India Political Highlights: BJP should show transparency and reveal agenda of special Parliament session, says Cong leader Gaurav Gogoi

BJP made mistake of coining 'India Shining' slogan in 2004 and lost, same fate awaits I.N.D.I.A bloc: Rajnath Singh

"We, during the prime ministership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had made a mistake by coining the 'India Shining' slogan but lost the (2004) polls. We realized our mistake. The I.N.D.I.A bloc will meet the same fate," Singh said at a public meeting in MP.

Read more

Jalpaiguri, West Bengal: Voting for Dhupguri Assembly by-polls to begin shortly

Jharkhand: Voting for Dumri Assembly by-polls underway

Kerala: Voting for Puthupally Assembly by-polls underway

CPI(M), Congress locked in fierce battle for Kerala's Puthupally constituency

he ruling CPI (M) and the opposition Congress are locked in a fierce battle for the assembly seat representing this constituency that fell vacant after the demise of Congress stalwart and former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. Chandy represented the constituency in Kottayam district for more than five decades without any break until his demise on July 18 this year. 

Tripura: Voting in Dhanpur Assembly elections under way

Voting for bypoll to Dhupguri constituency in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district under way amid elaborate security arrangements

Tripura bypolls to witness direct contest between BJP & CPI(M)

Congress and Tipra Motha, the two main opposition parties in the state are to not field candidates in the two Assembly seats inorder to prevent division of vote share.

BJP is using governance and administration to tarnish the democracy, but people are in favour of I.N.D.I.A: Congress leader Surendra Rajput

People have given their blessings to 'Lotus', BJP to sweep Ghosi bypoll, says UP Deputy CM

Over 17% cast votes in first two hours in Bengal's Dhupguri assembly seat

Tripura bypoll: 18.71 per cent voter turnout recorded in first two hours in two assembly seats

An average voter turnout of 18.71 per cent was recorded in the first two hours of polling on Tuesday in the by-elections to Dhanpur and Boxanagar assembly seats in Tripura's Sepahijala district, an EC official said.

Polling began at 7 a.m. in 59 booths in Dhanpur assembly constituency and 51 in Boxanagar, and is scheduled to continue till 4 pm.

UDF’s Congress candidate Chandy Oommen casts vote for Puthuppally bypolls

Uttarakhand: 10.13 per cent polling in Bageshwar assembly by-election till 9 am

Over 10 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the first two hours of polling for the Bageshwar Assembly by-election in Uttarakhand which began at 7 am on Tuesday. Voting is slated to go on till 5 pm. There are approximately 1.2 lakh voters in the constituency.

UP's Ghosi assembly bypoll: 9.12 per cent votes cast in first two hours

Over nine per cent of the electorate in Uttar Pradesh's Ghosi Assembly constituency cast their votes in the first two hours of polling for the by-election on Tuesday, the first electoral showdown in Uttar Pradesh after the formation of the opposition INDIA bloc. Voting began at 7 am and is being held at 455 polling stations. It is slated to conclude at 6 pm.

J'khand: Over 27% voter turnout till 11 am in Dumri assembly bypoll

Over 27 per cent of 2.98 lakh voters exercised their franchise till 9 a.m. on Tuesday in the by-election to Dumri assembly seat in Jharkhand, an official said.

The polling is underway peacefully across the constituency, and the turnout was 27.56 per cent after the first four hours of voting, he said.

Bengal bypoll: Over 34% votes cast till 11 am in Dhupguri assembly seat

More than 34 per cent voting was recorded in the by-election to Dhupguri assembly seat in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district till 11 am , an official said. Polling began amid tight security at 7 am across 260 booths in the constituency, he said. “At the moment, polling is absolutely peaceful. Tight security measures are in place and there is an adequate number of forces,” the Election Commission official told PTI.

Big turnout in Puthuppally Assembly bypoll in Kerala despite on and off rains

Brisk voting took place in the by-election for the Puthuppally assembly constituency in Kerala's Kottayam district in the first half of Tuesday as intermittent rainfall did not deter voters from exercising their franchise. With men, women and youngsters queuing up early to cast their votes, polling opened at 7 am to decide whether the opposition UDF would retain the seat held by Congress stalwart and late Kerala CM Oommen Chandy for 53 years, or LDF would attain the figure of 100 in the state assembly.

UP's Ghosi assembly bypoll: 33.52% votes cast till 1 pm

Over 33 per cent of the electorate in Uttar Pradesh's Ghosi Assembly constituency cast their votes till 1 pm for the by-election on Tuesday, the first electoral showdown in Uttar Pradesh after the formation of the opposition INDIA bloc.

Voting began at 7 am and is being held at 455 polling stations. It is slated to conclude at 6 pm.

Bengal bypoll: 51% votes cast till 1 pm in Dhupguri assembly seat

Around 51 per cent of voting was recorded in the by-election to the Dhupguri assembly seat in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district till 1 pm, an official said. Polling began amid tight security at 7 am across 260 booths in the constituency, he said.

BJP is scared of I.N.D.I.A alliance. Further, it is mentioned in our Constitution 'India, that is Bharat', says Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar amid debate over 'India' and 'Bharat' words in the Constitution.

Those who do not have their own history are attempting to create fake history, says Congress leader Digvijaya Singh amid debate over 'India' and 'Bharat' words in the Constitution.

We are working for India and Bharat, while BJP is working for India vs Bharat, says Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi

What suddenly happened that India needs to be called only Bharat, asks Mamata

Asserting that India is Bharat, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday questioned what suddenly happened that the country should be called only Bharat. Referring to the controversy over a G20 dinner invite in the name of 'President of Bharat', she said the world knows the country as India.

No matter how many guarantees or 'Yatras' Congress or Kamal Nath ji take out, their 'Mohabbat Ki Dukan' only has 'Nafrat Ka Saman'," says Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia

BJP is scared and utterly terrified that's why they want to change the name of our country but what will it change for the common man, says DMK leader Saravanan Annadurai amid debate over 'India' and 'Bharat' words in the Constitution.

The reality is that the PM is absolutely scared & frightened of I.N.D.I.A, which is why in his bid to counter us, he is willing to change the name of our country. Who changes the name of their motherland? asks Congress leader Supriya Shrinate

Translation of country's name cannot happen. Can you translate the names of China, Russia, America? Bharat is Bharat, I don't know why some people are making an issue of a name given by the British, says BJP MP Manoj Tiwari on debate over 'India' and 'Bharat'

The name change is happening because BJP is rattled by the I.N.D.I.A alliance. This also shows their intention to disrespect the Constitution, says Jharkhand Congress leader Rajesh Thakur

It is clearly mentioned in our Constitution - 'India that is Bharat'. The name Bharat is not new. Our country was Bharat, is Bharat and will always remain Bharat, says Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

This name is given by our ancestors. In 'Vishnupuran' it is written that the land in the North of the 'Samudra' and the south of the 'Himalayas' has the name 'Bharat', says Union Minister of State Meenakashi Lekhi

Congress focuses on minority appeasement, Modi govt on welfare of tribals, Dalits and poor, says Amit Shah

Since the day I.N.D.I.A named alliance was formed PM Modi's hatred toward the name India has increased. If they are so against the Britishers, then they should sacrifice the Rashtrapati Bhavan as it was the house of the viceroy, says Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

Udhayanidhi Stalin diverting people's attention with remark on Sanatan Dharma, says AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami

Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said on Tuesday and accused the ruling DMK of "enacting a drama to cover up its failures". Whenever the DMK faced problems it took up an issue to divert the people's attention, and Udhayanidhi's remarks can be seen as diverting the people's attention to conceal the deteriorating law and order, especially the increasing crimes, spiralling prices of commodities and other issues, he said.

BJP leader Dinesh Sharma poised to be elected unopposed from UP in Rajya Sabha bypoll

Tripura bypolls: 76 pc voter turnout recorded till 3 pm, 6 injured in stray violence

An average voter turnout of 76 per cent was recorded till 3 pm of polling in the by-elections to Dhanpur and Boxanagar assembly seats in Tripura's Sepahijala district on Tuesday, an official said. Voting began at 7 am in 59 booths in Dhanpur assembly constituency and 51 in Boxanagar and was scheduled to continue till 4 pm.

Police said six persons were injured when they were allegedly attacked by some villagers at Mohanbhog in Dhanpur Assembly constituency.

Congress Parliamentary Group meets to discuss issues for parliament’s special session at Sonia's residence

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and several other party MPs on Tuesday arrived at the residence of Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi for Parliamentary Strategy Group meeting, IANS reported.

WB by-poll: 75.82 pc votes cast till 5 pm in Dhupguri; outside BJP leaders found during polling

Around 76 per cent of 2.6 lakh eligible voters exercised their franchise in the by-election to the Dhupguri assembly seat in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district till 5 pm on Tuesday, an official said. Two BJP leaders including an MLA, who are not residents of the constituency, were found in a party office. One of them, the BJP district president, had to leave as he could not show any document allowing him entry into Dhupguri during the voting.

Case against social media page admin over cyber attacks against LDF candidate's wife

Kerala police on Tuesday registered a case against the administrator of a social media page for an alleged cyber attack against the wife of the LDF candidate in the Puthuppally assembly by-election. Manarcad police registered a case against the admin of a social media page for allegedly targeting LDF candidate Jaick C Thomas' wife Geethu.

We should respect each other's religion, says CM Arvind Kejriwal on DMK leader Udhayanidhi's remarks on Sanatan Dharma

Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is part of the Opposition bloc I.N.D.I.A that is being targeted by the BJP over the DMK leader's remarks. Delhi BJP leaders had also asked the AAP chief to clear his stand on the issue.

Read more

In the Parliamentary Strategic Committee, we discussed the important issues that the country is facing today like inflation, unemployment, Manipur and natural disaster in Himachal Pradesh. A special Session of Parliament has been called from September 18 but BJP itself is not able to tell what is the agenda of the session. This government is not transparent and responsible towards the country. Our principle is that there should be discussion in the House on the important issues of the country. Congress Party is ready to discuss and give suggestions on these issues," says Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi

Over 49 per cent polling till 5 pm in UP's Ghosi assembly bypoll

More than 49 per cent of the electorate in Uttar Pradesh's Ghosi assembly constituency cast their votes till 5 pm for the bypoll on Tuesday, the first electoral showdown in the state after the formation of the Opposition I.N.D.I.A bloc.

A meeting of I.N.D.I.A bloc floor leaders will be held at the residence of Mallikarjun Kharge where key issues will be discussed and finalised, after which we will raise them in the five-day special session of Parliament, says Congress Rajya Sabha MP Dr Syed Naseer Hussain after party's Parliamentary Committee meeting in Delhi.

Congress to take out rallies in all districts of Delhi on September 7 to mark 1st anniversary of Bharat Jodo Yatra

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with party leaders and supporters during the party's Bharat Jodo Yatra. 

Since ages, the name of this country has been 'Bharat' while the name 'India' was given by foreigners, says BJP leader Rahul Sinha amid debate over 'India' and 'Bharat' words in the Constitution

Shah urges people to bless BJP for winning over 150 seats in MP polls

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday urged people to give ‘ashirwad’ (blessings) to the ruling BJP so that it wins more than 150 seats in the upcoming assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh and form a "double-engine" government for ensuring the state’s development.

No one has right to change country’s name, says Sharad Pawar

Reacting sharply to the G20 Summit dinner invite referring to the President as "President of Bharat”, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar said that no one has the right to change the name of the country. Asked whether the name of India will be changed in the Constitution during the special session, Pawar, a former Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, said, "I don't have any information on it.”

To another question, Pawar replied, “I don't understand why the ruling party is perturbed over a name related to the country.”

Floor leaders of I.N.D.I.A alliance parties attend a meeting at Congress chief Kharge's residence in view of the five-day Parliament session to be held later this month.

We came to meet party president Mallikarjun Kharge and K C Venugopal and put forward the grievances of genuine Congress workers and how they are being sidelined, says Congress MP Randeep Surjewala

Stone pelting on BJP's Jan Ashirwad Yatra in Neemuch was reported earlier this evening

The government has not issued any clarification as to why the special session of Parliament has been convened. The BJP should show transparency and tell the agenda of the session. We, the I.N.D.I.A alliance parties, want a positive session, says Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi after meeting of floor leaders of I.N.D.I.A alliance parties at Congress chief Kharge's residence in Delhi

Have you ever seen such a government which does not have a dialogue with the opposition? I want to know the topic of this special session. Why have they called this session? asks Congress MP Pramod Tiwari

Parliament Session is going to meet on September 18-22. This is the first time wherein we have not received any agenda for the discussion. So, we, the Opposition parties, have decided to set an agenda for discussion, says DMK Leader TR Baalu after meeting of floor leaders of I.N.D.I.A alliance parties

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra posts on X official information on PM Modi's visit to Indonesia, referring to him as the 'Prime Minister of Bharat'

Congress has attacked the Yatra in a planned manner. The incident is unfortunate, Congress is worried after seeing the success of the Yatra and the public support. We will give a befitting reply to them, says Madhya Pradesh BJP chief V D Sharma on the incident of stone pelting on Jan Ashirwad Yatra in Neemuch earlier today

Opposition bloc I.N.D.I.A asks govt to spell out Parliament session's agenda and not keep country in dark

Sources said former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi will write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for early passage of the bill in the Lok Sabha during the upcoming session as the same has already been passed by the Rajya Sabha.

Read more