10 years of URI surgical strikes: Lt General Satish Dua decodes the gamechanger op

Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader MA Baby has reached out to non-NDA parties, including the Trinamool Congress, seeking wider opposition cooperation. Speaking on his conversation with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, he said: "INDIA bloc is important, but it has to be INDIA bloc plus." The initiative seeks to bring together parties outside the National Democratic Alliance on national issues, despite decades of regional rivalry between the Left and the Trinamool Congress in Bengal.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party, alleging that the ruling party is protecting the Election Commissioner while also shielding its own leadership. She stated that it is practically impossible for the Election Commission to indulge in serious illegalities without the full support of the BJP leadership. Addressing the media, she asserted that the INDIA alliance is in complete agreement that the ongoing actions are anti-constitutional and illegal, calling for the removal of legal safeguards provided to the Election Commissioner and demanding a trial for treason. Meanwhile, the Congress party has intensified protests on the ground and across social media, with opposition parties scheduled to convene to decide their upcoming roadmap.

A political war of words has escalated between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party over defending the Election Commission. The controversy deepened following questions raised over institutional transparency, with the Congress asking why the ruling party is attempting to defend the poll watchdog instead of allowing the commission to address queries directly before the country. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party responded by stating that the opposition needs concrete proof before levelling allegations against constitutional institutions, pointing out that questions are only raised after electoral defeats. The row has triggered widespread debate across Karnataka's political sphere.

The Bharatiya Janata Party defended the Election Commission of India following allegations raised by opposition parties regarding the Special Intensive Revision and reported internal disagreements. The ruling party maintained that decisions taken by the poll watchdog were unanimous and had the consensus of all three Election Commissioners as required by law. It asserted that deliberations and discussions within the institution reflect democratic functioning rather than dissent. The party accused the opposition of directing its anguish over electoral defeat at the poll body without providing concrete proof. Meanwhile, political focus turns toward an upcoming opposition bloc meeting scheduled for 30 September.