West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya admitted that the party has not yet been able to eliminate extortion in the state despite being in power for 2 months. Speaking at an industry event in Kolkata, he said claiming otherwise would be false. Bhattacharya acknowledged that some people within the BJP were displaying the same tendencies the party had criticised earlier. He also warned party workers against attacking opposition leaders, saying such actions could backfire. Stressing the need to keep politics out of business, he said the government would soon consult investors, entrepreneurs and academics before finalising a new industrial policy to boost investment. (PC: India Today)

Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal intensified his campaign against the Centre's E20 petrol policy, announcing he will march to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence on August 4 with 100 people "not afraid of lathis". Speaking at the National Town Hall Against E20 in New Delhi, Kejriwal said the delegation would submit printouts of petitions signed by over two lakh citizens opposing the policy. He alleged the 20% ethanol-blended fuel rollout was linked to the recent India-US trade deal and claimed it was being implemented "to keep America happy". AAP leaders also highlighted the heavy deployment of Rapid Action Force and Delhi Police personnel outside the Constitution Club venue.

Shehzad Poonawalla has resigned from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), where he served as a national spokesperson, according to reports. Although neither Poonawalla nor the BJP has issued an official statement explaining the decision, he updated his X profile by removing all references to the party while describing himself as a lifelong follower of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Poonawalla joined the BJP after leaving the Congress in 2017 and became one of the party's prominent television debaters. His resignation has sparked political speculation, with observers awaiting an official clarification on the reasons behind his exit. 

AAP MP Raghav Chadha welcomed the passage of the Anti-Paper Leak Bill in Parliament, saying the government had finally responded to the concerns of millions of students. Speaking during the debate, Chadha remarked, “Govt heard, govt delivered,” while stressing that repeated examination paper leaks had shattered the dreams of aspirants and eroded trust in the recruitment system. He urged strict implementation of the new law to ensure transparent and fair examinations across the country. The legislation aims to curb exam malpractices through tougher penalties, stronger investigations, and enhanced accountability, protecting the interests of students and job seekers. (PC: PTI)

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has backed Rahul Gandhi's allegations against Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the July 20 protest crackdown. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said Shah "must be held accountable" for the alleged use of force against students. In the Lok Sabha, Gandhi claimed Shah "ordered the students of India to be shot." The BJP rejected the allegation. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju asked Gandhi to "show the order" and withdraw his remarks. Union Minister Jitendra Singh also denied any firing, saying "no shots were fired" and only tear gas was used.

Voting began on Thursday for the Bankipur Assembly bypoll in Bihar. Around 3.8 lakh voters will decide the fate of 26 candidates. Jan Suraaj chief Prashant Kishor is contesting his first election against BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha. The seat became vacant after BJP leader Nitin Nabin was elected to the Rajya Sabha. Polling will continue until 6 pm, and votes will be counted on August 3. During voting, Kishor alleged that Bihar Police detained several of his supporters at the BJP's request. Police had not responded to the allegations at the time of reporting.

Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the police action against student protesters at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. Gandhi alleged that pellet guns and excessive force were used against peaceful demonstrators and demanded Shah's removal, saying he was either responsible or incompetent. He also accused the government of silencing Opposition voices in Parliament and questioned its handling of student concerns. Promising an "Opposition guarantee", Gandhi said every injured student would receive justice and those responsible would be held accountable. (PC: HT)

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday refused to apologise for accusing Union Home Minister Amit Shah of being responsible for alleged police action against student protesters. Gandhi claimed that force, including firing and use of weapons, was authorised against students, triggering a major uproar in the Lok Sabha. BJP leaders rejected the allegations, demanded evidence and an apology, stating that such decisions are taken according to legal procedures. The confrontation intensified political tensions during the parliamentary debate over student protests and the NEET paper leak issue. (PC: India Today)

A heated confrontation erupted in the Lok Sabha after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah "ordered the shooting of students" during the recent NEET protest crackdown. Gandhi also questioned Shah's absence from the House and accused the government of using force against students. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju strongly rejected the allegation, demanding proof and calling for the remarks to be expunged. Gandhi also criticised the RSS's role in education, triggering further protests from Treasury benches. Speaker Om Birla termed parts of Gandhi's speech "unparliamentary" and ordered the disputed remarks to be removed from the proceedings. (PC: HT)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi sharply criticised the BJP's newly appointed Education Minister during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, calling him a "defender of rapists" over his alleged past remarks regarding the release of convicts in the Bilkis Bano case. Gandhi questioned the government's decision to appoint him to a key ministry responsible for shaping the country's future, arguing that it sent the wrong message on justice and women's safety. The BJP strongly rejected the allegations, demanding evidence and accusing the Congress of making baseless political attacks to divert attention from substantive issues. (PC: X)