Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India, accusing it of colluding with the BJP to rig the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Presenting what he called “proof” of “vote chori,” Gandhi outlined five methods of alleged manipulation, including duplicate voter entries, fake addresses, bulk registrations, faulty voter photos, and Form 6 misuse . He cited dramatic voter roll spikes—over one crore new additions between Lok Sabha and Assembly elections—and claimed the EC obstructed transparency by denying digital data access and destroying CCTV footage . The BJP dismissed the allegations as baseless, while the CPI backed Gandhi’s demand for accountability. (PC: The Hindu)

India's Opposition launched a scathing attack on PM Narendra Modi after US President Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff on Indian goods, citing continued oil imports from Russia. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called it “economic blackmail,” while Shashi Tharoor urged retaliatory tariffs. TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee called the move a “diplomatic failure” and mocked Modi’s “56-inch chest” rhetoric. Leaders from Shiv Sena, AIMIM, and others echoed concerns, warning of job losses and economic damage. The Ministry of External Affairs called the move “unfair and unjustified” and vowed to defend India’s interests. The tariffs take effect in 20 days. (PC: HT)

Following Donald Trump's announcement of an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports—raising the total to 50%—the Congress party launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh posted on X, stating: “Indira Gandhi looked Nixon in the eye. Not huglomacy!” He criticised Modi’s “personalised and headline-grabbing” diplomacy with Trump, calling it an “abysmal failure.” India called the tariffs “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” asserting its right to energy security. Russia defended India, rejecting US pressure as illegal. The new tariffs, targeting India’s Russian oil trade, will take effect on August 27. (PC: India Today)

Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee resigned as the party’s chief whip in Lok Sabha following fellow MP Mahua Moitra’s controversial “pig” jibe during a podcast. Moitra, reacting to Banerjee’s comments on her marriage to Pinaki Mishra, said, “You don’t wrestle with a pig because the pig likes it and you get dirty.” Banerjee condemned the remark as dehumanising and abusive, asserting that such language reflects toxic double standards. His resignation was accepted by the party, which appointed Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar as the new chief whip and Satabdi Roy as deputy leader. The episode has triggered a leadership reshuffle and exposed deep fissures within Trinamool’s parliamentary ranks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was felicitated by NDA MPs in Parliament on Tuesday for the Indian Army's success in Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. Chants of “Har Har Mahadev” echoed during the NDA Parliamentary Party meeting as MPs praised both Operation Sindoor and Operation Mahadev. The NDA passed a resolution lauding the military’s actions. Modi is expected to outline plans for the upcoming Tiranga Yatra and the NDA’s strategy for the ongoing Monsoon Session. Meanwhile, Parliament continues to face opposition protests over the Election Commission's controversial Bihar voter roll revision process. 

Suspended JD(S) leader and former MP Prajwal Revanna has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Special Court for People's Representatives in Karnataka. The conviction stems from the rape of a 48-year-old domestic worker at his family’s farmhouse in Holenarasipura and later at his Bengaluru residence in 2021. The court imposed fines totaling ₹11.5 lakh, with ₹11.25 lakh directed to the victim. Revanna was booked under multiple IPC sections including 376(2)(k), 376(2)(n), and IT Act Section 66E. He has been assigned prisoner number 15528 and is lodged in a high-security cell. This is one of four sexual abuse cases against him, with more proceedings expected. (PC: Wikipedia)

A Delhi Police letter sparked anger after it called Bengali a "Bangladeshi language." West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee shared the letter, calling it insulting and unconstitutional. The letter was linked to the arrest of eight suspected Bangladeshi nationals in Delhi. Mamata said it disrespects Bengali, which is one of India’s 22 official languages. TMC leaders, including Abhishek Banerjee and Mahua Moitra, also criticised the Centre. BJP hit back, saying Mamata is playing politics. Celebrities like Srijit Mukherji and Rupam Islam also voiced anger. Delhi Police has not yet commented. The issue has stirred debate across political and cultural lines. (PC: India Today)

The Election Commission has issued a notice to RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav after BJP alleged he possesses two voter ID cards, calling it a criminal offense. During a press conference, Yadav claimed his name was missing from the draft electoral roll and cited EPIC number RAB2916120, which the poll body said doesn’t officially exist. The Commission confirmed his actual EPIC number is RAB0456228 and asked him to submit the original of the other card. BJP’s Sambit Patra accused Yadav of lying under oath. This comes amid protests over Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision, which removed 65 lakh names. (PC: India Today)

BJP leader and West Bengal Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari has alleged that the state’s electoral rolls contain nearly one crore illegal entries, including Rohingya immigrants, Bangladeshi Muslim voters, deceased individuals, duplicate entries, and fake voters. He urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to conduct a Special Intensive Revision (SIR), similar to the ongoing exercise in Bihar. Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar backed the demand, citing past voter roll cleanups. Meanwhile, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee slammed the move as politically motivated, calling it “Silent Invisible Rigging,” and accused the ECI of bias. The controversy has sparked a fierce political debate over voter legitimacy and democratic integrity in West Bengal. (PC: The Indian Express & The Hindu)

A Bengaluru special court on August 2, 2025 sentenced former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna to life imprisonment for raping a 47‑ or 48‑year‑old domestic worker at his family’s farmhouse, exploiting his position of authority . Courts convicted him under multiple IPC sections including repeated rape, sexual harassment, assault to disrobe, voyeurism, criminal intimidation, and IT Act violations for filming the assault—supported by DNA and video evidence . He was also fined ₹5–11 lakh, directed as compensation to the survivor . Revanna broke down in court saying his “only mistake was growing fast in politics”. (PC: Facebook)