The BSP’s shrinking presence has made its traditional vote base more contested in Uttar Pradesh. Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav are both seeking greater support among Dalit voters.
The ultimatum highlights growing internal strains within the coalition led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. Tensions began building after multiple TVK leaders openly championed Chief Minister Vijay as a potential national leader and prime ministerial prospect for 2029.
Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, earlier accused BJP-RSS workers of carrying out the alleged ritual and called it a form of untouchability. He also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to direct the filing of an FIR against those allegedly involved.
The confrontation escalated on Saturday after Paswan, whose Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has consistently opposed sub-quotas within SC reservation, said Manjhi should resign if he supports the introduction of a creamy layer. Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) has backed sub-classification within the existing SC and ST quotas.
Feuding leaders are set to join the journey; defiance could invite action.
Actor Kriti Sanon faced widespread backlash over her attire in a Raksha Bandhan advertisement, sparking online controversy.
The posters appear to draw on a light-hearted exchange between Gandhi and young citizens earlier this month. During an “Ask Me Anything” session on Instagram, a participant asked him whether he was Batman.
Dikshit then brought Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni into the exchange, turning the political jibe into a remark that critics described as crude and inappropriate.
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and Union Minister J.P. Nadda said the government had agreed to an Opposition demand for a discussion and that Home Minister Amit Shah was prepared to respond in the House.
Rahul Gandhi said Amit Shah would be responsible if he had ordered the alleged firing, while a failure to know about the action would amount to incompetence.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra today said that the Parliament deadlock will continue until Shah makes a statement.
The proposed changes could increase the number of Lok Sabha seats. The timing of delimitation will decide when the 33% quota can take effect.
Despite political claims, large posters and the extensive use of promotional tools, the event failed to create the political impact that had been anticipated. Owing to the absence of a solid grassroots strategy, clear direction, and effective leadership, the programme remained an ordinary formal interaction rather than a challenge to the political stronghold of the Yogi government.
BJP national spokesperson Guru Prakash challenged Gandhi to compare the average unemployment rate during the 10 years of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government with that under the NDA, saying the "truth will become crystal clear".
Gandhi had posted the video a day earlier, using the Hindi phrase, "daal mein kuchh kaala hai, magar yahan puri daal hi kaali hai", to suggest that the issue went beyond an isolated problem.
Speaking at the 15th anniversary celebrations of India’s International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) in Mumbai, Tharoor said the Congress had taken up concerns similar to those that later became central to the CJP-led agitation.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that the opposition will take up the E20 issue in a massive way because it is damaging people’s cars and scooters and their lives and is, quite literally, stealing money directly out of their pockets.
The minister pressed the case that if the Opposition threw its weight behind an early reintroduction of the bill, it would pave the way for a quicker rollout of women's reservation in legislatures.
Rahul Gandhi had earlier called upon political parties across the country, particularly those in Tamil Nadu, to unite against the Centre’s proposed delimitation exercise.
Gandhi alleged that students and protesters were "brutalised" on the streets of Delhi and claimed he had seen medical certificates from AIIMS documenting injuries. He also alleged that police personnel assaulted minors and accused the Bajrang Dal of being mobilised to intimidate students.
LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Narendra Modi government over alleged police action during the July 20 student protests. However, his remarks drew sharp rebuttal from the BJP leaders.
The University of Delhi had earlier issued an advisory urging students and faculty members to avoid participating in "unlawful assemblies or demonstrations" at Jantar Mantar, citing legal restrictions and concerns over safety.