A heated argument between an army jawan and toll staff turned violent at the Bhuni Toll Plaza, leading to the NHAI imposing a hefty penalty on the toll collecting agency and initiating the process of their termination. The local police have also taken action, arresting six individuals. The NHAI has strongly condemned the incident and expressed their commitment to ensuring safe travel on National Highways. The incident occurred due to the failure of the agency to manage the situation and maintain staff discipline.
Amidst accusations of bias and manipulation in voter list revisions by the opposition, the INDIA bloc is reportedly planning to move an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The opposition alleges that the Commission's Special Intensive Revision in Bihar aims to unfairly influence election outcomes in favor of the ruling party. However, Kumar denies these claims and challenges the opposition to provide proof or apologize for baseless accusations that harm the Election Commission's credibility.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera criticized Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar for speaking and acting like a BJP member, while general secretary Jairam Ramesh pointed out the ECI's blatant partisanship and incompetence in handling the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar. The opposition party raised questions regarding the ECI's failure to respond to their concerns and for arguing against sharing CCTV footage of polling booths, which they claim is crucial evidence for ensuring fair elections. This comes after the ECI's updated rules on retaining such footage before destroying them, which has raised further doubts about voter privacy and the electoral process in India.
The Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, is set to present the revised Income Tax Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha today, replacing the earlier version that was tabled back in February. The fresh draft includes technical corrections and incorporates feedback from the Select Committee of Parliament, chaired by BJP MP Baijayant Panda. The Bill proposes a modern, digital-first, faceless assessment system and aims to replace the complex language of the 1961 Act with clearer terms.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated four new Amrit Bharat trains in Bihar's Motihari district, providing improved rail connectivity and a comfortable commuting experience for thousands of commuters. These trains will run between various cities such as Rajendra Nagar Terminal (Patna), New Delhi, Bapudham Motihari, Darbhanga, and more. Divisional Railway Officer Jayant Kumar Chaudhary spoke about the benefits of the new trains and also shared the train schedule, including stops at popular stations such as Kanpur and Prayagraj.
In a show of solidarity and appreciation, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted with resounding cheers and chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’ at a crucial NDA Parliamentary Party meeting. The event comes amidst a heated deadlock in Parliament over electoral roll revisions in Bihar. NDA leaders gathered to pass a resolution honoring the success of Operation Sindoor and Operation Mahadev, while opposition INDIA bloc protests in front of the Parliament building.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi kicked off the party's 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' in Bihar, spanning over 1,300 km and 20 districts. The yatra is a protest against the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision of voter lists, which the Congress has dubbed as "vote chori." Prominent leaders such as Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav joined Gandhi for the launch, and the route will take him through various districts before concluding in Patna.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang joined a candle march in Gangtok to honor the victims of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. In a show of solidarity, he emphasized the unity of Sikkim and its people with the nation in times of need. This demonstration was organized to extend a message that Sikkim stands strong with the country.
A massive gathering of supporters swarmed into Sasaram in Bihar as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi began the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’, a 16-day long march to raise awareness about the alleged manipulation of voter rolls by the BJP. Accompanied by prominent leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge, Lalu Prasad Yadav, and Tejashwi Yadav, Gandhi urged the people of Bihar to stand up against “vote theft” and protect the Constitution and democracy. He also pointed out the issue of 65 lakh voters being deleted from the rolls, which he claimed mostly affected marginalized communities.
Amidst allegations of missing votes and manipulation in the voter list, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar reaffirmed the Election Commission of India's commitment to transparency and impartiality in conducting elections. He dismissed rumors and political attempts to target the ECI, stating that over seven crore voters and stakeholders stand by the poll panel. This statement comes in response to the "Vote Adhikar Yatra" launched by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav in Bihar.