The National Conference (NC) won 42 out of 90 seats in the recent Jammu and Kashmir elections, while the Congress party secured only six seats. Despite their alliance during the elections, the Congress will not join the new government led by Chief Minister-elect Omar Abdullah and has declined one ministerial position, opting to provide external support instead. Abdullah stated that the NC is in discussions with the Congress regarding its role. Senior Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony, which will also include eight ministers taking the oath.

Omar Abdullah will be sworn in as the first chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir since it became a Union Territory, after his National Conference party won the region’s first Assembly election following the removal of Article 370. The oath-taking ceremony will be held today at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar at 11:30 am. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will administer the oath to Abdullah and his council of ministers. This is the first time a chief minister will assume office in the region since its reorganization in 2019.

The Centre has revoked President's rule in Jammu and Kashmir, paving the way for the appointment of a new Chief Minister. President Droupadi Murmu's notification cites the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, allowing for the restoration of local governance. President’s rule was initially imposed in 2018 after the collapse of the Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government. This marks a significant shift as Jammu and Kashmir prepares for its first government in six years, following a prolonged period of central oversight due to political instability and security challenges in the region.

The Election Commission announced that Maharashtra will hold assembly elections in a single phase on November 20, while Jharkhand will vote in two phases on November 13 and 20. The vote counting will occur on November 23. In Maharashtra, the ruling Mahyuti alliance faces the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). In Jharkhand, the BJP seeks to challenge the incumbent JMM-led alliance. The 2019 polls saw BJP win the most seats in Maharashtra, while the JMM-Congress-RJD alliance triumphed in Jharkhand.

President's rule in Jammu and Kashmir was revoked on October 13, 2024, following the National Conference-Congress alliance's victory in the recent Assembly elections. Omar Abdullah, National Conference Vice President, will serve as the next Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. The central rule had been in place since October 31, 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories. A gazette notification from the Union Home Ministry confirmed the revocation of the President’s rule before Abdullah's appointment.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appointed Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav as observers for the Haryana BJP legislature party meeting, set to elect the new Chief Minister. Caretaker CM Nayab Singh Saini, who won the Ladwa constituency by over 16,000 votes, is anticipated to be reappointed. The BJP defied expectations with a hat-trick victory, securing 48 out of 90 assembly seats. The new cabinet's oath-taking ceremony will occur on October 17, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP Chief Ministers.

NCP leader Baba Siddique was shot dead by three assailants in Mumbai’s Bandra area on Saturday night. Two suspects, Gurmail Singh (23) from Haryana and Dharamraj Kashyap (19) from Uttar Pradesh, have been arrested, while the search for a third accused is ongoing. The Mumbai Police is investigating the case, exploring angles like contract killing, business rivalry, and threats over a slum rehabilitation project. Reports suggest the involvement of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, with a possible motive to establish dominance in Mumbai. Siddique was rushed to Lilavati Hospital but was declared dead at 11:27 PM.

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat criticized the West Bengal government over the incident at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College, stating that a "crime and politics nexus" is responsible for such occurrences. Speaking at a Dussehra celebration, Bhagwat expressed his solidarity with the protesting junior doctors, calling the incident shameful. He drew parallels to the Mahabharata and Ramayana, highlighting the need for stronger actions to protect "matri shakti" (women’s power). Bhagwat condemned the government's failure to control the situation and accused them of attempting to cover up the incident. He called for nationwide support for the doctors' movement.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi slammed the central government after the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express collided with a stationary goods train near Chennai, injuring 19 passengers. Drawing comparisons to the Balasore accident that claimed nearly 300 lives, Gandhi said, "No lessons learned. Accountability starts at the top." Restoration efforts are ongoing, with Tamil Nadu’s Deputy Chief Minister confirming no casualties and relief measures for passengers. Udhayanidhi Stalin emphasized proactive steps to prevent future accidents, while Rahul Gandhi demanded stricter accountability for railway safety.

Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) will hold separate Dussehra rallies in Mumbai on Saturday, ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections. Shinde’s rally will be at Azad Maidan, while Thackeray’s will be at Shivaji Park. Both leaders aim to show their strength, with Shinde expecting around 2 lakh supporters. Teasers released by both factions highlight their political messages, with Shinde criticizing Congress ties and Thackeray targeting the BJP. The rallies hold deep significance for Shiv Sena, a tradition started by Bal Thackeray in the 1960s.