tributes to the statesman, recalling his immense contributions to India's democracy and development. Kharge took to social media to share a heartfelt message, quoting one of Mukherjee's profound observations: Also Read | Atul Subhash Suicide Case: 4 People Including Bengaluru Techie's Wife Nikita Singhania Booked for Abetment of Suicide. "India's true story is the partnership of the people. Our wealth has been created by farmers and workers, ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 12 (PTI) The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved bills to implement 'One Nation, One Election', and the draft legislations are likely to be introduced in Parliament in the ongoing Winter session, sources said. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The government is keen on holding wider consultations on bills which are likely to be referred to a parliamentary committee. Sources said the government was also keen to consult the Speakers of various state legislative assemblies through the committee. Moving ahead with it ...Read More >
Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh) [India], December 13 (ANI): Samajwadi Party (SP) leader ST Hasan on Friday said that the 'One Nation, One Election' rule was not possible in the country with the various cultures and laws present. "The One Nation, One Election rule is not possible in our country. Our country has a lot of different cultures and religious laws. There is a huge conspiracy behind it... Indirectly, only the centre will rule. They are trying to change the Constitution. They are talking about a common civil court, saying One Nation One Constitution... tomorrow you'll say One Nation One Cult ...Read More >
CHENNAI: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has issued a whip ordering its party MPs to attend the Lok Sabha sessions on December 13 and 14 (today and tomorrow), as some important legislative business is likely to be discussed, said a Daily Thanthi report. They have been asked to be present in the lower House ahead of the rare Constitution debate which is all set to take place in the Lok Sabha on December 13 and 14, and in the Rajya Sabha on December 16 and 17. The discussion is being held to commemorate the 75th anniversary of adoption of India's Constitution. The Bharatiya Janata Party (B ...Read More >
New Delhi [India] January 22 (ANI): Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take a stand in defending the rights of Indian immigrants in the United States. Surjewala also highlighted the contributions of over 20,000 Indian immigrants and expressed concerns over the government's silence on the deportation orders under President Donald Trump's administration. Sharing a detailed post on X Surjewala said, "Dear Prime Minister Modi ji, Pls spare a few moments to watch Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde speaking the truth to President of United States of Amer ...Read More >
New Delhi, December 4: Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday shared an "extraordinary experience" at his home when a monkey ran towards him, hugged him and after being treated to a couple of bananas, rest his head on the Congress MP's chest and dozed off. Tharoor put out pictures from this unusual encounter on X and went on to narrate the incident that left many users of the platform bemused. "Had an extraordinary experience today. While I was sitting in the garden, reading my morning newspapers, a monkey wandered in, headed straight for me and parked himself on my lap. He hungrily ate a couple of bana ...Read More >
INDIA bloc MPs, donning black jackets with slogans like "Modi Adani Ek Hai", protested at Parliament demanding a joint probe into the Adani issue. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused PM Modi of evading discussion on the "Adani mega scam" while defending Adani's alleged corruption. Rahul Gandhi asserted that Modi won't investigate Adani as it would be like investigating himself.Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Thursday said the country's people want the "Adani mega scam" to be discussed in Parliame ...Read More >