The National Conference (NC) secured the most seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, winning 42 out of 90 seats. The BJP maintained its dominance in Jammu with 29 seats, while the Congress, an ally of the NC, performed poorly with only 6 seats.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the BJP’s unprecedented hat-trick victory in Haryana and its strong performance in Jammu & Kashmir, attributing the success to the party’s commitment to development. He delivered a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing them of spreading caste poison and undermining Indian democracy. He further emphasized the BJP’s dedication to empowering marginalized communities and building a prosperous India.
In a stunning victory, Nayab Singh Saini, the BJP’s low-profile OBC leader, led the party to a third consecutive term in the Haryana Assembly elections. Saini’s elevation as Chief Minister just months before the polls, replacing Manohar Lal Khattar, was a risky move but proved to be a winning strategy for the BJP. The party’s focus on development, employment opportunities, and criticism of the Congress’s perceived failures contributed to its success.
Former Indian cricket captain and Congress leader Mohammed Azharuddin appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Hyderabad on October 8th, 2023, in connection with a money laundering case. This development comes as part of an ongoing investigation by the ED. More details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
The vote counting for the Haryana assembly elections commenced on Tuesday morning amidst tight security measures. Early trends suggest a close race between the BJP and Congress, with BJP candidate Anil Vij leading from Ambala Cantt. However, the Congress claims an early lead overall. The counting process involves scrutinizing postal ballots first, followed by Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) after a 30-minute interval. Key candidates from various parties are vying for seats, including Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and Abhay Chautala. The BJP aims for a third consecutive term, while the Congress hopes to regain power.
Janelle Bynum, a Democratic candidate for Congress in Oregon, is facing accusations of covering up allegations of sexual harassment and assault against a man working with her campaign. An ethics complaint alleges that Bynum failed to act as a mandatory reporter and even threatened the individual who brought the allegations to her attention. Bynum’s campaign maintains her innocence, but text messages and statements from former campaign staff paint a different picture.
Several exit polls predict a Congress majority in Haryana and a close race between the National Conference-Congress alliance and BJP in Jammu and Kashmir. However, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah dismisses the predictions, emphasizing that only the final results on October 8 will matter.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been issued summons by a Pune court in a separate defamation case, adding to his legal troubles. This follows a similar summons issued by a Nashik court for allegedly defamatory remarks against late freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. The Pune case was filed by Satyaki Savarkar, a grandnephew of the late leader, who claims Gandhi made objectionable remarks during a London event in March 2023. Gandhi is now required to appear before the Pune court on October 23.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s two-day visit to Kolhapur, Maharashtra, marks the beginning of his party’s campaign for the upcoming state Assembly elections. This strategic visit to the influential sugar belt region holds significance as it coincides with the legacy of social reformer Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj, born in the city.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, despite a health scare during a campaign rally in Jammu and Kashmir, reiterated his commitment to restoring the region’s statehood and criticized the BJP government’s handling of the elections. His strong words against Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflect the escalating political tensions in the region.
