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.

AAP leader Atishi will take oath as Delhi's third woman Chief Minister and the youngest, succeeding Arvind Kejriwal who resigned. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at Raj Bhavan today at 4:30 pm. Atishi will be joined by five MLAs: Gopal Rai, Kailash Gahlot, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Imran Hussain, and newcomer Mukesh Ahlawat. Previously, Atishi held 13 key portfolios, including finance, revenue, PWD, power, and education. With Delhi assembly polls scheduled for February 2025, Atishi's tenure will be brief. The new council of ministers may undergo portfolio changes. The ceremony will be low-key, marking a significant transition in Delhi's governance.

The controversy over alleged adulteration of Tirupati laddoos escalated as Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy rejected claims by Chandrababu Naidu that contamination occurred during his tenure. Recent lab reports revealed animal fat in the prasadam, prompting the central government to seek a detailed report. The temple management confirmed various contaminants, including pig fat and beef tallow, and described the quality as 'pathetic.' A four-member committee has been formed to oversee ghee quality, while political leaders demand accountability amid growing public concern over the sanctity of the revered offerings.

Former Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy has denied accusations by current CM Chandrababu Naidu that animal fat was used in Tirupati's sacred laddoos during his tenure. Reddy claimed the ghee used was thoroughly tested and certified by NABL. He accused Naidu of twisting facts for political gain and said he would write to Prime Minister Modi and the Chief Justice of India. The controversy, which has reached the Andhra Pradesh High Court, has sparked significant debate, with Union Health Minister JP Nadda seeking a detailed report.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address a rally in Srinagar today, part of the ongoing campaign for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. The rally will be held at Sher-e-Kashmir Park, where 30,000 supporters are expected. The BJP has fielded candidates in 19 out of 47 constituencies in the Kashmir region. Modi's speech will focus on thanking the public for their enthusiastic turnout during Phase 1 of voting, which saw a 61% voter participation. He will also meet with BJP candidates to boost morale ahead of the remaining election phases.

The Modi Cabinet has approved the 'One Nation One Election' proposal, which seeks to align Lok Sabha and state assembly elections to a single schedule. The high-level committee's report on this initiative, presented to the Cabinet on Wednesday, recommends simultaneous elections for both central and state legislatures. The bill for this proposal is expected to be introduced in the Winter Session of Parliament. Headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, the committee's report was submitted to President Droupadi Murmu on March 15, 2024. It also suggests creating an 'Implementation Group' to oversee the execution of these recommendations.

The Congress party has filed a police complaint against Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu for allegedly labeling Rahul Gandhi as the "number one terrorist of the country". Congress leader Ajay Maken submitted the complaint at Delhi's Tughlak Road Police Station, also naming BJP's Tarvinder Singh Marwah, Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, and Uttar Pradesh minister Raghuraj Singh. The complaint cites Bittu's remark as "promoting enmity and hatred" and requests action under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. This development follows a heated exchange between Bittu and Gandhi over the latter's comments on Sikh issues during his US visit.

Wrestler-turned-politician Vinesh Phogat is running an intense election campaign in Julana, addressing about 10 rallies daily. Despite the overwhelming support, she still feels the heartbreak of missing an Olympic medal in Paris due to being 100 grams overweight before the final. In an interview with The Indian Express, she explained how her political journey began after realizing that change requires power, especially after her protest against Brij Bhushan Singh. Despite initial hesitations, Phogat says she has gained love and respect, particularly from women. She believes joining politics was a part of her destiny, driven by her desire to bring about meaningful change.

Jammu and Kashmir's Assembly elections began Wednesday, with the first phase witnessing voting in 24 of 90 constituencies, comprising 16 in Kashmir and 8 in Jammu. This marks the region's first electoral process in 10 years and the first since the abrogation of Article 370. Key contestants include the National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kashmir, while the BJP and Congress compete in Jammu. A Congress-NC seat-sharing agreement is in place, with Congress contesting 4 seats in Kashmir and 4 in Jammu, and NC contesting 12 and 6 seats, respectively. Vote counting is scheduled for October 8.

Atishi, 43, is set to become Delhi’s youngest chief minister and the third woman to hold the position. She will succeed Arvind Kejriwal, who resigned following a unanimous decision by AAP legislators. Atishi, who currently holds multiple key portfolios, has been instrumental in maintaining AAP’s stability during Kejriwal’s imprisonment. Her appointment makes her the second current woman chief minister in India, after West Bengal’s Mamata Banerjee. Sheila Dikshit, Delhi’s longest-serving CM, and Sushma Swaraj, who briefly held the position in 1998, were her predecessors.