Congress MP Rahul Gandhi visited Amritsar's Golden Temple today and took part in 'kar sewa' by washing dishes along with other volunteers. This comes amid rising Congress-AAP tensions in Punjab over the arrest of Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira. Though AAP and Congress are allied nationally, Khaira's arrest has sparked regional rivalry. Rahul's visit is being seen as a spiritual, private one with the Congress requesting workers to not be physically present. Rahul Gandhi offered prayers at the Golden Temple before serving in the community kitchen. His Amritsar visit signals an attempt to ease intra-party stresses in Punjab.

Opposition leaders in India have criticized the BJP for giving election responsibilities to Lok Sabha member Ramesh Bidhuri in Rajasthan's Tonk district. Bidhuri had faced backlash for derogatory comments against BSP MP Danish Ali during a parliamentary session. Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal accused the BJP of rewarding hate by appointing Bidhuri in a district with a significant Muslim population. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh and TMC MP Mahua Moitra also questioned Bidhuri's new role. The move is seen as an attempt to sway Gurjar votes in the region. Bidhuri had earlier received a show-cause notice from the BJP over his remarks, though no further action was taken.

Speaking at the 20th Vibrant Gujarat Summit, PM Modi recalled how the previous UPA government was indifferent and obstructed the state's progress. He accused central ministers of refusing to attend the summit and intimidating foreign investors from investing in Gujarat. Despite the lack of cooperation and incentives, investors still came due to good governance, fair policies and transparency under his leadership, PM Modi said. He blamed the then central government for seeing Gujarat's development through a political lens, creating roadblocks and not extending cooperation. PM Modi said central ministers would assure him of attending but later refuse due to pressure. He highlighted how Gujarat continued its upward trajectory through investors' faith despite the UPA government's attempts to undermine its growth story.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi sack the "incompetent" BJP chief minister of Manipur as a first step to control the ongoing turmoil. In a tweet, Kharge alleged that violence against women and children has been weaponized in Manipur, turning it into a battlefield under BJP rule. He slammed Modi for not visiting Manipur despite 147 days of suffering, and said the horrific targeting of students has shocked the nation. Kharge said it's apparent that violence against women and children was used as a weapon in this conflict. He stated that the prime minister must sack the incompetent BJP CM as the first move to curb any further turmoil in Manipur. The Congress has been criticizing the government over the Manipur situation.

  The BJP has announced 79 candidates for the upcoming Madhya Pradesh assembly elections. However, the Congress party has criticized the BJP for not naming Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in its second list of candidates, calling it a "height of disrespect." The BJP has fielded Union ministers and prominent party leaders in the state polls, including those who have never contested assembly elections. This move signifies the BJP's open leadership approach in Madhya Pradesh. Three Union ministers and four MPs were named in the second list, raising eyebrows within the party, with some candidates expressing surprise and reluctance.

The BJP has appointed Ramesh Bidhuri as election in-charge for the Tonk constituency in Rajasthan, where Congress leader Sachin Pilot may contest the upcoming polls. Bidhuri recently stirred controversy by shouting abusive anti-Muslim remarks against BSP MP Danish Ali in Parliament. His comments were expunged after drawing outrage, and opposition parties demanded action and his suspension. The BJP issued Bidhuri a show cause notice over the remarks. Despite the row, his appointment as poll in-charge for Tonk, a Pilot bastion, has raised eyebrows. The Rajasthan assembly elections are expected in November this year. Bidhuri's anti-minority comments have been called an attack on the constitution and attempt to bring communal hatred into Parliament.

BJP MP Maneka Gandhi has accused ISKCON of selling cows to butchers in a viral video. Gandhi claimed that ISKCON runs cow shelters and gets benefits from the government, but found no cows or calves at their Anantpur Goshala. She alleged that ISKCON sold all the cows to butchers. In response, ISKCON spokesperson Yudhistir Govinda Das denied the allegations on Twitter, stating that ISKCON has been at the forefront of cow protection globally, and serves cows for life rather than selling them to butchers.

The BJP is considering fielding prominent central leaders in the upcoming Rajasthan elections, similar to its recent strategy in Madhya Pradesh. Party sources say the tactic could present a united front and introduce new faces ahead of the polls. The names being discussed include Union ministers Gajendra Shekhawat, Arjun Ram Meghwal and others. This approach echoes the BJP's focus on Prime Minister Modi's leadership over state issues and chief minister candidates. It also sends a message to incumbent CM Vasundhara Raje that she may not lead the party this time. The opposition Congress has criticized the strategy as desperate.

  Speculation surrounds Shivraj Singh Chouhan's role in the upcoming Madhya Pradesh election as the longest-serving chief minister of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While top BJP sources deny reports that Chouhan will be denied a ticket, the ambiguity surrounding his immediate political future remains. The BJP's unusual move to field three union ministers and a national general secretary in the state election has raised questions about Chouhan's position. The party emphasizes "curbing nepotism" and winning seats, requiring regional leaders to prove their worth for state elections. The BJP faces a united opposition in Madhya Pradesh, making the election crucial.

Ahead of the Telangana assembly elections, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge along with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi unveiled six guarantees that the party will implement if elected to power. Sonia explained the 'Mahalakshmi' guarantee which promises Rs 2,500 monthly financial aid for women, gas cylinders at Rs 500 and free TSRTC bus travel for women. Rahul outlined other guarantees related to housing, free electricity, education, healthcare, pensions and farmer welfare. Rahul asserted that the guarantees will be fulfilled in the first cabinet meeting of the Congress government. The promises aim to showcase Congress' commitment to inclusive development for all sections of society in Telangana, in line with Sonia's dream of seeing a Congress government that works for the people.