Row Over Kharge's Remark On PM Modi; BJP Protests Across India While Congress Hits Back

A political war of words between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party has escalated onto social media following Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's remark directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After Maharashtra Congress shared a post endorsing the statement, the BJP countered with its own post. Senior Congress leaders, including Pawan Khera, Imran Masood, and Bhupesh Baghel, have defended the party chief, remaining unfazed by criticism and accusing the BJP of degrading public discourse in past remarks targeting Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi.

The Election Commission has submitted an affidavit before the Supreme Court addressing allegations regarding the Special Intensive Revision process, affirming that decisions were taken unanimously across all orders. The poll panel clarified that statutory voter registration provisions and Form 6 were not amended, noting that an additional declaration caused interface confusion and maintaining that no entries were altered without an Electoral Registration Officer order. It also affirmed that technical systems are vetted by premier academic institutions. The opposition has contested the response, questioning whether all internal concerns were formally resolved, demanding disclosure of the complete administrative paper trail, and organising a demonstration in the national capital over alleged voter deletions. Concurrently, the ruling party has planned nationwide counter-marches across several cities to oppose the demonstration. Delhi trading associations have also raised concerns over potential commercial disruptions in the market ahead of the planned demonstrations.

The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Karnataka is facing intense scrutiny following the submission of 61,059 Form 7 deletion applications by election officials without mentioning mandatory reasons. These proposed deletions follow the removal of over 1.07 crore voters during the enumeration phase. Data also reveals that more than 1.28 lakh Form 7 deletion applications were filed prior to the exercise, including nearly 46,000 requests submitted by third parties and concentrated in North Karnataka constituencies. While the Congress has questioned the legality of the pre-revision deletions and sought an investigation, the BJP has defended the process as constitutional and procedurally sound.

India's eastern coast is on high alert as Cyclone Arnab intensifies over the Bay of Bengal, with landfall expected near the Andhra Pradesh coast during the forenoon of 28 October 2026. The India Meteorological Department warned of maximum sustained wind speeds reaching 115 to 125 kilometres per hour, gusting up to 140 kilometres per hour, alongside waves rising above 14 metres. In response, fifteen NDRF teams, along with the Navy and Coast Guard, have been mobilised, while flood-prone regions are being evacuated. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu reviewed preparedness and released 27 crore rupees for response operations. Officials have been directed to issue regular alerts, prepare reservoirs for floodwaters, and ensure uninterrupted power and essential supplies.