In a move that highlights her trust in the younger generation of TMC leaders, Mamata Banerjee has declared her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, as the leader of the TMC’s Lok Sabha unit. This decision marks a significant elevation for Abhishek, who has been a key player in the party’s organizational machinery. It also reflects the party’s efforts to address internal factionalism and strengthen unity within the parliamentary unit. Party leaders believe that under Abhishek’s leadership, the TMC’s parliamentary functioning will see greater discipline, coordination, and communication.
The Times of India is set to host the 6th edition of TOI Dialogues, focusing on infrastructure development in Uttar Pradesh. Taking place on August 7, 2025 at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Lucknow, the event will bring together key policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society to discuss UP's role in driving India's progress towards a $5 trillion economy. Topics will include the growth of defence corridors, industrial development, and transportation infrastructure in the state. Join us for a stimulating and insightful discussion on accelerating India's growth trajectory.
The ongoing feud between the Congress and BJP continues as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accuses the Election Commission and BJP of electoral fraud in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. BJP leader Kiren Rijiju and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan fire back, accusing the Congress of targeting constitutional institutions and creating a false narrative. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra points out the Congress' selective outrage and double standards, further escalating the political battle.
The BJP has denounced Rahul Gandhi's allegations of electoral fraud in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as a "calculated deceit" and part of a larger scheme to undermine India's democracy and Constitution. The party has accused the Congress of insulting the people's decisions and expressed frustration over Gandhi's repeated losses in elections.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde have strongly refuted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's allegations of electoral manipulation in the 2024 Maharashtra assembly polls. Fadnavis even went on to say that Gandhi's brain is either stolen or missing a chip, while Shinde accused him of creating a false narrative. This comes after Gandhi's explosive claims of the EC colluding with BJP to steal the elections.
Despite opposition protests and allegations of mass voter deletions, the Election Commission states that no political party has raised any objections to the draft electoral rolls for Bihar. The EC has clarified that 5,015 claims and objections were received from individual voters and that all claims and objections will be reviewed fairly before finalizing the list. The Supreme Court has also directed the EC to submit detailed information on the deletions and provide a copy to an NGO that has raised concerns about the process. Further, the ECI has stated that 1.60 lakh Booth Level Agents have been actively involved in the verification process, and voters can also use an official online portal to verify their enrollment and file claims or objections.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the Election Commission of India of aiding a "choreographed election" during a press conference on Thursday. He presented research claiming over 1 lakh votes were stolen in the Mahadevapura Assembly segment, giving BJP an unfair advantage in the final outcome. He also questioned the BJP's alleged lack of anti-incumbency in elections and raised concerns about the multi-phase polling process.
Amidst the current global economic uncertainties and increasing trade tensions with the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised on promoting "Swadeshi" or locally made products. He also assured that the government is committed to protecting the interests of farmers, small businesses, and the job market in India. He urged the Indian industry to prioritize domestic manufacturing and make India's products world-class by not compromising on quality. Additionally, he appealed to citizens to also support the "Swadeshi" movement by choosing locally made goods for upcoming festivals and weddings.
Chaos erupted in Patna as aspirants for the Secondary Teachers Eligibility Test (STET) clashed with police while protesting for the exam to be scheduled before the Teachers Recruitment Exam (TRE-5). Despite warnings, the crowd refused to disperse, prompting police to use lathi-charge to control the situation. The protesters alleged injuries, but officials denied the claim, citing the disruption of traffic and barricades. The group expressed their frustration over the delay in the biannual STET exams, which has affected the chances of numerous qualified candidates.
The Election Commission has kickstarted the process for the September 9th Vice Presidential election, following the sudden resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar. Opposition parties are expected to join forces to challenge the BJP-led NDA coalition, which currently holds the majority. Dhankhar's resignation was unprecedented, as past incumbents who stepped down mid-term were running for a higher office. The upcoming election will be decided by the Electoral College comprising members of both houses of parliament, including nominated members.
At the News18 SheShakti West summit, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis spoke about the progress of women's representation in Indian politics. He highlighted key reforms, such as Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which mandates 33% reservation for women in government positions. Fadnavis also discussed how corporate India is leading the way in workplace reforms for women.