According to the Election Commission of India data, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury lost to TMC candidate Yusuf Pathan in Baharampur constituency by around 85,022 votes. The result highlights a shift in political power in West Bengal, with the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance securing 43 out of the state's 80 Lok Sabha seats compared to the NDA's 36. Prime Minister Modi's visit to the ancient Nalanda University ruins also signifies the growing importance of Bihar, which holds significant political weight in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has revealed its first list of 99 candidates for the #MaharashtraElection2024, with Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis set to contest from Nagpur South West, and state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule from Kamthi. Other notable nominees include minister Girish Mahajan running from Jamner, and minister Sudhir Mungantiwar from Ballarpur. This move sets the stage for a fierce competition as the party prepares to defend its hold in the state.
The Mahakaleshwar temple in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain has landed in a controversy after Lok Sabha member Shrikant Shinde, the son of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, was allowed entry into the sanctum sanctorum, which has been banned for a year. An investigation has been ordered and action will be taken against those responsible. The incident has sparked criticism from the opposition and has raised questions about VIP treatment in religious places, while common citizens have to wait for hours for darshan. Meanwhile, noted filmmakers Rajkumar Hirani and Vijay Varma discuss the impact of the pandemic on cinema and the importance of creative instincts over box office numbers.
Former Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda held a press conference on the auspicious occasion of Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti, calling for CM Siddaramaiah's resignation due to the Tribal Board scam. He presented evidence of the wrongdoing through a bail order issued by the judiciary. The ED charge sheet also mentions the alleged misuse of funds from the Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation for Lok Sabha elections. Meanwhile, Gowda criticized the Congress government's move to name all residential schools after Valmiki, stating that it is not enough and their intention should be to uplift the community.
The upcoming bypoll in Wayanad Lok Sabha seat has gained significant political significance as Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra prepares for her electoral debut in Kerala. This could potentially unite the Gandhi family in Parliament for the first time, with all three members serving together. This move comes after the Congress party's decision to vacate the Wayanad constituency, opening the door for Priyanka Gandhi. The bypoll is scheduled for November 13 and will coincide with the first phase of polling for the Jharkhand Assembly.
After being appointed National Spokesperson for the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar), a position he never imagined himself in, the author reflects on his unconventional path into Indian politics. As India's first openly gay national spokesperson, he navigates the challenges and opportunities of campaigning in the diverse and complex state of Maharashtra. His journey from being a back-room strategist to taking on a prominent role was influenced by his work with Pink List India and his connection with Supriya Sule. With the success of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, he shares his conviction and responsibility to represent the NCP in the national arena.
In the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024, Rampal, a 50-year-old farmer from Misrikh, Uttar Pradesh, is making his political debut as an independent candidate representing the IND party. With no cases against him and a clean educational and financial background, Rampal hopes to bring change and development to his constituency. His profession as an agriculturist will also give him insights into the challenges and needs of the rural community, making him a strong contender for the upcoming elections.
In a surprise political move, Ashok Tanwar, a prominent leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Haryana, has joined the Congress party. Tanwar, who was a member of BJP's campaign committee in the state, made his return to Congress official in a public rally attended by party leader Rahul Gandhi. While the reason for his switch remains unclear, the Congress has welcomed Tanwar, stating that his return will strengthen their fight for the rights of Dalits in the state. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi used the opportunity to amplify the ideological differences between Congress and BJP during a poll rally, citing the mistreatment of women wrestlers in Delhi as an example of BJP's anti-Constitution approach.
Udhayanidhi Stalin, a rising political figure in Tamil Nadu, used simple yet effective messaging to challenge the BJP-led Centre in the lead up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. With his '29 paisa' campaign, he targeted the government for allegedly not allocating enough funds to the state. This ultimately led to his elevation as Deputy Chief Minister in September 2024. Under his leadership, the DMK youth wing focused on engaging with the Dravidian spirit and utilizing technology to expand party membership. His successful 'single brick' campaign also gained him widespread praise. Despite controversies surrounding his comments on Sanatan Dharma, Udhayanidhi's natural ability to connect with people has solidified his position as a prominent leader in the political arena.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, took to social media to criticize the BJP for the rising unemployment in Haryana, which has forced many youth to migrate to foreign countries. He shared a video of his interaction with Haryanvi immigrants in the US, who talked about their struggles in a foreign land. Gandhi pointed out how the families of these migrants are paying the price of the BJP's failures with their absence and how lack of opportunities is affecting generations to come.