The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has secured a majority in the Rajya Sabha after winning nine seats in the recent by-elections. This victory gives the NDA a commanding presence in the upper house, with a total of 112 seats. The Opposition’s INDIA bloc now holds 85 seats.
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has suffered a setback in by-elections, losing all three contested seats to the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. The losses, attributed to a major kickback scandal involving political fundraising, have raised questions about Kishida’s leadership and potential ouster by LDP lawmakers. Despite the setbacks, the LDP-led ruling bloc maintains a comfortable legislative majority, and Kishida faces no immediate replacement within the party.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has rejected any formal invitation from the government for negotiations and denounced the recent by-elections as rigged. He stated that PTI founder Imran Khan had not received any message for dialogues and emphasized that the party was not involved in secret talks. The politico’s comments come in response to PML-N stalwart Rana Sanaullah’s call for reconciliation with PTI, amidst ongoing economic and political crises.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has denied receiving any message for dialogues or holding secret talks with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). The denial comes a day after PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah extended a ‘reconciliation offer’ to PTI founder Imran Khan. PTI also raised concerns about the recent by-elections, alleging pre-filled ballot boxes and a lack of fairness. The party plans to hold protests and demand a Supreme Court hearing on alleged election rigging.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has accused the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of orchestrating blatant rigging in the recent by-elections. As a result, the PTI has announced plans for nationwide protests starting Friday. The by-elections were reportedly held amid tight security, including the suspension of cellular and internet services in specific districts. The PML-N, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, emerged victorious in at least two national and 10 provincial assembly seats. PTI leaders have denounced the elections as a “black day” in Pakistan’s history and have urged the Election Commission of Pakistan to withhold the results. They allege that rigging and ballot stuffing occurred, and that the gates of polling stations were closed. The party has called for protests across the country, including a public meeting in Karachi on May 5th.
Amid ongoing crises and under pressure to secure an IMF bailout, PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah has called for reconciliation with imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Sanaullah urges Khan to engage in dialogue to steer the country out of economic and political turmoil. The PML-N’s offer follows the party’s success in recent by-polls, with Sanaullah claiming that Khan’s stubbornness deterred PTI voters from participating.
