Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and party President Mallikarjun Kharge have reached Srinagar for a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir in order to strengthen the party's chances in the upcoming legislative elections. The visit was rescheduled due to the Bharat Bandh, but the leaders are expected to meet other political leaders, including Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, to discuss a potential pre-poll alliance against the BJP. The Congress has already finalized a seat-sharing formula with the National Conference and will be discussing this with them during their visit.
Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge Visit Srinagar to Strengthen Congress Ahead of Jammu and Kashmir Elections
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have embarked on a two-day visit to Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, to bolster the party's electoral prospects in the upcoming legislative elections.
Background:
Jammu and Kashmir has been under direct central rule since 2018, following the dissolution of the state assembly. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been trying to make inroads into the region, which has traditionally been dominated by regional parties.
In the 2014 Assembly elections, the Congress won 12 seats out of 87, while the BJP emerged as the second largest party with 25 seats. The Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) and National Conference (NC) formed a coalition government, which collapsed in 2018.
Purpose of the Visit:
Gandhi and Kharge are expected to meet with other political leaders, including Farooq Abdullah of the NC and Mehbooba Mufti of the PDP, to explore the possibility of a pre-poll alliance against the BJP.
The Congress has already finalized a seat-sharing formula with the NC, under which the Congress will contest 28 seats and the NC will contest 22 seats. The two parties are expected to discuss this formula further during the visit.
Challenges:
The Congress faces several challenges in the upcoming elections, including the BJP's strong presence in the region and the rise of regional parties. Additionally, the party has been plagued by factionalism and internal divisions in Jammu and Kashmir.
Significance:
A strong showing by the Congress in the elections would boost the party's morale and could give it a chance to revive its fortunes in the region. It would also strengthen the opposition to the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir.
Top 5 FAQs:
When are the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections scheduled?
Who is the current President of the Congress party?
Who is the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir?
Who is the leader of the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir?
What is the pre-poll alliance being discussed between the Congress and other parties?
The Rajya Sabha is set to witness a major shake-up in 2026 with 75 seats up for election, including those of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, and two key ministers from Uttar Pradesh. Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Andhra Pradesh will also see significant changes with leaders like Sharad Pawar, Shibu Soren, and Sana Satish Babu retiring. The upcoming elections will have a significant impact on the composition of the Upper House.
Lord Neil Kinnock, former leader of the Labour Party, has suggested imposing a 2% tax on assets worth more than £10 million. This move could potentially provide the government with an estimated £10-11 billion in additional revenue. However, a No10 source has distanced the government from the idea, stating that Lord Kinnock was expressing his personal views. The call for a wealth tax comes amidst pressure on the Chancellor to balance the budget after U-turns on cuts to disability benefits and winter fuel payments.
The Indian President has made four nominations to the Rajya Sabha under Article 80(1)(a) of the Constitution to fill vacancies left by retired members. These nominations include well-known Bharatiya Janata Party leader and advocate Ujjwal Nikam, who previously served as a special public prosecutor in high-profile cases. These fresh appointments are crucial for the Rajya Sabha to have diverse expertise and perspectives from individuals with special knowledge or practical experience in fields such as literature, science, art, and social service.
Amid the chaos surrounding the passage of the Republican tax bill, the fate of Mason General Hospital in Washington state hung in the balance. Providers are now bracing for the long-term effects of the "One Big Beautiful" bill, which could lead to millions of Americans losing their health insurance by 2034. With Washington expected to be among the hardest hit, experts warn of potential service cutbacks, layoffs, and even closure of hospitals. The devastating impacts will not only affect Medicaid beneficiaries, but also all Washingtonians' access to healthcare.
Karnataka has passed a controversial bill that seeks to curb the spread of fake news on social media, empowering a committee headed by the state Information & Broadcasting Minister to identify and penalize offenders. Social media users found guilty of posting "fake news" could face up to seven years in prison and a hefty fine of Rs 10 lakh. However, critics argue that the bill's vague and broad definitions of fake news and misinformation could lead to the suppression of free speech and artistic expression. This comes after a similar provision in the amended IT Rules 2021 was struck down by the Bombay High Court for lacking judicial oversight, raising concerns about government overreach.
In her new book, "Butler," veteran political reporter Salena Zito sheds light on the one element that mainstream media has missed in their coverage of President Trump's rallies - his authentic interactions with the often unseen workers who make his events possible. Zito shares firsthand accounts and insights from her interviews with Trump during his 2016 campaign, leading up to his successful 2024 reelection bid. She also highlights the enthusiasm and engagement of young voters who were drawn to Trump's message of Americanism and national unity.
The Indian government has released the initial report of the investigation into the Air India-171 crash, which killed 241 passengers on June 12. The report, released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), cites a dual-engine shutdown just seconds after take-off as the cause of the tragedy. The data recovered from the cockpit voice recording reveals a conversation between the two pilots discussing the sudden engine failure. While the report does not assign any blame, its main purpose is to prevent future accidents and incidents.
On Day 2 of the second Test between India and England at Lord's, Jasprit Bumrah picked up his 13th five-wicket haul in away Tests, becoming the most prolific Indian bowler in this regard. However, England fought back through half-centuries from Brydon Carse and Jamie Smith, who helped them reach a respectable total of 387 in their first innings. India's openers, KL Rahul and Karun Nair, showed resilience and took their team to Tea at 44 for 1, trailing by 343 runs.
In a recent defamation lawsuit, Dominion Voting Systems revealed that top executives and talent at Fox News were in agreement that claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election were "ludicrous" and "bs," despite allowing those claims to be spread on their airwaves. This is a striking contrast to the network's defense, which argues that they were simply covering news from the then-president. As the battle between Dominion and Fox intensifies, it shines a light on the inner workings of the conservative news channel.
Joseph Fitzgerald, a conservative member of the Middletown Board of Education in New Jersey, was arrested after being found with an unregistered gun during a traffic stop. It was revealed during a detention hearing that Fitzgerald may have been involved in an affair, which led him to confront the husband of his alleged paramour. The incident has caused controversy as Fitzgerald campaigned on a platform of family values and is seeking reelection this year.