Union Home Minister Amit Shah appealed to voters in Jammu and Kashmir as the second phase of polling began. He encouraged residents to participate in large numbers to help create a developed and terror-free region. In a post on 'X', Shah urged voters to support a government dedicated to the youth's future, women's rights, and regional development. He emphasized the need to strengthen democracy and eliminate terrorism, nepotism, and corruption in Jammu and Kashmir. Shah's message highlights the government's commitment to promoting stability and progress in the region during this critical election period.

Voters in 26 constituencies across six districts of Jammu and Kashmir are heading to the polls today for the second phase of the Assembly elections, amid heightened security. Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is among 239 candidates contesting. The People’s Democratic Party has fielded the highest number of candidates (26), followed by the National Conference (20), BJP (17), and Congress (6), with 170 independents also in the fray. Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged voters to participate, emphasizing the importance of their role in strengthening democracy. He also congratulated first-time voters in a tweet, encouraging them to cast their ballots.

The BJP has distanced itself from Lok Sabha MP Kangana Ranaut's remarks advocating for the reinstatement of three farm laws recently repealed by the central government. Party spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia clarified that Ranaut's statement, made during a press conference in her constituency Mandi, does not reflect the party's views and she was not authorized to speak on its behalf. Ranaut argued that the laws were beneficial to farmers, urging them to demand their return. This follows earlier controversial comments linking farmer protests to a "Bangladesh-like situation" in India.

In a surprise move, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has named former WWE wrestler Kavita Dalal as its candidate for the Julana Assembly seat in Haryana. Dalal will face off against Congress's Vinesh Phogat, an Olympic wrestler, and BJP's Captain Yogesh Bairagi, a former commercial pilot. Dalal, India's first woman WWE signee, aims to attract Jat votes, leveraging her wrestling background. She emphasized her focus on addressing local issues, stating her fight is "not against Vinesh, but against the difficulties people face" in Julana. The announcement marks a strategic shift for AAP after alliance talks with Congress broke down.

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi ignited a political storm by asserting that secularism is a "European concept" with no place in India. Speaking in Kanyakumari, he criticized the "wrong interpretation of secularism" as a fraud against the people. Opposition leaders, including Congress MP Manickam Tagore, condemned his remarks as unconstitutional. DMK's TKS Elangovan defended secularism as essential in India, citing its diverse religions. CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat highlighted that secularism is fundamental to the Indian Constitution, urging Ravi to recognize its significance. The controversy underscores ongoing debates about secularism's role in Indian society.

Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu ordered a high-level investigation into the alleged use of animal fat in Tirupati laddoos during Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSRCP government. Naidu accused Jagan of "shamelessly trying to justify his crime" and altering ghee procurement standards. Jagan countered the claims, calling Naidu a "habitual liar" and writing to PM Modi for intervention. TTD admitted they recently began testing ghee for adulteration, lacking prior in-house capabilities. The controversy has reached both Andhra Pradesh High Court and the Supreme Court.

AAP leader Atishi officially assumed the role of Delhi Chief Minister, symbolizing her continued loyalty to Arvind Kejriwal by placing an empty chair beside her. Drawing a parallel to Bharat from the Ramayana, she vowed to govern in Kejriwal’s absence with the same dedication. Atishi, the eighth and third woman CM of Delhi after Sheila Dikshit and Sushma Swaraj, pledged to lead the city for the next four months. Alongside her, five cabinet ministers—four from the previous ministry and one new face—were sworn in. Atishi emphasized her commitment to carry forward Kejriwal’s vision during this interim period.

Atishi, 42, became Delhi's youngest Chief Minister on Saturday, marking the fourth consecutive Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. She is the third woman to hold the position, after Sushma Swaraj and Sheila Dikshit. Five cabinet ministers - Saurabh Bhardwaj, Gopal Rai, Kailash Gehlot, Imran Hussain, and Mukesh Ahlawat - also took oath. Atishi's parents, Tripta Wahi and Vijay Singh, attended the ceremony at Raj Niwas. With this, Atishi becomes India's 17th female Chief Minister. Her tenure will be brief, as Delhi's assembly elections are scheduled for February 2025.

Atishi was sworn in as the youngest Chief Minister of Delhi, replacing Arvind Kejriwal, who resigned following the Supreme Court's bail order in the excise policy case. Atishi, representing the Kalkaji constituency, leads a council of ministers including Gopal Rai, Saurabh Bharadwaj, and Mukesh Ahlawat. Kejriwal’s resignation, confirmed by President Droupadi Murmu, ends his tenure, although AAP plans to make him CM again. Atishi’s government will address pending policies ahead of Delhi's 2025 elections. The assembly will hold a session on September 26-27 to prove her majority.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while addressing an election rally in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, stated that the border areas are peaceful as Pakistan fears Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has refrained from firing across the border. Shah commended the BJP government's efforts to combat terrorism in the region by replacing guns and stones in the hands of young people with laptops, highlighting development initiatives. He assured the public that the government would not allow guns to echo in the hills of Jammu. The rally was held in support of BJP candidate Murtaza Khan in the ongoing elections in the Union territory.