West Bengal polls: All eyes on Nandigram battle

The Bharatiya Janata Party has launched nationwide padayatras to counter the narrative built by the opposition INDIA bloc. In Hyderabad, Union Home Minister Amit Shah led the foot march, while another mega padayatra was held simultaneously in Kolkata. BJP supporters turned out in large numbers for the march named 'Loktantra Bachao, Rajakta Hatao', spanning two kilometres from College Street to Esplanade. The demonstration marks the party's widespread ground-level outreach across various states, standing in contrast to opposition rallies concentrated in the national capital.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spearheaded the Bharatiya Janata Party's nationwide 'Loktantra Bachao, Rajakta Hatao' padayatra in Hyderabad. Preceding the march, he offered prayers at the Bhagyalakshmi Temple located near Charminar. The one-kilometre rally commenced from the Abids State Bank of India crossroads near Nizam College ground, advancing towards Mozamjahi Market, where Shah was scheduled to address a massive public assembly. The initiative serves as a direct political counter to the opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance's demonstrations and 'Vote Chori' allegations following their Ramlila Maidan gathering. Massive security arrangements and traffic diversions were enforced as thousands of party workers assembled along the 100-foot route, which featured cultural displays including Telangana's traditional Bonalu and Bathukamma representations. Senior BJP leaders across several states are spearheading simultaneous marches, demonstrating street-level mobilization against the opposition's campaign.

Reports indicate that the Securities and Exchange Board of India has recommended scrapping the 12.5% long-term capital gains tax for foreign investors to encourage equity inflows and counter recent capital outflows. SEBI has also proposed tax relief for domestic mutual fund investors switching schemes after holding units for over a year. Meanwhile, Indian equity benchmarks witnessed a sharp rally, led by Reliance Industries surging over 9% and adding more than 1.2 lakh crore rupees to its market capitalization following strong quarterly earnings. Automobile manufacturers, including Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai, recorded robust October monthly sales, boosting sectoral stocks ahead of Dhanteras and Diwali. In commodities, gold and silver saw price corrections amid shifting demand. Separately, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation canceled the import registration for South Korean cosmetic brand FatX over misleading therapeutic claims, intensifying scrutiny across imported beauty products.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Hyderabad to lead the local leg of the Bharatiya Janata Party's nationwide pad yatra, titled 'Loktantra Bachao Anarchy Hatao Yatra'. The foot march, scheduled from opposite the Nizam College grounds to Mozamjahi Market, serves as a counter-campaign against protests led by the Congress party and the opposition INDIA bloc concerning electoral rolls and allegations of vote chori. Prior to the rally, the Home Minister offered prayers at the Bhagyalakshmi Temple near Charminar and held meetings in the city. The yatra drew extensive crowds and party cadres along the route decked with security barricades and cultural performances. Party supporters gathered near Mozamjahi Market, where Amit Shah is set to address a public gathering to respond to opposition allegations and project the party's presence in Congress-ruled Telangana.