Lucknow, the capital city of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is one of the most populous city of India. Lucknow has always been a multicultural city that flourished as a North Indian cultural and artistic hub, and the seat of power of Nawabs in the 18th and 19th centuries. The city stands at an elevation of approximately 123 metres (404 ft) above sea level. Lucknow city has an area of 402 sq km.
Historically, Lucknow was the capital of the Awadh region, controlled by the Delhi Sultanate and later the Mughal Empire. It was transferred to the Nawabs of Awadh. In 1856, the British East India Company abolished local rule and took complete control of the city along with the rest of Awadh and, in 1857, transferred it to the British Raj. The history of Lucknow can be traced back to the ancient times of the Suryavanshi Dynasty. It is said that Lakshmana, who was the brother of Lord Rama, laid the foundation of the ancient city. This was near the Gomti River on an elevated piece of land. It was then called Lakshmanpur.
Lucknow was considered one of the great centres of Muslim culture. The classical Indian dance form Kathak originated from Lucknow. It is known for embroidery works including chikankari, zari, zardozi, kamdani and gota making.
Lucknow is also known for its chaats, street food, kulfi, paan and sweets. Nahari, a dish prepared using mutton, is popular among non-vegetarians. Sheermal is a type of sweet bread (paratha) prepared in Lucknow. Makkhan-malai is another sweet delicacy of Lucknow made and sold only during winters. Lucknow has a total of only 5.66 percent of forest cover, which is much less than the state average of around 7 percent. Lucknow is also among the top cities of India by GDP.
This special news report covers major political developments across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. In Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's planned visit to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on 12 December sparks a debate ahead of state assembly elections.
A political confrontation has emerged between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, triggered by campaign posters featuring party chief Akhilesh Yadav alongside Lord Krishna with the slogan '27 Mein Krishna Aayenge'.
A cross-border terror recruitment nexus targeting Indian youth on social media platforms like Instagram has come to light. Gangs linked to Pakistani terrorist Shahzad Bhatti have been contacting youngsters by offering financial assistance, fake passports, and logistics tasks that lead to target killings and criminal activities. Investigations revealed that operatives lure vulnerable youth on Instagram reels before shifting communications to encrypted platforms like WhatsApp and Signal. The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested three operatives from Lucknow alongside apprehending a juvenile, recovering a foreign pistol and live ammunition. The suspects were operating under instructions from a Pakistani handler identified as Rana Bhai to carry out targeted killings of police and army personnel. Security agencies have intensified scrutiny after cracking down on several operatives involved in executing attacks and targeting police personnel across Punjab.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has launched a series of pad yatras across several states under the slogan Save Democracy and End Anarchy to counter the narrative of opposition parties. Union Minister JP Nadda arrived in Bareilly to lead a foot march passing through the Prem Nagar Police Station area, with approximately 40,000 party workers and public representatives from the Braj region expected to take part under tight security arrangements. Concurrently, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan led a march in Lucknow covering the stretch from Hazratganj to Parivartan Chowk. Senior leaders, including Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and both Deputy Chief Ministers, are scheduled to lead similar rallies in Ghaziabad, Prayagraj, and Kanpur. The nationwide outreach is designed to counter ground protests organized by Congress and Samajwadi Party leaders, affirming the ruling party's presence among the public ahead of upcoming state elections.
A female doctor has levelled allegations of sexual exploitation, assault, blackmail, and forced religious conversion against Dr Rameezuddin Nayak and his family at King George's Medical University in Lucknow. According to the police complaint, the accused established contact during their MBBS studies in 2012, administered drugs, and repeatedly promised marriage while recording private videos used for intimidation. The victim further stated she was forced into an abortion in 2016, pressured to convert to Islam, and coerced alongside her father to sign a pre-prepared Nikahnama. Following investigation, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force found the accused and his family complicit in criminal acts, leading to his arrest. An STF report indicated the involvement of multiple professors and department heads who allegedly shielded the accused and ignored victim complaints. Authorities affirmed that a dedicated committee will pursue strict departmental and legal action against those involved.
A shocking survivor testimony accessed in the King George's Medical University conversion case reveals serious allegations against Dr Rameez. The victim claimed she was drugged, molested while unconscious, and repeatedly coerced into physical relations under the promise of marriage. The alleged sexual exploitation and harassment spanned over a decade, between 2012 and 2025. The survivor further stated that she was brainwashed against her religion, forced to distance herself from her parents, impregnated in 2016 and pressured into having an abortion. When she confronted the accused about alleged multiple affairs in 2024, she was physically assaulted. The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force investigation found Dr Rameez and his family complicit in criminal activities, leading to their arrest, with the High Court rejecting bail. The inquiry revealed a wider nexus at the medical college, involving professors who allegedly aided the accused and showed bias towards specific communities.
The INDIA bloc organised a massive rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, witnessing a large turnout of cadre and supporters from various parties, including the Congress, Samajwadi Party, and the Left. Leaders and party workers arrived in large contingents from states like Haryana and Rajasthan, displaying party flags and filling the venue to capacity. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party mounted counter-protests across multiple locations, including Rohtak, Shimla, and Lucknow, addressing issues concerning the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Amid BJP allegations regarding potential disruptions to local trade and markets, alliance members countered that visiting supporters would bolster local businesses in Chandni Chowk ahead of festive events. Large banners and cutouts highlighted Rahul Gandhi and the Congress as central to the coalition's unity.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Lucknow ahead of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, setting a 313-seat target for the Bharatiya Janata Party, proposing the Uniform Civil Code, and challenging the Samajwadi Party and Congress to a parliamentary debate regarding the Election Commission.
A political debate erupted over Uttar Pradesh governance and electoral leadership between Samajwadi Party spokesperson Pradeep Bharti and Bharatiya Janata Party national spokesperson Charu Pragya. The discussion focused on Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Lucknow and ongoing political speculation following recent election outcomes. Pradeep Bharti asserted that 'Amit Shah's arrival in Lucknow itself an admission to the Yogi government's failure' and questioned the Bharatiya Janata Party's confidence in Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. In response, Charu Pragya defended the ruling party's democratic credentials and contested claims regarding internal rift, challenging Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav to contest from Ayodhya. Bharti countered by arguing that democratic governance is not merely about electoral victories but about institutional integrity and protecting dissent.
Political activity in Uttar Pradesh has intensified ahead of next year's assembly elections as the Bharatiya Janata Party sets a target of 313 seats and targets a third consecutive term. Addressing party workers in Lucknow, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the Uniform Civil Code would be implemented in the state if the NDA returns to power. He also challenged Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to a parliamentary debate regarding the Election Commission. Meanwhile, following close results in recent legislative council elections, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of winning seats through deceit.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a Bharatiya Janata Party strategy meeting in Lucknow ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, expressing confidence in Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's leadership. Shah praised the state government's performance over two terms, particularly its measures against mafias and contributions to security and development, setting an electoral target of 313 seats. Targeting the opposition, Shah referenced the 1990 Ayodhya firing incident under the Mulayam Singh Yadav government and claimed the Samajwadi Party would remain out of power for decades, comparing the BJP's presence in the state to Angad's foot. In response, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav criticised the ruling party, alleging deceit in recent elections and asserting that opposition support stems directly from the public.
Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh was required to fill out a mandatory C-form under Foreigners Regional Registration Office regulations during his stay at a five-star hotel in Agra. Indian rules mandate that any foreign national staying at a hotel, homestay, or guest house must complete this digital document, allowing the government to track foreign visitors. The hotel informed the authorities after Dosanjh's team initially refused to fill the form, citing that he had never completed one during previous stays in India. Following a warning from the Lucknow registration office team that non-compliance could result in legal action or an FIR, the singer completed the document.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a sharp attack against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, daring them to debate issues regarding the Election Commission inside a special session of Parliament rather than taking to the streets. Addressing party workers in Uttar Pradesh, Shah noted that Rahul Gandhi remains fixated on the 2024 general election outcomes despite the National Democratic Alliance governing across 22 states. He asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party's foothold in Uttar Pradesh remains unshakeable and highlighted the end of mafia raj under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath alongside the construction of the Ram Mandir. The Home Minister further criticised past appeasement politics under the Samajwadi Party administration and dismissed opposition rallies against democratic institutions following the recent Legislative Council election results. Motivating booth-level cadre for the upcoming 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, Shah expressed confidence that the party would secure a full majority victory.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a major Bharatiya Janata Party election meeting in Lucknow alongside Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the deputy chief ministers, and senior party leaders. The huddle focused on formulating a roadmap for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections following the recent Legislative Council poll results, including the Varanasi seat. Key challenges discussed among the cadre include tackling growing anti-incumbency after a decade in power and formulating an effective strategy to counter the Samajwadi Party's PDA campaign led by Akhilesh Yadav ahead of the upcoming electoral contest.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached Lucknow for a key Bharatiya Janata Party meeting to formulate the strategy for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Welcomed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the airport, Shah is scheduled to guide the cadre and review organisational preparations alongside Deputy Chief Ministers, Members of Parliament, and thousands of party workers. The discussions focus on reviewing recent performances in the Lok Sabha and MLC elections, countering anti-incumbency, addressing the opposition's PDA plank, and laying down guidelines for upcoming campaigns across regional zones.
The legislative council elections across four states for 28 seats have delivered a mixed verdict, reshaping the political conversation. The Congress was reduced to a single victory, failing to win a seat in Karnataka and Bihar, which gave the Bharatiya Janata Party ammunition to counter opposition demands for ballot papers. However, the Congress managed to breach a key stronghold by retaining the Nagpur graduate seat. Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party made notable gains in Uttar Pradesh by holding both seats in Varanasi and wresting Lucknow, while the National Democratic Alliance lost a thirty-year-old council seat in Patna to the Rashtriya Janata Dal.
Uttar Pradesh has seen a tight contest in the legislative council elections, with the Bharatiya Janata Party securing six seats and the Samajwadi Party winning five across eleven seats.
Uttar Pradesh has seen a tight contest in the legislative council elections, with the Bharatiya Janata Party securing six seats and the Samajwadi Party winning five across eleven seats. The Samajwadi Party increased its tally compared to 2020, winning both graduate and teacher seats in Varanasi as well as the Lucknow graduate constituency. Concurrently, the Yogi Adityanath administration announced that individuals affiliated with organisations seeking regime change through violent means will be disqualified from direct government employment across departments, prompting strong objections from opposition parties regarding constitutional rights. Meanwhile, ahead of key state elections, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh plans to conduct outreach in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. In Punjab, political tensions escalated over law and order and the drug menace, leading the state Bharatiya Janata Party to petition the governor for an immediate enforcement of the model code of conduct following the denial of permission for an anti-drug marathon.
Following the Uttar Pradesh MLC election results, the Samajwadi Party has urged ally Congress to show generosity in seat-sharing discussions ahead of the assembly elections. The Samajwadi Party secured five seats, defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party in key constituencies such as Varanasi and Lucknow, while the Congress won zero seats. With Congress earlier seeking up to 200 seats, Samajwadi Party leaders stated that the focus must be on winning capability rather than mere seat allocation.
High drama unfolded outside counting centres in Varanasi following the Samajwadi Party's victory in the Member of Legislative Council elections. Bharatiya Janata Party cadres staged a sit-in demonstration and raised slogans outside the counting venue, alleging malpractices by the poll observer. Demonstrators claimed that vote counting procedures were compromised and numbers were fudged. The electoral loss in Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is viewed as a notable political setback alongside another loss reported in Nagpur. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party workers celebrated their poll victories, which also included key performances in Lucknow. Discussions highlighted that the outcome in graduate and teacher constituencies provides the Samajwadi Party with political narrative momentum ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, connecting electoral sentiments from Kashi to Ayodhya.
