India Political Highlights: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar says he had no role in Ram Rahim's parole

New Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge set up a 47-member Steering Committee to run party affairs till a new CWC is put in place. Meanwhile, Kejriwal's demand of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha on currency notes drew ire from BJP and Congress. Elsewhere, BJP also called for a dawn-to-dusk bandh on October 31, in Coimbatore District over the car bomb. Track DH for all the political highlights!

Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar says he had no role in Ram Rahim's parole

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday said he had no role in the parole granted to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh as jails have their own rules.

Ram Rahim, who is serving a 20-year jail term for raping two women disciples at his ashram in Sirsa, was granted parole for 40 days last week.(PTI)

After failing at 'competitive populism', Kejriwal now trying 'competitive Hindutva': Punjab Cong chief

Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Wednesday accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of resorting to “competitive Hindutva” to outwit the Bharatiya Janata Party in Gujarat.

He was reacting to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo's statement in which Kejriwal appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to have images of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi on currency notes.(PTI)

BJP, Hindu outfits call for dawn-to-dusk bandh in Coimbatore on October 31 over car blast

BJP and some of the Hindu outfits have called for a 12-hour bandh in Coimbatore District on October 31 over the car explosion. The city, which witnessed serial blasts in 1998, was saved from major disaster as the gas cylinder in the car exploded before the target, BJP leader C P Radhakrishnan said.(PTI)

2-day JD(S) national executive meet begins from October 27

A two-day national executive meet and national council meet of the Janata Dal (Secular) would take place in the party head office JP Bhavan here from Thursday, former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy said on Wednesday. The office-bearers and executive committee members of the party from 13 States would participate in the meeting.(PTI)

Sonia Gandhi stepping down as Congress president 'emotional moment' for all partymen: Gehlot

Terming Sonia Gandhi's guidance as invaluable for the Congress party, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday said the change of guard is an emotional moment for all partymen.

Eight years of BJP rule in Haryana mired by scams, rise in crime: Congress

Eight years of the Manohar Lal Khattar government in Haryana have been mired by scams and a rise in crime and unemployment, the Opposition Congress claimed on Wednesday.

Launching an all-out attack on the state’s BJP-led government, former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda claimed that it failed to give farmers the minimum support price for crops, employment to the youth, pension to the elderly, stipend to children, relief to traders and security to people.(PTI)

Suella Braverman in British Cabinet concerning: Congress MP Anand Sharma

My govt is inclusive, committed to Maharashtra's all-round development, says CM Shinde

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday said his government was committed to all-round development of the state and after taking charge three months ago, he has taken welfare measures for various sections of the society, including farmers and senior citizens.

In a video message greeting people on the occasion of Diwali, he said agriculture, irrigation, education and infrastructure sectors are being given priority by the state government, which was inclusive in nature.(PTI)

Shah-Mamata discussions likely during November 5 Eastern Zonal Council meet

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to have discussions with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during the Eastern Zonal Council meeting scheduled to be held on November 5, a senior official said on Wednesday.

Apart from Banerjee, Shah is also likely to meet the chief ministers of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Sikkim on the same day and discuss several issues, including those regarding inter-state boundaries, he said.(PTI)

Kejriwal to visit Ghazipur landfill site Thursday, alleges BJP built 3 garbage mountains in 15 years

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Wednesday accused the BJP, which ruled the three erstwhile municipal corporations in Delhi, of doing nothing other than creating three garbage mountains and filling the city with waste.(PTI)

Modi like avatar of god: Uttar Pradesh MLA Gulab Devi

Uttar Pradesh minister Gulab Devi on Wednesday said PM Narendra Modi is like an incarnation of god and he can remain in his post as long as he wishes.

"Modiji is like an avatar. He is a person of extraordinary talent. No one can compete with them. If he wishes, he can remain the prime minister till he is alive," the Chandausi MLA told reporters after a programme.(PTI)

Kharge sets up 47-member Steering Committee to run party affairs till a new CWC is put in place

We don't do politics of hate, we build schools, hospitals: Bhagwant Mann in Adampur

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann here on Wednesday claimed that the Aam Aadmi Party does not indulge in politics of hate but talks of development and building schools and hospitals.

He said this talking to reporters while campaigning for his party candidate in the Adampur bypolls.(PTI)

Cong discusses candidates for upcoming Gujarat assembly polls at CEC meet

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the party's central election committee (CEC) and discussed the probable candidates for upcoming Gujarat assembly elections. This is the first meeting chaired by Kharge after assuming the new charge earlier in the day.(PTI)

Prashant Kishor hints that he is being aided by former clients

Political strategist-turned-activist Prashant Kishor on Thursday hinted that he was receiving financial assistance for his 'Jan Suraaj campaign' in Bihar from his former clients, many of whom were now chief ministers of their respective states.

Kishor has been on a 'padayatra' since October 2 and intends to cover 3,500 km on foot, touching every nook and corner of his home state before his campaign evolves into a full-fledged political party.(PTI)

ABVP stages sit-in to demand withdrawal of J-K university bill

The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad on Wednesday staged a demonstration to demand the withdrawal of the Jammu Kashmir Public University Bill, 2022, that, it claimed, eroded the autonomy of universities in the Union Territory.

The administrative council led by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha recently approved the bill.(PTI)

Did CM Shinde celebrate Diwali with police in Gadchiroli for publicity, asks NCP

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Wednesday asked Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde if he celebrated Diwali with police in Naxalite-affected Gadchiroli district for the sake of publicity. Shinde on Tuesday visited Bhamragad in the eastern Maharashtra district and celebrated Diwali with police personnel.(PTI)

BJP's Sambit Patra accuses BJD of violating Model Code of Conduct in Odisha by-polls

Partha's case different from that of Anubrata; cash seizure embarrassing: TMC MP

TMC MP Sougata Roy on Wednesday sought to justify the party's different reactions to the arrests of its leaders Partha Chatterjee and Anubrata Mondal in separate scams, asserting that the seizure of a large amount of cash was embarrassing for the ruling party in West Bengal.

While stressing that the Trinamool Congress has zero tolerance for corruption, Roy said the two cases are not the same.(PTI)

BJP conspiring to shut AAP govt's 'Delhi ki Yogshala' programme: Dy CM Sisodia

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday accused the BJP of "conspiring" to shut the AAP government's 'Delhi ki Yogshala' programme by pressuring officials. He said Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has given his nod to continue the initiative and has sent the file to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena for approval.

Government sources had on Tuesday said Sisodia has sought an explanation from the secretary of the directorate of training and technical education for allegedly trying to "discontinue" the 'Dilli Ki Yogshala' programme.(PTI)

After VCs, Kerala Governor seeks removal of state Finance Minister

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Wednesday sought the removal of Finance Minister K N Balagopal, accusing him of violation of oath.

The Governor wrote to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informing him that he has "ceased to enjoy pleasure" in Finance Minister K N Balagopal, indicating his withdrawal from the state cabinet.

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Why is BJP resisting if Kejriwal is suggesting putting images of gods on currency notes, asks Sanjay Singh

Their (AAP) minister, Gujarat chief & leaders have abused Hindu gods & said many things & yet, they are in the party. They're bringing new tactics to save face in polls. Those who objected to Ram Mandir have come with a new mask: BJP MP Manoj Tiwari

Opposition slams Kejriwal for his latest roposal, here's what leaders said:

Kejriwal recently issued a fatwa banning crackers in Delhi. He is an anti-Hindu bigot. His promises and pronouncements are meant to distract from governance failure in Delhi and Punjab: Amit Malviya

AAP leader Atishi backs Kejriwal, asks why BJP leaders have problem with what Kejriwal proposed

BJP continues attack against Kejriwal

Kejriwal mocked film on Kashmiri Pandits, now trying to be overly Hindu: BJP's Sambit Patra

Sisodia backs kejriwal on having Ganesha, Lakshmi on currency notes

All the CWC Members, AICC General Secretaries and Incharges have tendered their resignation to Congress President," tweets Congress MP KC Venugopal

Now just to break his Aurangzeb image Kejriwal trying to become Hindu: BJP's Tajinder Bagga

Congress is the only party with internal democracy: Sonia Gandhi

'They want to replace Babasaheb's Constitution with that of the Sangh, Congress will not let that happen,' Kharge tells Congress workers

They want a Congress-mukt Bharat because COngress will not allow their plans to come to fruition: Kharge's jibe to BJP-RSS

BJP, RSS want an Opposition-free India. they talk about New India but what India is this where youth don't have jobs, are facing hunger, pollution, inflation: Kharge

We will enforce the Udaipur Declaration and fill in the posts and committees as soon as possible: Kharge

Kharge hails Rahul Gandhi who has embarked on the Yatra.

I have seen all the difficulties which every party worker faces: Kharge

I wish to see a woman with hijab as the Prime Minister of India: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi

I appeal to the central govt & the PM to put the photo of Shri Ganesh Ji & Shri Laxmi Ji, along with Gandhi Ji's photo on our fresh currency notes, says Delhi CM & AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal

A look at Congress Presidents over the years

This is a very emotional moment for me. Today a common worker from the party has become the President of a national party: Kharge

Kharge addresses the party as the Congress President

Kharge was handed over the certificate of election as the Congress president by the party's central election authority chairman Madhusudan Mistry.

Mistry said he hopes other parties will draw a lesson from the Congress and hold polls for party presidency by secret ballot.

Outgoing Congress president Sonia Gandhi, former chief Rahul Gandhi and AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were also present at the event which was attended by several top party leaders.

I will remember the tributes and love showered on me till my last breath. But these tributes are also a big responsibility. I am relieved that this big burden on my shoulder has been eased: Sonia Gandhi

This responsibility has weighed on me, and I have tried to carry it out to the best of my abilities. Now Kharge ji will shoulder the weight of this responsibility: Sonia Gandhi

I am very happy, the most satisfaction is that the president whom you have chosen at your own discretion, he is an experienced leader, a leader connected to the earth, has reached this height from an ordinary worker with his hard work and dedication: Sonia Gandhi

'I am grateful, but mostly, I feel relieved,' Sonia addresses Congress workers

Ashok Gehlot, other senior leaders, Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar, G Parameshwara, KJ George attend the ceremony

Congress welcomes Kharge as President, hails Sonia Gandhi as hardworking leader who will be missed as party chief: KC Venugopal

Sonia Gandhi hands over Congress baton to President Mallikarjun Kharge

Mallikarjun Kharge to be presented certificate of election

Priyanka Gandhi at the Congress Headquarters

Shashi Tharoor arrives at INC HQ

Today Smt Sonia Gandhi ji would be relinquishing her office as Indian National Congress President. She has always been an inspiration to all of us: Digvijaya Singh

Infographic | Congress presidents over the years

Congress headquarters in Delhi is witnessing hectic preparations for the ceremony where Sonia Gandhi will hand over the party president's baton to Mallikarjun Kharge.

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Mallikarjun Kharge to take charge as Congress President shortly

Kharge will today take the charge as national president of the Congress party.

Congress President-elect Mallikarjun Kharge pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat