The Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (NC) secured three out of four Rajya Sabha seats in the Union Territory, marking a significant political triumph. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the remaining seat, preventing a complete NC sweep amid reports of cross-voting. The results highlight NC’s continued dominance in regional politics while underscoring the BJP’s limited yet strategic foothold in Jammu. The elections, closely watched due to their political sensitivity, may influence upcoming Assembly polls and reshape the power balance between the two main parties in Jammu and Kashmir. (PC: The Hindu)  

In a significant political development ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) has officially announced RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as its Chief Ministerial candidate. The announcement was made during a joint press conference in Patna, attended by alliance leaders including Congress veteran Ashok Gehlot. This declaration follows weeks of internal deliberations and seat-sharing negotiations within the opposition bloc. Additionally, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani was named as the deputy chief ministerial candidate, highlighting the alliance's commitment to inclusive representation. The elections are scheduled for November 6 and 11, setting the stage for a competitive contest between the Mahagathbandhan and the ruling NDA alliance. (PC: NDTV)

After prolonged negotiations, the Mahagathbandhan alliance in Bihar finalised its seat-sharing formula for the upcoming 2025 Assembly elections. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) will contest 135 seats, the Congress will field candidates in 61, and the Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP) will contest 16. The discussions, marked by internal disagreements and candidate withdrawals, were resolved after interventions from Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rahul Gandhi. The agreement ends weeks of uncertainty and solidifies the alliance’s strategy against the ruling NDA in Bihar’s high-stakes political battle. (PC: PTI)    

The Congress on Thursday released its first list of 48 candidates for the Bihar Assembly elections. Bihar Congress president Rajesh Ram will contest from the SC-reserved seat of Kutumba. The list includes Bijendra Chaudhary from Muzaffarpur, Amita Bhushan from Begusarai, and Kaushelendra Kumar from Nalanda. The seat-sharing deal with Mahagathbandhan allies is yet to be finalised. In a post on X, Rajesh Ram thanked the party and said the “entire Kutumba family” would fight together. He expressed confidence that the Congress and Mahagathbandhan alliance would form the next government in Bihar. (PC: HT)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge spoke with RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav to resolve the Bihar assembly seat-sharing dispute. The RJD had initially offered 52 seats to Congress, which wanted at least 60. Reports say RJD may now agree to 61 seats while retaining key constituencies like Kahalgaon, Narkatiyaganj, and Vasaliganj. Talks stalled at the state level, pushing discussions to national leaders. The Congress released its first candidate list even before finalising the deal. Left allies and other parties are expected to get remaining seats in the 243-member assembly. Outcome of talks is awaited. (PC: India Today)

The NDA alliance in Bihar is under strain after the BJP released its first list of 71 candidates. JD(U) objected to giving its seats — Sonbarsa, Rajgir, Ekma, and Morwa — to Chirag Paswan’s LJP(RV) and fielded its own candidates. RLM chief Upendra Kushwaha also protested after Mahua was allotted to Paswan’s party and withheld symbols for his candidates. The BJP further refused LJP(RV) key seats like Danapur and Lalganj. The dispute has delayed the NDA’s campaign plans ahead of the November 6 and 11 assembly polls. (PC: India Today)

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a petition seeking a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s “vote chori” (vote theft) allegations from the last general elections. The PIL was filed by advocate Rohit Pandey, who asked the court to order a CBI investigation. The bench, led by Justice Surya Kant, said the petitioner should approach the Election Commission of India. Rahul Gandhi had claimed over one lakh votes were irregular in the Mahadevapura segment of Bangalore Central. The Election Commission rejected his claims, saying election results can only be challenged through a formal High Court petition. (PC: X)

The father of a 23-year-old MBBS student gang-raped in Durgapur, West Bengal, criticized Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her remarks on women stepping out late at night. Banerjee had questioned how the student left the campus at 12:30 am, while police records show the incident occurred around 8 pm. The father said, “She is also a woman. How can she say such an irresponsible thing?” He added that his daughter’s safety and career come first and plans to take her back to Odisha. Four people have been arrested. West Bengal police promised strict action and expressed deep regret. (PC: NDTV)

A Delhi court has ordered charges against RJD leaders Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi Yadav in the IRCTC scam case. The case involves alleged corruption in hotel maintenance contracts for IRCTC properties in Ranchi and Puri. The court said Lalu Yadav abused his position as Railway Minister and engaged in conspiracy to undervalue land, which was later transferred to his family. Rabri Devi and Tejashwi face charges of cheating and conspiracy. All three have pleaded not guilty. The case will now go to trial, with the CBI presenting evidence of manipulated tenders and fraudulent land transfers.(PC: India Today)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee faced criticism after commenting on the alleged gangrape of a medical student in Durgapur. She said, “How did she come out at 12:30 AM?” and suggested colleges should restrict women from going out at night. The incident involved a second-year student from Odisha, who was reportedly attacked while stepping out with a classmate. Three accused have been arrested, and the survivor is in stable condition. Mamata added that rape cases must be condemned everywhere. Opposition leaders called her remarks insensitive, accusing her of shifting blame onto the victim instead of focusing on the perpetrators. (PC: News18)