Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and BJP MP Aprajita Sarangi exchanged bags with symbolic messages. Gandhi’s bag featured the Palestinian flag and watermelons, while Sarangi’s bag had ‘1984’ printed on it, referencing the anti-Sikh riots. This incident reflects escalating tensions between the two parties and follows recent physical altercations in Parliament.
Maharashtra’s BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule refutes claims of central interference in the state’s cabinet portfolio allocation. He highlights the smooth collaboration between the BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde), and NCP (Pawar), emphasizing the autonomy granted by PM Modi and Amit Shah. The 22-day allocation process focused on selecting high-performing leaders to efficiently govern and deliver on the alliance’s promises. The BJP’s success is linked to its improved booth management strategy and focused social harmony initiatives.
Maharashtra’s government expanded with 39 lawmakers taking oath, including four women. The BJP secured 19 ministerial berths, Shiv Sena 11, and NCP 9. Pankaja Munde and Aditi Tatkare are among the women appointed as Cabinet Ministers, highlighting increased female representation in the state’s governance. The expansion follows criticism for delays in cabinet formation.
Maharashtra’s BJP-led government underwent a significant cabinet expansion on December 15th, 2023, in Nagpur. Around 32 ministers from the Mahayuti alliance (BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP) were sworn in. Key figures like Girish Mahajan and Pankaja Munde took their oaths, marking a significant shift in the state’s political landscape.
The BJP’s announcement to construct a Ram temple in Murshidabad, West Bengal, just days after a TMC MLA proposed a Babri Masjid-like mosque, has ignited a major political controversy. The move has drawn sharp criticism and counter-statements, escalating tensions between the ruling TMC and the opposition BJP.
Satish Wagh, uncle of Maharashtra BJP MLC Yogesh Tilekar, was abducted and murdered in Pune. His body was found hours later, sparking a major police investigation into the brutal crime. The incident has raised questions about the potential motives behind the killing, with possible links to a land dispute and outstanding loan.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a statewide ban on beef consumption in hotels, restaurants, and public spaces, escalating a long-standing debate about religious sentiments and political maneuvering. The ban expands upon a previous restriction near religious sites and has sparked strong reactions from the opposition.
Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court granted bail to AAP MLA Naresh Balyan in an extortion case, sparking a fierce political battle between the AAP and BJP. Balyan’s arrest, based on an audio clip allegedly linking him to a gangster, has been labeled politically motivated by the AAP, while the BJP alleges a larger extortion racket involving AAP leaders.
The Telangana BJP has expressed its appreciation for the Union government’s allocation of ₹73.74 crore for the Ramappa Region Sustainable Tourism Circuit and ₹68.10 crore for the Somasila Wellness & Spiritual Retreat, highlighting the Modi government’s commitment to Telangana’s tourism and heritage.
Violent clashes erupted in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, following a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque, resulting in four deaths and the arrest of 25 individuals. Samajwadi Party MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq and the son of an SP MLA are named in the FIR. Opposition parties accuse the BJP of fueling the unrest, while the BJP claims it was pre-planned.
