Amidst allegations of molestation against West Bengal Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose, Raj Bhavan plans to exhibit CCTV footage to 100 individuals, excluding Mamata Banerjee and her police. Governor Bose criticized Mamata Banerjee's involvement, labeling it as "dirty politics." The move follows a police request for the footage, which the Governor's staff is instructed not to cooperate with. Raj Bhavan announced the program "SACH KE SAAMNE" to address the allegations, inviting requests from the public to attend and view the footage.          

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's accusation of Congress striking a deal with Ambani-Adani. Gandhi questioned Modi's sudden mention of the industrialists in public and challenged him to send investigative agencies to scrutinize them. Modi had earlier insinuated Congress's financial ties with Ambani-Adani at a Telangana rally. In a video message, Gandhi retorted, suggesting Modi's familiarity with Ambani-Adani's financial dealings. He vowed to redirect funds received from industrialists towards the welfare of the nation's poor, countering Modi's allegations with a promise of social upliftment. Gandhi stated, "Namaskar Modiji, are you scared?"

Congress leader Sam Pitroda has stepped down as Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress following widespread backlash over his controversial remarks. Pitroda faced heavy criticism for his comments comparing Indians from different regions to various ethnicities. His resignation was accepted by the party, with Congress leader Jairam Ramesh publicly announcing Pitroda's decision. The Congress swiftly distanced itself from Pitroda's remarks, labeling them as "unfortunate and unacceptable." The BJP also condemned Pitroda's statements as "racist and divisive." This development comes amidst escalating tensions and underscores the importance of cultural sensitivity in political discourse.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a direct challenge to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, urging him to reconsider the Congress alliance in response to Sam Pitroda's divisive comments equating South Indians with Africans. Pitroda's contentious analogy, which also included likening Northeasterners to Chinese and Westerners to Arabs, drew widespread condemnation. Modi's call for alliance reassessment underscored the growing political ramifications of Pitroda's remarks, emphasizing the need for cultural sensitivity and political accountability in the midst of ongoing electoral dynamics.

At a rally in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the need for a 400-seat mandate to prevent Congress from reviving Article 370 in Kashmir and put a 'Babri-Lock' on the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. He criticized RJD's Lalu Prasad for advocating quota benefits for Muslims, accusing the INDI alliance of aiming to redistribute reservations from SCs, STs, and OBCs to a "vote bank." Modi accused Congress of favoring religious-based contracts and sports selections in their manifesto, while undermining Babasaheb Ambedkar's role in framing the Constitution. He refuted claims of BJP altering the Constitution and questioned Congress's priorities regarding rumors of constitutional changes.

Mayawati, leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), announced the removal of her nephew Akash Anand as her successor and as national coordinator of the party until he becomes "politically mature." The decision, aimed at preserving the party's interests and the ongoing movement for social change, comes amidst voting for the Lok Sabha polls. Akash Anand, appointed in 2019 and declared successor in 2023, faces uncertainty following his recent booking for alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Mayawati's brother, Anand Kumar, will continue his responsibilities within the party.

Voting in Phase 3 of the Lok Sabha elections saw a turnout of 60.6% across 93 constituencies in 11 states and a Union Territory. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and other prominent leaders exercised their franchise. BJP strongholds, including Gujarat and Karnataka, were spotlighted, with the BJP winning the Surat seat unopposed. Maharashtra's political landscape remains unpredictable, with key battles like Pawar versus Pawar in Baramati. The phase also includes postponed elections in Betul, MP, and Anantnag-Rajouri constituency in Jammu and Kashmir. Key candidates include Amit Shah, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Pralhad Joshi, and Shivraj Singh Chouhan.            

At a press conference in Rohtak, three independent MLAs, Sombir Sangwan, Randhir Gollen, and Dharampal Gonder, announced their withdrawal of support from the Nayab Singh Saini government in Haryana. Citing concerns over farmer-related issues among others, they declared their support for Congress candidates in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and State Congress chief Udai Bhan were present during the announcement. This move adds a new dynamic to the political landscape of Haryana as the Congress gains support from erstwhile backers of the ruling government.            

In the third phase of Lok Sabha elections, as of 3 pm on Tuesday, the overall voter turnout stood at approximately 50.71%. West Bengal recorded the highest turnout at 63.11%, followed closely by Assam at 63.08%. Other states showed varied participation: Chhattisgarh at 58.19%, Goa at 61.39%, and Karnataka at 54.20%. However, Bihar and Maharashtra lagged with turnouts of 46.69% and 42.63% respectively. These figures indicate significant voter engagement, particularly in West Bengal and Assam, shaping the electoral landscape.

The Election Commission of India has instructed political parties to quickly remove deepfake videos and audios within three hours of notification. This comes after a BJP-led delegation urged action against deepfakes' impact on elections. Parties are also warned not to use social media for spreading fake or altered content that could mislead voters. The EC emphasized that such content can manipulate voter opinions, deepen societal divides, and erode trust in elections. Parties must also identify and warn those responsible for posting deepfakes. While the use of AI tools is allowed, the EC prohibits those that distort information or spread misinformation, highlighting the danger of unchecked falsehoods on social media.