Shashi Tharoor, one of the 23 leaders who had written to Sonia Gandhi seeking large-scale reforms in the Congress party, reflects on the recent Chintan Shivir and the need for a consultative process where diverse voices are heard. While some proposals, such as the revival of the parliamentary board and elections to the Working Committee, were intended to bring fresh perspectives, the ultimate decision-making power still lies with the party leadership. As Sonia Gandhi forms an advisory group, Tharoor remains skeptical of whether this will lead to meaningful change in the party.
A press conference in Stockholm took a dramatic turn when newly appointed Health Minister Elisabet Lann collapsed on live television due to low blood sugar. The incident caused a temporary cancellation of the conference, but Lann returned later in the day to assure the public that she was feeling better and there was no cause for concern. Lann took over the position only days ago, following the resignation of her predecessor.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid homage to the state's first chief minister Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant on his 138th birth anniversary. He praised Pant's contributions to the state's development and his role in steering it through the challenges of post-Independence. Despite the administrative chaos caused by colonial rule, Pant laid the foundations for UP's progress.
CP Radhakrishnan has been declared as India's next Vice President after securing 452 out of 752 valid votes in the recently held election. The NDA candidate's overwhelming victory was no surprise, as the opposition parties had chosen to abstain rather than challenge the NDA's clear majority. CP Radhakrishnan's brother, CP Kumaresh, expresses his joy and confidence in his brother's ability to successfully manage the Rajya Sabha and uphold PM Modi's trust. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh meets and congratulates the newly elected Vice President on his win.
The resignation of Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli amid anti-corruption protests has plunged the country into further turmoil. The situation has escalated as demonstrators stormed government buildings and Cabinet ministers resigned in protest. Meanwhile, India has issued a travel advisory for its citizens and the Nepali Army has urged for peaceful dialogue to resolve the crisis.
In South Asia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal have experienced significant political upheaval in the last three years due to youth-led protests against corruption, poor governance, and economic struggles. In Sri Lanka, a major economic crisis led to the ousting of President Rajapaksa, while in Bangladesh, protests against government job quotas evolved into a broader anti-corruption movement, resulting in the resignation of the Prime Minister. In Nepal, a ban on social media platforms sparked an uprising that ultimately led to the resignation of the Prime Minister. These events illustrate the growing frustration of young people with entrenched political elites and their demand for systemic change.
The Supreme Court of India is currently hearing petitions challenging the Election Commission of India's decision to conduct a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar ahead of the upcoming elections. In another case, Chief Justice of India B R Gavai has agreed to look into a plea regarding the vaccination and sterilisation of community dogs in Delhi. Meanwhile, with India facing high tariffs from the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the UN General Assembly in September to discuss trade issues and potentially meet with President Trump.
In a bid to remove NDA from power in the upcoming Bihar elections, Congress MP and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, along with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and other opposition leaders, is set to resume their 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' from Sitamarhi today. Yesterday, Tejashwi Yadav slammed NDA, saying that their reign can be fully abbreviated as 'Nahi Denge Adhikar.' This yatra comes amidst the opposition's claims of 'vote chori' and will cover over 1,300 km across 20 districts before concluding in Patna on September 1.
Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, a seasoned politician with a deep-rooted association with the RSS and BJP, was chosen by the NDA as its nominee for the Vice President of India. With over four decades of experience in politics and administration, Radhakrishnan is hailed by members of all parties. His election not only brings his exceptional leadership to the forefront but also breaks ground as the first OBC leader from South India to serve as Vice President.
The youth of Nepal took to the streets in massive protests against the government's ban on social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. The protests turned violent and resulted in 19 deaths and over 200 injuries. In the midst of this chaos, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned, seeking assistance from the military to control the situation. The protesters have also attacked and set fire to residences of several leaders, including the former PM's private residence. The situation in Nepal remains tense as the protests continue.