Nara Lokesh: 'Education System Has To Be Realigned'

In an interview with India Today, Congress General Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Syed Naseer Hussain addressed the INDIA bloc's planned protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Responding to questions regarding alliance cohesion following the absence of key parties like DMK and AAP from recent meetings, Hussain asserted that opposition parties remain united against what he termed manipulations of the electoral process, stating, "They want the CEC to go." Addressing concerns over whether the INDIA bloc is driven entirely by Congress and Rahul Gandhi, Hussain maintained that leadership in both Houses naturally guides parliamentary strategy, while decisions remain collective. Refuting claims that the alliance convenes only during crises or lacks ideological foundation, Hussain emphasized, "It's an alliance of conviction," noting regular coordination among parties. He further stated that diverse sections of society, including youth, students, and farmers, are voicing strong dissatisfaction with the central government's policies and democratic track record.

A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain inside the cockpit, causing the Boeing aircraft to drop thousands of feet before crew members and off-duty pilots subdued the attacker.

A televised political debate examined the INDIA bloc's campaign on democracy and electoral integrity, alongside internal seat-sharing frictions ahead of upcoming elections. Bharatiya Janata Party national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari accused the alliance of double standards and factionalism, asserting: 'This is not opposition saving democracy. This is opposition attempting to save Parivarvadh.' He cited previous criticisms exchanged among opposition leaders and highlighted Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav skipping an alliance gathering. Congress national spokesperson Dr. Pooja Tripathi countered that democratic institutions, particularly the Election Commission, are compromised and insisted the opposition remains unified on fundamental issues. Political analysts Shantanu Gupta and Rashid Kidwai evaluated the complex ground realities in Uttar Pradesh, discussing vote-bank overlaps between the Samajwadi Party and Congress, competing seat expectations, and the structural limitations of national electoral coalitions during state-level contests.

In an interview with India Today, former Director General of Punjab Police Shashi Kant addressed the pervasive crisis of narcotics trafficking in Punjab and the systemic challenges obstructing its eradication. Highlighting the monetary networks driving the trade, Kant noted, 'No political party in Punjab was or is sincere about this particular crisis because of the drug money.' He recounted how the illicit trade evolved from earlier smuggling networks into a lucrative nexus patronized by cartels and political interests. Pointing out that various government departments must work together across healthcare, employment, and rehabilitation, Kant expressed skepticism regarding deadlines set by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to eliminate drugs by 2029, emphasizing that rhetoric cannot substitute for a concrete, multi-departmental blueprint. He called for a time-bound national strategy capable of tackling both external supply routes from Pakistan and the internal nexus sustaining addiction across the state.