Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh: Temple town

A party meeting saw high-level friction resurface after the party president questioned whether an MP would physically attend an event suggested for Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary or remain visible only on social media platforms. The incident follows previous remarks targeting leaders who write newspaper articles and appear on television rather than taking up party issues. Discussion highlighted ongoing differences over divergent public stances, including past praise for the Prime Minister's foreign policy, which has caused discomfort within the leadership.

Internal details from the Congress Working Committee meeting reveal significant political deliberations surrounding the electoral process and the Chief Election Commissioner. The meeting, which lasted around two and a half hours, saw leaders address alleged malpractices in the voter roll and the Special Intensive Revision exercise. Demands emerged seeking the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Ganesh Kumar, the scrapping of the exercise, and the revocation of the decision striking off voters. Discussions also addressed broader political accountability, with calls in the resolution concerning the Union government leadership. Party leaders stressed intensifying street agitations independently before broadening outreach across the opposition INDIA bloc. Meanwhile, alliance dynamics were touched upon, noting that Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav conveyed inability to attend an upcoming opposition bloc meeting in person due to Rajya Sabha election preparations and would send a representative instead.

A political row has intensified over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls ahead of a key opposition INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi. Following its Working Committee meeting, the Congress listed five key demands, seeking transparency in poll data, an inquiry into lapses, and making voter list changes public. The Congress accused the central government of compromising democratic institutions and demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi visited Delhi's Yamuna bank, alleging that over 700 residents had been removed from electoral rolls, leaving only one registered name. The Election Commission rejected the allegations, stating that agricultural activities in the area ceased in 2021 and dwelling units were demolished in 2022-23, meaning booth level officers found no residents during verification. Meanwhile, the opposition bloc prepares to formulate a joint strategy on the issue, even as Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav stays away.

A road inspection in Delhi sparked a political confrontation between the Aam Aadmi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party after Delhi Public Works Department Minister Parvesh Verma was seen slapping party volunteer Sahib Singh during an argument over a newly laid road. Aam Aadmi Party leaders and workers gathered near Delhi Police headquarters along Ashoka Road to stage a protest demanding an FIR against the minister. Delhi Police detained several party members, including Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj and Tilak Nagar MLA Jarnail Singh, citing lack of permission for demonstrations at the site. While an NCR was filed against the minister for non-cognisable hurt, Delhi Police registered FIRs against Jarnail Singh and Sahib Singh following complaints of obstructing government servants and an alleged scuffle with a police head constable. Police officials stated that the minister's actions did not involve grievous injury mandating an FIR, while obstructing officials in the execution of their duty constitutes a cognisable offence.