Lok Sabha polls: Can Congress hold on to its last citadel in UP? Rajdeep Sardesai tracks the mood of voters

A special report from Lovely Professional University reveals extensive unrest following student agitation, violence, and arson that resulted in damaged police vehicles. ADG Law and Order stated that the situation remains under control after clashes occurred between police forces and students near the main gate. Responding to allegations of police lathi charges and delays in de-escalating tension, the officer stated that police observed restraint and officers spent forty-eight hours negotiating alongside senior district officials. Authorities are currently reviewing video recordings to identify instigators and ascertain the presence of outside elements among the protesting crowds. Meanwhile, the university has suspended academic classes for ten days, prompting students to vacate the campus hostels. Several students voiced concerns over disrupted mid-term examinations and claimed external persons escalated the destruction.

Congress workers and leaders staged demonstrations outside the Pradesh Congress headquarters in Srinagar as part of nationwide protests against Ganesh Kumar and the Bharatiya Janata Party. Protesters burned an effigy of Ganesh Kumar, carried posters alleging vote theft by the BJP, and demanded his immediate resignation. Security forces and police equipped with riot gear and concertina wire barricaded the march to prevent demonstrators from advancing further. Between 200 and 300 Congress workers participated in the protest, with similar rallies reported across district headquarters in the Kashmir Valley. Protests were also held inside the assembly in Srinagar, where Congress legislators held banners demanding Ganesh Kumar step down from his position.

The Congress party, alongside Left organisations, launched extensive protests across several cities including Jaipur, Patna, Srinagar, and New Delhi, demanding the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. In Jaipur, police deployed water cannons and erected barricades to prevent Congress demonstrators from marching towards the state secretariat and the Election Commission office. In Patna, Left affiliated groups clashed with security forces at Dak Bungalow roundabout while seeking to march towards the Chief Minister's residence, prompting the use of water cannons. In New Delhi, Indian Youth Congress workers were stopped by police and paramilitary barricades along Raisina Road during their march towards the Election Commission headquarters. Protesters accused the Election Commission of compromising institutional integrity and functioning at the behest of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. While Bharatiya Janata Party leaders defended the poll panel and dismissed the opposition's charges as baseless, opposition leaders pledged to intensify their nationwide agitation.

The central government's Namo Drone Didi scheme, supported by the Uttar Pradesh government, is empowering rural women and transforming farming. Beneficiaries like Neetu, who formerly sprayed pesticides by hand, now operate drones and earn 50,000 to 60,000 rupees monthly. Women's self-help groups receive up to an 80% subsidy on drone purchases along with 15 days of training. Uttar Pradesh now ranks second nationally in trained drone Didis. A single drone team can spray fertilizers across 20 acres daily, condensing days of manual labour into hours. In Phoolpur, Prayagraj, 90 women trained together and now earn by renting drone services to local farmers.