Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticised the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government after videos showed giant industrial fans being used to dry waterlogged sections of the ₹4,200-crore Kanpur–Lucknow Expressway. Calling it a "new wind of BJP progress," he mocked the administration on social media, questioning the quality of infrastructure despite massive public spending. The incident sparked political controversy, with the opposition alleging poor construction standards and mismanagement. The BJP defended the project, while officials said the measures were temporary to restore traffic quickly following heavy rainfall. The episode has intensified debate over infrastructure quality and accountability. (PC: X)

The Narendra Modi government has stepped up efforts to break the Parliament deadlock by reaching out to Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi over the proposed FCRA Amendment Bill and the delimitation-linked Constitution Amendment Bill. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju held two meetings with Rahul Gandhi within 10 days as the Monsoon Session remains disrupted over the NEET paper leak protests, police action on students and the alleged Ram Temple donation theft. While the Centre is seeking Opposition support for key legislation, Congress has maintained that Parliament can function only after Home Minister Amit Shah addresses its demands. (PC: India Today)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday defended student protesters, saying they “do not need to apologise to anyone” because they were standing up for the Constitution and the idea of India. Speaking outside 10 Janpath in New Delhi, Gandhi said the country's education system is failing and requires urgent reforms. He alleged that the protesters were peaceful but were assaulted, threatened and forced to issue public apologies. Gandhi also criticised the alleged harassment of students and their families, calling it unacceptable. Student activist Ria Ahir claimed she prevented the unlawful detention of several students and urged the media to change its narrative. (PC: HT)

The youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has ruled out an immediate entry into electoral politics, saying its priority is to build a nationwide social movement focused on youth concerns. Founder Abhijeet Dipke told Reuters the organisation would consult supporters before deciding its future direction, adding that any political party would only be formed if there was overwhelming public demand. Dipke said young Indians had lost faith in political institutions, courts and the media, and CJP wanted to restore accountability rather than seek power. After leading protests over exam paper leaks that prompted the Education Minister's resignation, the movement plans to keep championing issues affecting India's youth instead of contesting elections. (PC: Reuters)

Udhayanidhi Stalin was released on Tuesday after the Madras High Court directed the Tamil Nadu Police to free him once questioning was completed. The case is linked to his alleged "double-meaning" remark during a protest meeting in Thanjavur. During the hearing, Advocate General Vijay Narayan said the state did not plan to seek judicial custody. "The police only intend to question him and release him on station bail," he told the court. The High Court also directed Udhayanidhi to cooperate with the investigation whenever required. Police have booked him under several sections, including charges related to obscene remarks and insulting the modesty of a woman. (PC: NDTV)

Jan Suraaj Party leader Prashant Kishor said his priority is Bihar’s development, not opposition unity, a day after winning the Bankipur Assembly bypoll. Kishor defeated the BJP candidate by over 19,000 votes and promised visible improvements in the constituency within 3 months. He said his mission is to improve education, create jobs and reduce migration from the state. Kishor also pledged to tackle local corruption and strengthen government schools in Bankipur. Calling the result a mandate for change, he thanked voters and said Bihar needs leadership focused on development rather than politics. (PC: NDTV)

DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin was arrested from his Chennai residence on Tuesday after police registered a case over his alleged vulgar remarks during a Cauvery water protest in Thanjavur. The comments, reportedly made after supporters chanted actor Trisha's name, sparked widespread criticism from the ruling TVK and the BJP. Police detained Stalin amid heavy security outside his home, while DMK workers staged protests. The DMK termed the action politically motivated, with senior leaders insisting Stalin had done nothing wrong and accusing the government of misusing the police to target the opposition. (PC: India Today)

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal is set to lead a protest march with around 100 supporters from the party headquarters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence in New Delhi, demanding the withdrawal of the Centre's E20 petrol policy. Kejriwal plans to submit petitions opposing ethanol-blended fuel, alleging the government is promoting E20 under pressure from US President Donald Trump, a claim the Centre has not accepted. The protest follows an AAP town hall on the issue held two days earlier. Delhi Police said no permission has been granted for the march and security arrangements are in place to prevent any unauthorised procession toward the Prime Minister's residence. (PC: Times Now)

Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor said his victory in the Bankipur bypoll was a message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah rather than just an election result. Kishor won the seat by 19,324 votes, ending the BJP's three-decade hold on the constituency. He urged the BJP leadership to appoint an honest, capable and clean Chief Minister for Bihar and focus on education, jobs, healthcare and industrial development. Kishor said Bihar deserved greater attention from the Centre and stressed that reducing migration and improving governance should become the state's top priorities. (PC: The Indian Express)

Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor secured his party's maiden electoral victory by defeating the BJP in Bihar's prestigious Bankipur Assembly bypoll, ending the saffron party's uninterrupted 30-year dominance in the constituency. Kishor defeated BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha by 19,324 votes, polling 64,151 votes against Sinha's 44,827, while RJD's Rekha Gupta finished a distant third with 14,273 votes. After establishing an early lead during counting, Kishor steadily widened the margin to seal a landmark win in one of the BJP's strongest bastions. Calling it a historic mandate, Kishor said his immediate priority was to honour the trust placed in him by the people of Bankipur. (PC: PTI)