Delhi Jantar Mantar Stir: 15 Cops Injured, 110 Detained During Clashes

As Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav distances himself from smaller political parties in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress party is stepping in to build smaller coalitions. Leaders from several smaller parties, including Swami Prasad Maurya, Sanjay Chauhan, and Bhagidari Morcha founder Pankaj Niranjan, have held meetings with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The outreach comes as Congress demands an equal share of seats in its alliance with the Samajwadi Party. Reports indicate that these smaller regional outfits, which previously allied with the Samajwadi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party, are engaging with Congress to strengthen their bargaining position.

A major political controversy has erupted following remarks by Mallikarjun Kharge claiming elections were rigged and calling polls illegal. Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju hit back at the Congress chief, questioning whether Rahul Gandhi and various state chief ministers were also illegal and demanding an end to insulting the Constitution. The Bharatiya Janata Party heavily criticised the Congress leadership, alleging that consecutive electoral losses have affected the party's balance and led to attacks on democratic institutions, including the Election Commission.

Questions have been raised regarding India's current foreign policy and approach towards neighbouring nations, particularly Pakistan and China. Critical remarks highlighted that while India maintains the stance that this is not an era of war, engagements with Pakistan contradict this position due to the absence of dialogue and diplomacy. Concerns were also raised over India's participation in the Quad alliance, noting that joining it has annoyed China while its relevance continues to be questioned by the United States. The policy approach was described as reactive, transactional, and lacking strategic autonomy, sparking expectations of sharp political reactions.

A political dispute has surfaced within the Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections over seat-sharing arrangements. Uttar Pradesh Congress in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam asserted that Congress must receive equal respect and an equal share, stating, "Idea of India Congress ka aur jitna bhi aap modern India dekh rahe hain wo Congress ki den hai." While Congress is pushing for 200 assembly seats, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has maintained that seat distribution should follow a winnability formula focused solely on defeating the BJP.