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.
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.
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.
Tensions continue to rise in Kathmandu as protesters, largely made up of members of Nepal's "Gen Z" generation, take to the streets to oppose both government corruption and a recent social media ban. The curfew in the city has been extended as clashes between police and demonstrators escalate, with reports of protesters storming government buildings. The ban, which has blocked popular platforms such as Facebook and YouTube, has left millions without access to key channels for entertainment, news, and business, sparking public outrage. While the government claims to respect freedom of expression, the ban and its demands for companies to register in the country have sparked heated debates over censorship and the erosion of individual rights.
In her recent column, Congress MP Sonia Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi government's Great Nicobar Project, labeling it a "planned misadventure" that threatens the rights of indigenous communities and ignores important environmental safeguards. She also highlighted the potential ecological and cultural catastrophe that the development project could cause, displacing the Nicobarese people from their ancestral homes. Gandhi further criticized the government's inadequate approach to compensatory afforestation and questioned the project's staggering scale and cost, citing concerns over deforestation and loss of biodiversity.
The political landscape in France is set to undergo a major shift as Prime Minister Francois Bayrou is expected to be ejected from office after a surprise no-confidence vote. This move has plunged the country into a crisis and dealt a blow to President Emmanuel Macron's leadership. Despite attempts to secure support from opposition parties, Bayrou is unlikely to retain his position, making him the second PM in a row to be removed from office in less than a year.
In a controversial and unprecedented move, Mehraj Malik, an MLA from Jammu and Kashmir and leader of the Aam Aadmi Party, was detained under the Public Safety Act for alleged involvement in activities that pose a threat to public order. This is the first instance of a sitting MLA being held under the stringent act that allows detention without charge or trial for up to two years. Several political parties, including AAP, have condemned the action and assert that it will not deter their legislator from speaking for the rights of the people. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has also criticized the use of the law against Malik, stating that it is unjustified and erodes faith in democracy.
The French parliament has delivered a major blow to Prime Minister Francois Bayrou's administration, voting against it by a large margin. According to Article 50 of the constitution, Bayrou must now resign from his government. This leaves President Emmanuel Macron with the difficult task of choosing a new prime minister, or possibly calling for a new parliamentary or presidential election. Some parliamentary groups are pushing for Macron to resign, but he has refused to do so. Deputy Mathilde Panot has given him two options - impeachment or resignation.