India's 2024 general election is widely expected to result in a third term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), according to the Guardian. Analysts say Modi's popularity as a Hindu nationalist leader makes a BJP victory seem "almost inevitable" even as opposition parties try to challenge him. A third Modi term raises concerns about further erosion of rights for Muslims, who face rising violence. Modi has consolidated power extensively since 2014, gaining control over media, judiciary and opponents. The BJP campaigns on welfare aid and nationalism while stoking religious tensions. Regional opposition exists but lacks national unity. Modi remains confident, predicting recent state wins "guaranteed the 2024 victory."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticizes PM Modi after wrestler Vinesh Phogat returns Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award, emphasizing the struggle wrestlers face for justice. Phogat left the awards at Kartavya Path in protest, linking the move to alleged insensitivity and political gains. In his X post, Gandhi questions, "Today, has the cost of 'political gains' derived from a declared 'strongman' become greater than the tears of these brave daughters?" He adds, "The prime minister is the guardian of the nation, witnessing such insensitivity causes anguish." The controversy involves accusations against former Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Gandhi calls for sensitivity from the nation's guardian and highlights the emotional toll on brave daughters. The sports ministry later suspended the elected committee, advocating an ad-hoc panel for the Wrestling Federation of India.

Congress faces a setback in the Opposition INDIA bloc as AAP, TMC, and Shiv Sena disrupt seat-sharing talks for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In Punjab, AAP declares intent to go solo, echoing sentiments from TMC's Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal. Shiv Sena's demand for 23 seats in Maharashtra adds further strain to the discussions. Mamata Banerjee emphasizes TMC's independent fight against BJP in West Bengal. Congress grapples with the challenge, recalling past solo contests in Bengal, where it won 2 of 42 seats. The seat-sharing hurdle extends to Maharashtra, echoing complexities in states like Delhi, UP, Bihar, and Jharkhand.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an exclusive interview with India Today, stated that for the first time, the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are free with Article 370 gone forever, emphasizing the historic significance of the move. He said the people of J&K were deprived of rights for seven decades despite India's first prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru saying that Article 370 'ghiste ghiste ghis jaayega' (it would disappear one day). Modi said the people of J&K and Ladakh are now free to ‘shape their destinies’ with their own hands. On holding elections in Jammu and Kashmir, PM Modi said, "Jammu and Kashmir is already represented in our Parliament at the national level. At the local level, for the first time, we have been able to take democracy to the grassroots. A three-tier panchayati raj system has been established in the state and 35,000 leaders elected at the grassroots." [Photo Courtesy: India Today]

In a unanimous decision, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has been elected as the new president of the Janata Dal (United), succeeding Lalan Singh, ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Singh's removal is being attributed to his perceived proximity to the JDU's alliance partner, Lalu Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal, fueling concerns of a potential takeover by RJD's Tejashwi Yadav. However, Yadav dismissed these claims weeks ago, accusing the BJP of spreading rumors to destabilize the JDU-RJD alliance. The move, initially contested by Singh, aims to establish a singular command within the party amidst internal debates. 

The Congress party has scheduled a meeting on January 4th with 14 state presidents and legislative leaders, ahead of its 'Bharat Nyay Yatra' led by Rahul Gandhi. The meeting will finalize the cross-country route for the yatra covering 14 states over 67 days, from Manipur to Mumbai. The party will also unveil the yatra logo on Jan 4th, announce the route on Jan 8th, and release its theme song on Jan 12th. During the journey kicking off on Jan 14th, Rahul Gandhi will interact with various groups while traveling partly on foot and partly by bus. Announced on Dec 27th, the yatra is seen as Congress' attempt to rally support before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, nearly a year after Gandhi's 4,000 km 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'.

Ex-Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu transitions from the cricket field to politics, officially joining Andhra Pradesh's ruling party, YSRCP, in Vijayawada. Accompanied by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Rayudu's political entry marks a significant move after retiring from cricket in 2023. The 37-year-old, who toured his native Guntur district to understand grassroots issues, had announced his political foray in June. Praising CM Jagan earlier, Rayudu expressed intent to serve the people and formulate a concrete action plan. Having played 55 ODIs with 1694 runs, Rayudu's political journey begins with YSRCP.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor stated, "I would love to visit the Ram Temple one day, but not on the day of the grand political extravaganza or before the 2024 elections." Tharoor emphasized viewing temples as places for spiritual connection rather than political platforms, saying, "Speaking for myself as a Hindu, I see a temple as a place to connect with the divine rather than a stage for political theatre." The invitations to Congress leaders for the Ram Temple event have caused internal debates, with Tharoor advocating for individual decisions. He urged against political interpretations of personal choices and highlighted the need for each invitee to make decisions without being labeled "anti-Hindu" or accused of "playing into the BJP's hands."

Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unveiled a campaign song titled 'Fir Aayega Modi' (Modi will be back). Released prior to the Ayodhya Ram Temple inaugural event, the song credits Lord Ram's wisdom and envisions voters returning Prime Minister Narendra Modi to power. Emphasizing key decisions like the Ram Temple construction and Article 370 abrogation, the song targets the Opposition's INDIAbloc. The BJP reinforces Modi as the nation's symbol and the party as its culture, showcasing the Prime Minister's leadership in the upcoming campaign.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is reportedly set to abstain from attending the Ram temple consecration in Ayodhya on January 22. A senior Trinamool Congress leader asserted that neither Banerjee nor any representative from the West Bengal government or the party would be present, emphasizing the party's commitment to avoiding the amalgamation of politics and religion. The decision aligns with the Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s stance, while the event's impact remains divisive within the opposition. The ceremony has drawn varied responses, with some leaders expressing willingness to attend if invited.