Akhilesh Yadav

The Ganga Expressway faced severe waterlogging following heavy rainfall in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh. Visuals from the expressway showed the exit toll plaza submerged under five to six feet of water, with several vehicles stranded and a truck breaking down on the service road after water entered its engine. The waterlogging impacted traffic movement significantly across the corridor. The incident also sparked political reactions, with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticising the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party over the expressway flooding. Ground reports highlighted engineering and drainage concerns, showing toll cabins inundated and operational staff forced to abandon their booths. Construction agencies deployed generators and excavators to dig trenches and pump out stagnant water.

On India First, anchored by Gaurav Sawant, political representatives and analysts debate opposition protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls. Congress national spokesperson Amitabh Dubey argues that the actions constitute an attack on the Constitution and democracy, citing internal dissent reports, lack of consultation, and maintaining that the opposition stands united on evidence-based allegations. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Siddharth Yadav counters the charges, stating formal dissents were never recorded when final decisions were reached, accusing the opposition of spreading unsubstantiated narratives, and challenging them to present proof before the courts rather than through press conferences. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party representative Abbas Haider questions the judicial immunity granted under the CEC Act and flags large-scale voter roll deletions. Political analyst Rajat Sethi weighs in on whether the disparate protests signify opposition disunity, state-level strategies, or issues that should be addressed through legal forums.

Massive protests led by the Indian Youth Congress and Congress state units broke out across multiple cities, including Delhi, Chandigarh, Patna, and Hyderabad, demanding the resignation and removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. In Chandigarh, police used water cannons against protesters, while youth workers marched towards the Election Commission office in Delhi before being stopped by barricades and paramilitary personnel. The demonstrations follow allegations raised by Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders concerning the functioning of the Election Commission of India and alleged centralization and manipulation of electoral rolls. While the opposition prepares strategy for street demonstrations and explores parliamentary steps including a potential impeachment motion, the Bharatiya Janata Party defended the poll body and dismissed allegations, asserting that electoral rolls are decentralized and accusing the opposition of making excuses for electoral setbacks.

Trinamool Congress Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra has filed a police complaint at the Parliament Police Station in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Ganesh Kumar. Speaking on the matter, Moitra alleged that decisions conveyed by the Election Commission were falsified by one individual without majority consent, arguing that statutory immunity under Section 16 of the CEC and EC Act 2023 does not apply. The Election Commission dismissed the allegations, asserting that unanimous decisions were taken. Meanwhile, opposition leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, and Akhilesh Yadav, have demanded the CEC's arrest, alleging irregularities in electoral rolls and calling for past elections to be declared null and void alongside holding fresh polls.

Four individuals, including Central Reserve Police Force personnel and local police personnel, have been arrested in Uttar Pradesh's Amroha following allegations of gang rape at a farmhouse. According to Amroha Superintendent of Police Lakhan Singh Yadav, a complaint was lodged by the survivor stating that she was lured under the pretext of visiting a religious site before being assaulted. The accused named in the case include CRPF personnel Mohit and Lalaram, alongside two others identified as Sanjay and Pramod. Following the complaint, police lodged a case and took all four accused into custody for detailed interrogation, with procedures underway to present them before the court. Action has also been initiated against local police officers for negligence, while the farmhouse where the incident took place is under scrutiny. Opposition leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, criticised the administration over the involvement of security personnel in the alleged crime.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar faces scrutiny following a media report highlighting objections raised by two Election Commissioners regarding the SIR exercise, changes to Form 6, and control over electoral data. Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal, Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, Uddhav Thackeray, and M.K. Stalin, demanded the removal or arrest of the poll chief and the scrapping of the process. In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party rejected the allegations, stating that the Supreme Court upheld the legal validity of the SIR process and that internal deliberations reflect a functioning democracy.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has faced strong criticism following an Indian Express report detailing internal objections raised by two Election Commissioners regarding the special intensive revision process. Key concerns highlight modifications made to Form 6, the centralization of electoral roll data, and restricted portal access for Electoral Registration Officers. In response, opposition parties have strongly condemned the developments, demanding legal accountability, the immediate removal of the Chief Election Commissioner, and fresh elections in multiple states. Leaders accused the poll authority of compromising democratic integrity. Conversely, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party defended the commission, asserting that divergent viewpoints during internal deliberations reflect democratic functioning rather than institutional compromise. The party maintained that the legal validity of the exercise has been upheld by the Supreme Court and dismissed opposition claims as politically motivated.

A report highlighting repeated objections from two election commissioners over voter roll revisions has triggered a political storm around the Election Commission of India. Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly raised 14 objections over 10 months concerning the Special Summary Revision exercise, modifications to voter registration Form 6, database centralisation, and digital access issues. Concerns also extended to voter roll processes in West Bengal and software glitches affecting eligible voters in Goa. Key questions surfaced over requirements for parents' and grandparents' details without formal rule amendments. The disclosures have drawn sharp reactions from opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, and Arvind Kejriwal, who demanded strict accountability and targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Rejecting allegations of an internal rift, the Election Commission maintained that internal dissenting notes and diverse viewpoints reflect routine checks and balances within statutory frameworks. The Bharatiya Janata Party defended the poll body, describing internal deliberations and differences of opinion as evidence of a functioning democracy.

The Election Commission of India has issued a press statement addressing reports of internal rifts and disagreements within the poll panel. Defending its functioning, the poll body stated that it operates as a multi-member constitutional body under Article 324 of the Constitution, statutory rules, and established conventions. It maintained that internal notes, observations, and divergent views are standard checks and balances aimed at improving the electoral process, ensuring legal compliance, and maintaining operational rigor. The commission emphasised that final orders, including those concerning the nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in states such as Bihar, West Bengal, and Delhi, are made unanimously after thorough deliberations by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners S.S. Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. Meanwhile, opposition parties, including the Congress, have mounted a political attack on the government following reports claiming that two election commissioners raised 14 objections over the past ten months, demanding accountability over the conduct of elections.

A political controversy erupted following allegations of internal dissent within the Election Commission of India. Objections were reportedly raised by Election Commissioners Vivek Joshi and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu regarding unilateral decisions, centralisation of voter software access away from Electoral Registration Officers, and procedural changes concerning Form 6. In response, opposition parties, including the Congress and Samajwadi Party, intensified criticism against the poll panel and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, signaling potential legal appeals before the Supreme Court ahead of upcoming state elections.

A mosque located within the Saharanpur District Magistrate collectorate complex in Uttar Pradesh has been demolished following a court order. The demolition drive was carried out early in the morning, leading to political reactions across parties. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi questioned the administrative action, stating that religious freedom, property rights, and due process were disregarded despite the mosque committee presenting historical records from 1911 showing over a century of continuous prayer. Owaisi argued that the mosque pre-dated the collectorate complex and questioned whether places of worship can be razed on flimsy grounds without proper legal protection. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also posted a cryptic reaction on the matter.

Speculation has surfaced over a possible political understanding between the Samajwadi Party and student group CJP ahead of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. This follows a meeting between SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and CJP representative Ashutosh Ranka. The Samajwadi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party have both played down the significance of the meeting, while the Congress has supported the outreach. The meeting has triggered discussion regarding the potential launch of a student movement in Uttar Pradesh, given CJP's national prominence following youth protests in Delhi.

Delhi Police have detained right-wing activist Swatantra Bharat Bhardwaj from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, following a viral video and podcast where he claimed to have assaulted Sanjay Kumar, the father of influencer Nishu Azad, during protests at Jantar Mantar.

Tensions escalated outside the Parliament Street Police Station in Delhi as a five-member delegation, including 14-year-old Nishu Azad, her father Sanjay Kumar, Member of Parliament Chandrashekhar Azad, and CJP leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurabh Das, met with the Station House Officer. The delegation, backed by the legal team of the Congress Party, demanded the immediate arrest of activist Swatantra Bharadwaj for allegedly assaulting Sanjay Kumar during a protest at Jantar Mantar. Protesters and leaders demanded that Delhi Police invoke stringent legal provisions in the First Information Report, including charges of attempt to murder under Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, hate speech sections, habitual offender tags, and sections of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. The incident gained political momentum after the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi extended support following an appeal by Nishu Azad. Delhi Police placed heavy barricades and deployed security personnel outside the station premises as protesters staged a dharna demanding swift action.

A major political row has erupted over the appointment of retired Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra as the first Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Ram Temple Trust. The Congress party questioned the decision, arguing that the CEO post should belong to saints, while Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress ally Indian Union Muslim League also criticised the move over donation allegations. In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party defended the appointment, asserting that the new administrator will manage operations professionally. Speaking to India Today, retired Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra stated that he felt gratitude for the opportunity and expressed confidence that managerial principles and support from the trust and his team would help him fulfill his duties. Mishra, who served in the Indian Air Force for nearly four decades and led operations including Operation Safed Sagar and Operation Sindoor, noted that he looks forward to guidance from the trust to plan and execute future strategies.

A major political row has erupted between the opposition and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party following the appointment of retired Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra as the first Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust amid controversy surrounding alleged donation irregularities. The Congress party questioned the appointment, alleging the post belongs to saints and claiming the government is attempting to bury the issue. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress ally IUML also criticised the government over the move. Defending the decision, the BJP stated that the newly appointed CEO will bring transparency and reform the temple administration. Speaking to India Today, retired Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve, stating his commitment to fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to him. Mishra, an Ati Vishisht Seva Medal awardee and former Western Air Command chief who led during Operation Sindoor, retired after nearly four decades in the Indian Air Force.

Retired Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra has been appointed as the first Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. A former chief of the Western Air Command who served in the Indian Air Force for nearly 40 years and led Operation Sindoor, Mishra expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the temple. The appointment comes amid controversy over alleged donation theft at the temple. The Bharatiya Janata Party welcomed the decision, stating his military experience would bring discipline, transparency, and efficiency to temple administration. However, the Congress and Samajwadi Party raised objections, questioning the appointment criteria and alleging unresolved issues regarding temple donation management. Key priorities and challenges identified for the new administration include restoring devotees' trust, securing donation collection mechanisms, enhancing financial transparency, upgrading security and CCTV surveillance, and streamlining crowd management systems at the temple.

A panel discussion examining the appointment of decorated Indian Air Force veteran Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra as the Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir Trust. ANI Editor Smita Prakash and former Director General Inspections and Flight Safety Air Marshal Sanjiv Kapur analyze the institutional, operational, and political ramifications of bringing a military veteran to helm temple administration following allegations of financial irregularities. Air Marshal Sanjiv Kapur highlights that Air Marshal Mishra was selected for leadership and management expertise, emphasizing, 'He is not here to interpret religion. He is here to manage the institution.' Smita Prakash notes the strategic necessity of robust logistics, security, crisis planning, and transparent financial controls at one of India's most sensitive religious sites. The panel also reflects on the relationship between faith and the armed forces, military ethics during operations, and political accountability ahead of upcoming state and general elections in Uttar Pradesh.

So Sorry: Pandit Ji Pranam