The NDA alliance in Bihar is under strain after the BJP released its first list of 71 candidates. JD(U) objected to giving its seats — Sonbarsa, Rajgir, Ekma, and Morwa — to Chirag Paswan’s LJP(RV) and fielded its own candidates. RLM chief Upendra Kushwaha also protested after Mahua was allotted to Paswan’s party and withheld symbols for his candidates. The BJP further refused LJP(RV) key seats like Danapur and Lalganj. The dispute has delayed the NDA’s campaign plans ahead of the November 6 and 11 assembly polls. (PC: India Today)

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a petition seeking a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s “vote chori” (vote theft) allegations from the last general elections. The PIL was filed by advocate Rohit Pandey, who asked the court to order a CBI investigation. The bench, led by Justice Surya Kant, said the petitioner should approach the Election Commission of India. Rahul Gandhi had claimed over one lakh votes were irregular in the Mahadevapura segment of Bangalore Central. The Election Commission rejected his claims, saying election results can only be challenged through a formal High Court petition. (PC: X)

The father of a 23-year-old MBBS student gang-raped in Durgapur, West Bengal, criticized Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her remarks on women stepping out late at night. Banerjee had questioned how the student left the campus at 12:30 am, while police records show the incident occurred around 8 pm. The father said, “She is also a woman. How can she say such an irresponsible thing?” He added that his daughter’s safety and career come first and plans to take her back to Odisha. Four people have been arrested. West Bengal police promised strict action and expressed deep regret. (PC: NDTV)

A Delhi court has ordered charges against RJD leaders Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi Yadav in the IRCTC scam case. The case involves alleged corruption in hotel maintenance contracts for IRCTC properties in Ranchi and Puri. The court said Lalu Yadav abused his position as Railway Minister and engaged in conspiracy to undervalue land, which was later transferred to his family. Rabri Devi and Tejashwi face charges of cheating and conspiracy. All three have pleaded not guilty. The case will now go to trial, with the CBI presenting evidence of manipulated tenders and fraudulent land transfers.(PC: India Today)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee faced criticism after commenting on the alleged gangrape of a medical student in Durgapur. She said, “How did she come out at 12:30 AM?” and suggested colleges should restrict women from going out at night. The incident involved a second-year student from Odisha, who was reportedly attacked while stepping out with a classmate. Three accused have been arrested, and the survivor is in stable condition. Mamata added that rape cases must be condemned everywhere. Opposition leaders called her remarks insensitive, accusing her of shifting blame onto the victim instead of focusing on the perpetrators. (PC: News18)

The NDA has finalised its seat-sharing plan for the Bihar Assembly elections. The BJP and Nitish Kumar’s JDU will contest 101 seats each out of 243. Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) will get 29 seats after long talks. Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha and Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustan Awam Morcha will get six seats each. Paswan had demanded up to 45 seats but settled after meetings with BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, his party had won all five seats it contested, strengthening its bargaining power. (PC: NDTV)

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has finalised its seat-sharing arrangement for the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] will contest 101 seats each, while smaller allies — LJP (Ram Vilas), HAM, and Rashtriya Lok Manch — will share the remaining 41 seats. JD(U) leader Sanjay Kumar Jha stated that the discussions were held amicably, reflecting the alliance’s unity. The NDA aims to consolidate its position and return Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to power with a strong electoral mandate.    

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in Delhi that the Muslim population in India has increased because of “infiltration from Pakistan and Bangladesh.” Speaking at an event, he added that voting rights in the country “should only be available to citizens.” Shah claimed, “The Muslim population has increased by 24.6%, whereas the Hindu population has decreased by 4.5%. It hasn't happened because of fertility rate, it has happened because of infiltration.” He further said that Hindus who decreased in Pakistan and Bangladesh came to India as refugees, while “many Muslims infiltrated into the country.” (PC: HT)

After suffering a major blow from India’s Operation Sindoor, Jaish-E-Mohammed (JeM) has announced its first women’s wing, named Jamaat-Ul-Mominaat. The unit will be led by Sadiya Azhar, sister of JeM chief Masood Azhar. Recruitment started on October 8 in Bahawalpur and targets wives of members and economically weaker women at JeM centres in Pakistan. The women’s unit will focus on propaganda, recruitment, and psychological warfare, using social media and WhatsApp. Sources say this marks a shift for JeM, which previously barred women from combat roles. The unit is active online in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of South India. (PC: HT)

Actor-politician Vijay has personally reached out to families affected by the Karur stampede in Tamil Nadu, which killed 41 people and injured over 100 during his rally on September 27. Sources said Vijay, chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), spoke to 4–5 families, including women and children, via video calls lasting about 20 minutes each. He expressed deep sympathy and assured them of his support, saying, "I am with you, I will stand by you." Vijay also promised to visit the families in person and provide assistance. The incident has caused political ripples ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. (PC: India Today)