Congress leaders have questioned Penguin Random House India (PRHI) over the publication row surrounding Sonia Gandhi’s memoir Belonging: A Journey of Love, alleging pressure on the publisher and threats to freedom of expression. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot claimed sections concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the RSS and China were targeted for removal, while Kamal Nath and other Congress leaders also raised concerns. Penguin denied that it rejected the memoir because Gandhi refused editorial changes, clarifying that it is not the book’s Indian publisher. PRHI said fact-checking and editorial recommendations are routine and maintained it had remained willing to publish the book. The memoir’s Indian publisher remains unclear, with international release scheduled for November. (PC: X)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and TVK leader C. Joseph Vijay has emerged as the third-most preferred choice for India’s next Prime Minister, according to the India Today-CVoter Mood of the Nation survey. For the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, 48.7% of respondents preferred Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while 27.1% chose Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Vijay received 9.2%, placing him ahead of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (2%) and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav (1.7%). The survey highlights Vijay’s rapid political rise after entering politics in 2024. TVK leaders have also increasingly projected him as a potential national leader. 

The Lok Sabha Secretariat has issued notices to 20 rebel Trinamool Congress MPs over petitions seeking their disqualification under the anti-defection law. The petitions were filed by TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee after the MPs joined the Nationalist Citizens Party of India. The MPs have been asked to submit their responses within seven days. The development comes after Banerjee approached the Supreme Court over the delay in deciding the disqualification petitions. The rebel MPs remain officially part of the TMC as their proposed merger with the NCPI is still under review. (PC: HT)

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday said the Congress would continue to sing only the first two stanzas of *Vande Mataram*, standing by the party's long-held position. His remarks came amid a political row over the national song and demands to sing all its stanzas. Shivakumar said the party respects *Vande Mataram* but would follow its established stand. The Congress traditionally sings the first two stanzas, which are widely recognised and have been adopted for official use. The issue has triggered fresh political debate, with the BJP questioning the Congress's position on the national song.  

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has backed actor Kriti Sanon amid a row over her Raksha Bandhan advertisement, saying it was “her choice” what she wore. His remarks came a day after actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut criticised Sanon’s outfit in the advertisement. The campaign sparked debate online, with some users questioning Sanon’s clothing and a scene involving a rakhi. Sanon later responded to the criticism, defending her right to choose her outfit. Gandhi’s intervention added a political dimension to the controversy, as reactions continued to pour in over the advertisement and the wider debate around personal choice. (PC: India Today)

Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi backed actor Kriti Sanon after her outfit in a Raksha Bandhan jewellery advertisement drew social media criticism. Sharing Sanon’s response on Instagram Stories, Gandhi said what a woman wears, does and where she goes is her choice, urging people to stop trolling women for exercising their freedom. Sanon questioned why women’s respect for culture and traditions continues to be judged by their clothes, saying culture resides in the heart, not the neckline. The advertisement showed her tying a rakhi to her brother and later to their pet dog, prompting criticism. BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut also criticised Sanon’s look, calling it “intentionally creepy”.

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has challenged the BJP to compare the condition of 1,000 government schools in AAP-ruled Punjab with an equal number in BJP-ruled Gujarat. He dared BJP leaders to visit the schools and assess infrastructure, education standards and facilities. Kejriwal said the comparison would expose the difference between the two governments’ approach to public education. The challenge comes amid an ongoing political battle between the AAP and BJP over governance and development. Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains also backed Kejriwal, saying the state government was ready for a transparent comparison. (PC: India Today)

BJP national spokesperson Ajay Alok has sparked a fresh row after saying the Modi government addressed upper-caste concerns by introducing the 10% EWS quota in 2019. His remarks came amid protests demanding reforms to caste-based reservation and the scrapping of the now-stayed UGC equity rules. Reservation reform activists hit back, accusing Alok of dismissing their right to question policies affecting them. The debate has intensified after activist Ajeet Bharti was booked under the SC/ST Act over alleged remarks against MP Chandrashekhar Azad, adding political heat to the reservation controversy. (PC: India Today)

The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notices to 20 rebel Trinamool Congress MPs over a plea seeking their disqualification. The petition was filed by TMC general secretary and Lok Sabha leader Abhishek Banerjee, who challenged the delay in deciding the matter before Speaker Om Birla.   The 20 MPs were elected on TMC tickets but later broke away and aligned with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India. TMC has sought their disqualification under the anti-defection law. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that Speaker Birla had already issued notices on the disqualification petitions. (PC: IndiaToday)

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his recent remarks on Manusmriti, saying Gandhi “disparages India’s traditions and heritage.” Speaking in Raebareli, Yogi said the Leader of the Opposition should show greater accountability towards democracy and the country. He was responding to Gandhi’s comments in Pune, where the Congress leader criticised the “Manusmriti mindset” and urged women to challenge patriarchy. Gandhi said women belonged to themselves and should not remain under male authority. Yogi also accused him of repeatedly insulting India and questioning its institutions. (PC: X)