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.
Anti-SIR protests in West Bengal. Pictures: Sourced by our correspondent. Nearly 24 hours after seven court-appointed judicial officers, including three women, were gheraoed and held hostage in Malda, Bengal Police arrested Maulana Shahjahan Ali, the Indian Secular Front's candidate for the Mothabari Assembly constituency, along with 17 others. The accused have been remanded to 10 days' police custody. Security forces rescued the seven judicial officers after protesters gheraoed them for several hours over the deletion of names from electoral rolls in Malda district. The sparks of protest spread from Mothabari, about 323 kms from Kolkata, to other parts of the state on Thursday. Highways were blocked and traffic movement was stopped. Protesters from the Malda Assembly constituency blocked National Highway 12 on Thursday morning. "Those who have been voting for 30 years, 17 years have been removed from the list. In my village the names of at least 200 people are missing. Why did "Vanish" Kumar (Chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar) do this?" asked Asadul Islam, a voter in Malda whose name is missing from the final rolls. Rabiul Karim, another voter in Malda, asked why the BJP nominees in the district were not speaking against the exclusion of Muslim voters from the electoral rolls. Of the 8, 28,127 voters marked under adjudication in the 12 Assembly constituencies of Malda, 1, 34,521 voters are in Sujapur, 79,683 voters are in Mothabari and 68,787 are in Baishnabnagar- all in Kaliachak block. Sabina Yeasmin, the minister of state for north Bengal development and Trinamool nominee from Sujapur, was present with the protesters. "The commission is using the same documents to reject a section of the voters and allow others. We want to know the reason behind this double-standard," the minister said. Additional district magistrate Sheikh Ansar Ahmed spoke with the protestors and sought time till April 5 to resolve the issue. The Supreme Court has directed the commission to complete the adjudication process by the last date of nomination for both the phases. A police driver was injured by stones pelted by protesters in Malda's Englishbazar. The Cooch Behar-Mathabhanga state highway was blocked for over three hours in the day by voters demanding to know why their names did not figure in the final and supplementary lists. The national highway 27 was blocked in Jalpaiguri's Moynaguri. The blockade was lifted after 4 pm. The Maynaguri-Lataguri road and the Maynaguri-Dhupguri stretch of the Asian Highway were obstructed at Churabhandar by the locals. On April 23, 152 constituencies in the 294-seat Bengal Assembly will go to polls for which the verification of adjudicated voters is underway. The supplementary list for these 152 seats would have to be completed by April 6. For the remaining 144 seats, the last date for filing of nominations is April 9. In East Burdwan district, a silent protest march was held at Burdwan town while in North 24-Parganas' Gaighata, Congress supporters protested the exclusion of members from the Matua community. Leader of Opposition in the outgoing Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari later addresse a news conference in Kolkata and claimed the gherao of the judicial officers engaged in the SIR exercise in Malda was orchestrated from the "top level of the Trinamool Congress in Kolkata under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee", with local leader Sabina Yasmin executing the plan on the ground. Adhikari specifically named Yasmin as the "primary architect of implementation" of the alleged plan at the district level. Earlier in the morning, Banerjee had blamed the Election Commission for "failing to protect" the judicial officers and alleged that Union home minister Amit Shah was orchestrating changes in the state's civil and police administration. "Everything is Shah's conspiracy, I demand his resignation," she had said. The incident of Wednesday night came at a time when the fate of over 60lakh voters, marked under adjudication in the final voters list published on February 28, is hanging in the balance. Till Tuesday evening, the 705 judicial officers involved in the process had disposed of 49, 62, 850 cases while another 11 lakh are still pending. Since the first supplementary list was released close to midnight March 23, the commission has not clarified how many among those adjudicated have been included in the final rolls. Since the Election Commission rolled out the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bengal, the state has been on the edge. On January 15 this year, in Murshidabad's Farakka, Trinamool lawmaker Manirul Islam led a mob to the block development officer's office and vandalised the office. The Trinamool dropped Islam from the list of candidates in the upcoming polls.
IMPHAL, Nov 17: The NPP on Sunday withdrew support from the BJP-led Government in Manipur, even as violence continued to rock the state as offices of the Congress and the saffron party were ransacked in the hill district of Jiribam where an unidentified body was found earlier in the day, officials said. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp A BJP MLA's ancestral house was vandalised in Imphal Valley while a building owned by Ashab Uddin, the Independent legislator of Jiribam, was ransacked, officials said. The incidents occurred a day after irate mobs set fire to the residences of ...Read More >
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], November 19 (ANI): With the Maharashtra elections approaching, wrestler and Congress MLA from Haryana's Julana, Vinesh Phogat, held a roadshow in Pune to support Congress candidate Datta Bahirat from the Shivajinagar Assembly constituency. She urged voters to ensure a victory for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), criticising the Mahayuti government for "injustice" by toppling the government elected by the people. "Everything is going well... If people shower their blessings on us on the 20th, we will win with a bigger margin this time. I appeal to voters to respond to ...Read More >
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday instructed officials to formulate proposals for constructing an iconic Deep-Technology building in the capital city of Amaravati. "I had built Hi-Tech City structure in Hyderabad to promote information technology. Now, it is time to embrace Deep-Tech and Artificial Intelligence to take advantage of the opportunities arising out of the latest technology," he underlined while reviewing the New IT Policy at the state secretariat. The Chief Minister announced that the state government will provide Rs 25 lakh as seed fundin ...Read More >
Story so far: India celebrated its 75th year of adoption of its Constitution on Tuesday (November 26, 2024) with President Droupadi Murmu addressing a joint session of parliament. While the Constitution of India hits its diamond jubilee this year, event commemorating is as 'Constitution Day' was started only in 2015. Prior to this, it was called 'National Law Day' -- first initiated by former Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Laxmi Mall Singhvi in 1979. "The Indian Constitution is a live, progressive document," said Ms. Murmu adding, "I urge all citizens to imbibe the constitutio ...Read More >
Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan has called for the replacement of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with ballot papers, citing concerns over the legitimacy of election results. Ranjan raised doubts about the EVM's accuracy, suggesting that the results may be influenced and advocating for a ballot paper system like many other countries. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also echoed similar sentiments, accusing EVMs of wasting votes from marginalized communities. This comes after the Congress' defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly election. The Supreme Court, however, dismissed a petition seeking th ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: BJP leader Amit Malviya on Tuesday accused Rahul Gandhi of being "so arrogant that he did not even greet the President" during the 75th Constitution Day event held in Parliament. This comes as the grand old party has often voiced its criticism against the saffron party for not inviting President Droupadi Murmu at the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building last year and Ram Temple consecration this year. "Rahul Gandhi is so arrogant that he did not even greet the President. Just because she comes from the tribal community, is a woman and Rahul Gandhi is the prince of ...Read More >
In this edition of Frontline Conversations, former Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare discusses how the Ladki Bahin scheme, which provided direct cash transfers to 2.35 crore women, transformed both the economic landscape and political dynamics of the State. The programme, which distributed Rs.7,500 across five instalments to women earning less than Rs. 2.5 lakh annually, not only empowered women with financial independence but also proved to be a decisive factor in Mahayuti's electoral victory, marking a shift in Maharashtra's traditionally male-dominated political ...Read More >
The Congress leadership was aware it was losing ground to the ruling Mahayuti following the gains made during the Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, several party leaders privy to an internal survey less than a month ahead of the November 20 elections have said, adding that the outcome shouldn't exactly come as a shock. As per a report in The Indian Express, several party leaders it spoke to admitted that a survey conducted in 103 "strong MVA seats" showed the Maha Vikas Aghadi ahead in only 44 seats out of 54 it was ahead in during the Lok Sabha elections. On the contrary, the Mahayuti, wh ...Read More >
PM Modi watches 'The Sabarmati Report', his first film as PM, sparking praise for its bold storytelling and historical significance. In a rare cinematic moment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi watched 'The Sabarmati Report' in Delhi, marking it as the only film he has seen since taking office. This powerful movie has captured the nation's attention for its gripping narrative and unflinching portrayal of a sensitive chapter in India's history, earning accolades from audiences, critics, and political leaders alike. The screening turned into a momentous occasion, with the film's cast and team exp ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], November 18 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party leader and in-charge of the party's National IT Department, Amit Malviya, on Monday, criticised the Congress party's 'hypocrisy' over their stance on the Adani Group, pointing to past investments and agreements made with the corporate conglomerate by Congress-ruled states. Taking to social media platform X, Malviya referenced Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's recent "public admission of accepting money" from the Adani Group on November 10, 2024, pointing out that this acknowledgment contradicted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's ...Read More >
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India] November 18 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party MP K Laxman slammed Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, accusing the Congress party of 'misleading' people. He further said that the people of Maharashtra know "how to teach a lesson" to Congress. "Revanth Reddy as a CM of Telangana and as a Congress leader is misleading the public. Maharashtra people are clever enough they know how to teach a lesson to these Congress people and Revanth Reddy you will come to know what has happened in Haryana that is going to be repeated in Maharashtra, and Jharkhand also," K Laxman ...Read More >
New Delhi, Nov 26: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking directions to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to introduce ballot paper in place of EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines). A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and P.B. Varale rejected the prayer to return to the ballot system due to the alleged manipulability of EVMs. "When you lose, EVMs are tampered with; when you win, EVMs are fine," remarked the apex court, when the petitioner referred to the statements made by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and his predecessor Jagan Mohan ...Read More >
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition is now gearing up for a national protest after losing Maharashtra state elections. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, which suffered a crushing defeat in last week's Maharashtra state elections, is now gearing up for a national protest against the credibility of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), which it blames for its loss. The MVA, led by the Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction), and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) (led by Sharad Pawar), is planning to challenge the use of EVMs in court and demand a return to ballot paper voting. Fo ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition seeking to revert to ballot paper voting in elections in the country. "What happens is, when you win the election, EVMs (electronic voting machine) are not tampered. When you lose the election, EVMs are tampered (with)," remarked a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and P B Varale. Apart from ballot paper voting, the plea sought several directions including a directive to the Election Commission to disqualify candidates for a minimum of five years if found guilty of distributing money, liquor or other material inducement to the voters d ...Read More >
New Delhi: The annual all-India conference of directors general of police and inspectors general of police will begin in Bhubaneswar on Friday where issues related to internal security, Jammu and Kashmir, and pro-Khalistan elements, among others are likely to be discussed, officials said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, among others will attend the three-day conference where cyber crimes, challenges posed by AI tools and threats emanating from drones are also expected to be discussed. About 250 officers of DGP and IGP ...Read More >
Sources said during the crucial Mahayuti leaders' meeting in New Delhi on Thursday night, Maharashtra's caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde sought 12 ministerial berths for his party It's been six days since the Maharashtra assembly election results were declared and the Mahayuti alliance emerged victorious, but suspense over the new head of the state and fresh cabinet minister is not over yet. Sources have said that the key alliance leaders will finalise a list and fly to Delhi on Monday to meet with the BJP top brass before making an announcement. Sources said during the crucial Mahayut ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 12 noon on Monday amid protests by opposition members over the Adani indictment row, recent violence in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal and other issues. As soon as the lower House met after the weekend break, many opposition members, including those from the Congress, were on their feet, raising the indictment of industrialist Gautam Adani in a US court on bribery charges, among other issues. Some members were in the Well of the House while other opposition members stood in the aisle and raised slogans. Speaker Om Birla asked the ...Read More >
BJP leaders, including Amit Malviya, CR Kesavan, and Pradeep Bhandari, accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of arrogance after he allegedly failed to greet President Droupadi Murmu, a tribal woman, during her speech on Constitution Day. Malviya claimed that Gandhi's refusal to acknowledge the President stemmed from her tribal background, while Kesavan and Bhandari pointed to Gandhi's "dynastic entitlement" and anti-tribal sentiments. The President, addressing Parliament, highlighted the significance of India's Constitution and lauded the government's efforts in social justice and inclusive dev ...Read More >
A violent clash between Bangladeshi security forces and supporters of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari resulted in one fatality on Tuesday. The incident occurred after Brahmachari, an outspoken monk and spokesperson for a newly-formed Hindu advocacy group, was denied bail on sedition charges. According to AFP, citing Nurul Alam, a police inspector stationed at Chittagong Medical College Hospital, public prosecutor Saiful Islam Alif succumbed to injuries sustained during the altercation. "He had deep injuries on his head," confirmed hospital director Taslim Uddin. The clashes erup ...Read More >
Shinde accepts BJP's decision, likely to receive key ministries Shinde has agreed to BJP's decision to make a Chief Minister from its ranks. He is expected to be given important portfolios like Urban Development, Public Works Department, and Water Resources. Sources also say that two Deputy Chief Ministers will be appointed, one each from Shiv Sena and NCP. Pawar has told his party leaders that the swearing-in ceremony could take place this weekend. Despite initial resistance, Shinde announced his party's support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah's decision on the ...Read More >
Bengaluru, Nov 28 (UNI) The visit of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar to New Delhi has sparked fresh speculation about a possible Cabinet reshuffle in the state. As the two Congress leaders continue their discussions in the national capital, several party figures in the state have weighed in on the ongoing talks about changes in the Cabinet. Senior Congress leader Satish Jarkiholi commented on the ongoing talks about a possible Cabinet reshuffle, saying, "There are discussions that it could happen, although I'm not certain about the timing. There are reports ...Read More >
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], December 2 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) President Farooq Abdullah claimed that Muslims are feeling unsafe and stated that there is no discrimination based on religion, as guaranteed by the Constitution. The former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir also said that the government should treat Muslims without any discrimination. "...There is no doubt that Muslims are feeling unsafe. I will ask the govt of India to stop that. 24 crore Muslims cannot be thrown into the ocean. They (the govt) should treat Muslims equally, there is no di ...Read More >
Campaigning for the November 20 assembly bypolls to four seats in Punjab ended on Monday evening with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Opposition Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party making last-ditch efforts to mobilise support for their respective candidates. Hours before the campaign ended at 6 pm, major political outfits intensified their efforts to woo the voters. Bypolls to four assembly segments -- Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal (SC) and Barnala -- will be held on November 20 from 7 am to 6 pm, and the results will be out on November 23. The bypolls were necessitated afte ...Read More >
Defying pollsters, exit polls, and predictions, the BJP scored a hat trick in Haryana, albeit with a narrow lead in the recent Assembly election. It formed a government on its own sans any ally, and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini assumed office for a second consecutive term with relative ease. But the euphoria did not last long. In the first Assembly session convened after the new government took over, the opposition, led by the Congress and the electorally diminished Indian National Lok Dal, attacked the government on the issue of fertilizer shortages in the sowing season. The government d ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Odisha for three days, from November 29 to December 1, to attend the annual Director General of Police (DGP) conference in Bhubaneswar. Union home minister Amit Shah will accompany him at the event, which will be held at the convention hall of Odisha Lok Seva Bhawan (State Secretariat). PM Modi and Shah are expected to arrive in Bhubaneswar on Friday afternoon. Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the high-profile visit, with the city placed on high alert. Areas surrounding the event venues have been declared 'no-f ...Read More >
The High Court in Bangladesh refused to issue a suo motu order to ban ISKCON's activities, after being informed of governmental actions taken. Legal authorities reported necessary measures are in place, while three cases involving a lawyer's murder and ISKCON's activities have led to 33 arrests. The High Court in Bangladesh chose not to issue a suo motu order banning the activities of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) following assurances from government officials that necessary actions have been taken. This decision came after Supreme Court lawyer Md Monir Uddin pr ...Read More >
The Palakkad bypoll has turned into a fierce triangular contest with key defections adding to the excitement. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan campaigned for former Congress leader P Sarin, now contesting as an Independent for the LDF, while BJP’s C Krishnakumar faces a tough challenge. Sarin, a former Congress digital strategist, switched parties after being snubbed for the Congress ticket. Meanwhile, BJP leader Sandeep Varier defected to Congress, further intensifying the race. With the election crucial for UDF, NDA, and LDF's momentum heading into the 2026 Kerala assembly elections, all eyes are ...Read More >
The BJP employed a targeted campaign strategy in the Maharashtra elections, focusing on key opposition figures. This micro-planning, previously used in other states, led to victories against Congress leaders Prithviraj Chavan and Balasaheb Thorat. Detailed booth analysis and voter studies informed the campaign, contributing to the BJP's success in these traditionally Congress strongholds. ...Read More >
FACT CHECKThe slain lawyer was not defending Chinmoy Das; he was part of the Chattogram Bar Association Several news outlets have falsely claimed that a lawyer who was representing arrested Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari was killed in clashes that took place at Bangladesh's Chattogram Court premises on November 26. BOOM was able to confirm that the slain lawyer Saiful Islam, who was a member of Chattogram Bar Association, was not representing Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari as his legal counsel. Tensions erupted in Chattogram, the port city of Bangladesh, following the arrest ...Read More >
New Delhi, Nov 28 (UNI) Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took oath as a Lok Sabha member on Thursday following her thumping victory from Kerala's Wayanad in a by-poll. Priyanka won the bypolls in Wayanad earlier this month by defeating her nearest CPI rival Sathyan Mokeri by over 4.10 lakh votes. While taking the oath, the 52-year-old Priyanka held a copy of the Constitution. The Wayanad Lok Sabha seat was vacated by Priyanka Gandhi's brother, Rahul Gandhi, who had won from there in the Lok Sabha elections this year. However, he opted to remain an MP from the Gandhi family b ...Read More >