Olympic medalists Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, known for their fight for justice in the wrestling federation, have joined the Congress party ahead of the Haryana assembly elections. Their decision follows a showcause notice from the Railway authorities, allegedly in response to their meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Both wrestlers have resigned from their Indian Railway posts, citing their decision to focus on serving the nation through politics.
Congress leader Pawan Khera has accused former SEBI chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch of corruption, citing a potential conflict of interest between her husband’s company, Carol Info Services, and Wockhardt Ltd., a company SEBI has investigated for insider trading. These allegations come amid protests from SEBI employees demanding Buch’s resignation and a parliamentary inquiry into the regulator’s work culture. The Congress has also raised concerns about Buch’s continued income from ICICI Bank after her retirement, raising further questions about her potential conflict of interest.
Congress MP Kumari Selja, a prominent Dalit leader, has sparked speculation about a possible Dalit Chief Minister in Haryana ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. While emphasizing that the final decision rests with the party’s high command, her statement has fueled a perception of power tussle within the Congress leadership in the state.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s camaraderie took center stage as Gandhi expressed his desire to cycle with Stalin in Chennai. This exchange followed a viral video of Stalin enjoying a bike ride along Chicago’s shoreline during his US investment tour. The two leaders engaged in light-hearted banter, promising a cycling adventure in Chennai, a delicious South Indian lunch, and a box of sweets.
The Congress-led government in Himachal Pradesh has passed a bill to prevent disqualified MLAs from receiving pensions. The move comes after six Congress MLAs were disqualified for defying party orders during a Rajya Sabha election. The bill also addresses concerns about financial mismanagement by the previous BJP government.
Coinbase Global Inc.’s Chief Legal Officer, Paul Grewal, expressed optimism that the next Congress, regardless of the presidential election outcome, will be pro-cryptocurrency. Grewal highlighted the progress of the FIT21 bill and emphasized the need for regulatory clarity. While both the Trump and Harris campaigns have shown interest in crypto, the Trump campaign has been more vocal in support. Despite the current administration’s regulatory approach, Coinbase has engaged with both sides, investing heavily in pro-crypto political action committees.
Mexico’s Congress is debating a controversial judicial reform, despite a rare work stoppage by Supreme Court judges in protest. The reform, proposed by outgoing President Lopez Obrador, seeks to elect judges by popular vote and reduce the number of Supreme Court judges, aiming to combat corruption. However, critics argue it weakens checks and balances and could harm the economy. The debate comes amidst protests by judicial workers and concerns from the U.S.
As Congress reconvenes for the fall session, the comparison to students returning to school proves imperfect. Despite the return of lawmakers, reporters, and staff, the atmosphere lacks the usual new-year energy. With an election year looming, the focus is on campaigning rather than legislative work, and many lawmakers are already looking forward to recess.
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo will testify before a congressional subcommittee investigating the COVID-19 pandemic. The hearing will focus on Cuomo’s handling of the pandemic, particularly his controversial policies regarding nursing homes. The subcommittee will examine whether Cuomo’s directives led to increased deaths in nursing homes, with Republicans arguing that he should be held accountable for his decisions. Cuomo’s spokesperson has defended his record, attributing the high death rate to factors beyond his control.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released its fourth list of candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, nominating 6 candidates for the second phase of polling. This brings the total number of BJP candidates to 51, including 14 for the Kashmir Valley. Notable inclusions in the list include J&K unit chief Ravinder Raina and former minister Vibodh Gupta. The BJP has yet to field some senior leaders, including former Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh. The Congress has also released its list of candidates for the second phase, featuring key figures like Tariq Hameed Karra and Mumtaz Khan.
