Former Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Tuesday stated that his Janata Dal-Secular would not forge any alliance with the ruling BJP in the state. "We will maintain equal distance from both national parties (the BJP and the Congress)," he said. He said that the party is preparing for 2023 Assembly elections. "We have asked the local leaders to take a call (for the Legislative Council polls) as it is convenient for the party in 19 constituencies where the JD-S is not contesting," he maintained. Former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa had sought the support of regional party on many occasions. "The appeals made by Yediyurappa has created confusion. I am clarifying it that there is no alliance with BJP," Kumaraswamy stated. He termed both the Congress and the BJP "political enemies". "We have contested in six seats and we will win all of them. We are interested in winning 2023 Assembly elections," he reiterated. Congress had attacked the JD-S as the "B team" of the BJP. Opposition leader Siddaramaiah alleged that the JD-S fielded Muslim candidates in the recent Hangal and 

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met with the AICC Punjab Affairs In-charge Harish Chaudhary, PPCC President Navjot Singh Sidhu, Punjab Transport Minister

Slamming Amarinder Singh for his "myopic" mindset towards the poor, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi said on Friday that the former CM targeted him because he had raised issues of the common man. Addressing a public gathering at Bhoa near here, the Chief Minister said that as he "comes from a family with humble background, he always impressed upon the former Chief Minister to safeguard the interests of the common man". However, he said, instead of resolving the issues and give reprieve to the poor and the downtrodden, the 'Maharaja' -- as Amarinder Singh, the scion of the erstwhile Patiala Royal family, is called -- started victimising him. Channi said that even then he continued his struggle for the underprivileged masses. The Chief Minister said that only the Congress can take a revolutionary decision to oust a 'Maharaja' and bestow responsibility of the Chief Minister to a common man. However, he said this revolution can sustain only if all the common and needy people stand united to support the Congress. Channi categorically said that the powerful elite class is conniving to destabilise this common man's government by dividing the poor on sectarian lines. Lashing out at the Akalis, the BJP and Amarinder Singh 

Noted Punjab Singer Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu popularly known as Sidhu Moosewala on Friday joined the Congress Party in the presence of Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and PPCC President Navjot Singh Sidhu during a simple but impressive ceremony here at Punjab Bhawan. Welcoming in the party fold, CM Channi said that it is a matter of sheer pride and honour for the people of state that Sidhu Moosewala, who comes from a family with humble background as his father Bhola Singh is an ex-serviceman and mother Charan Kaur, the Sarpanch of the village. He said that Moosewala being a heart throb of millions of his fans across the globe would prove to be an asset for the party as he was connected with the grassroots. He said that Moosewala with his new assignment after entering the arena of politics would serve the people zealously, the way he earned name and fame in the world of music by the dint of hardwork.

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday dared the opposition to list a single decision or an announcement during his tenure, which has not been implemented on the ground. Reiterating his government’s firm commitment to implement each and every decision in the right earnest, CM Channi categorically said that notwithstanding the time constraint his government would leave no stone unturned to resolve the remaining issues so as to cherish the peoples’ aspirations to their satisfaction. Training guns at AAP Supremo Arvind Kejriwal for indulging in mudslinging, CM Channi said though he liked criticism but criticism for the sake of mere criticism is not only unethical but undesirable.

The construction work of the new Central Jail Goindwal Sahib was almost completed and is expected to be handed over to the Jail department in mid-December. The jail will be operational in December, said Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, while convening a high-level meeting to review the matters pertaining to the Jail Department

Six senior Congress leaders in Assam on Thursday lodged a complaint with the police against actress Kangana Ranaut for allegedly making defamatory comments against Mahatma Gandhi and the freedom movement. The Congress leaders, including former MPs Dwijen Sharma and Bolih Kuli, in their complaint lodged at the Dispur police station referring to an article in a newspaper, said that Ranaut severely criticised Mahatma Gandhi, who devoted his life to free India from the British rule. "It is a grave insult towards the martyrs of the freedom movement. The statements made by the actress are also an act of sedition. The statements have broken the hearts of the Indian people as well as the freedom fighters of Assam. It is a grave offence of sedition with the intention to dishonour the freedom fighters," the Congress leaders said.

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) denounces the promulgation of two ordinances allowing the central government to extend the tenures of the directors of CBI and ED from two to five years Both the CBI and ED have been functioning as the political arm of the ruling party to advance its agenda. Leaders of opposition parties are regularly targeted. This step is meant to further subvert

Reacting to a recent statement of SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal that 'don’t punish Akali Dal for his ‘mistakes’ in the sacrilege case', Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Randhawa on Tuesday said that inadvertent mistakes can be forgiven but intentional sins of Badal are unjustifiable and can’t be forgiven. S. Randhawa said that Sukhbir Badal’s confession indicates that Akalis are now afraid of being punished for their nefarious mistakes. He said that people of Punjab hate the Badal family and Akali

Punjab Transport Minister Raja Warring on Sunday reiterated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and PPCC President Navjot Singh Sidhu, Congress will secure a thumping win in the forthcoming 2022 elections.

In a bid to provide financial relief to the cotton picking farm labourers, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Wednesday approved the policy formulated for extending relief to the families of cotton picking farm labourers affected by the damage caused to the cotton crop by the pink bollworm (pest attack). With this decision, 10 percent of total compensation to be given to the farmers on this count would be provided to the families of cotton picking farm labourers affected by the pest attack on 

The top US diplomat for East Asia arrived in Seoul on Wednesday as part of his first Asia trip since taking over in September, with North Korea, the bilateral alliance and economic cooperation likely to top the agenda in discussions with Seoul officials. Daniel Kritenbrink, the US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, arrived at the Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, after wrapping up a four-day trip to Japan, the first leg of his six-day regional swing.

Amid talks of cabinet reshuffle in Rajasthan, former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot on Wednesday met General Secretary Organisation K.C. Venugopal. This comes ahead of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot meeting Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Both the camps are tight-lipped about the political developments in the state. The much-awaited cabinet rejig and appointments had been pending ever since the Covid pandemic broke out. The Assembly bypolls have also been delayed.

Rajasthan's former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot on Wednesday said that the public has given its mandate against the ruling BJP government at the Centre during recent bypolls which makes it clear that people want a change now after getting tormented by the BJP government. Speaking to media in Ajmer, Pilot said, "The three farm laws, increasing price of petrol and diesel, unavailability of fertilisers and rising inflation has affected the masses and left people anguished.

The counting of votes for the Vallabhnagar (Udaipur) and Dhariawad (Pratapgarh) bypolls, which were held on October 30, will start on Tuesday morning from 8 a.m. The Election Commission of India has issued necessary guidelines to the District Election Officers along with the guidelines related to the coronavirus.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday promised that Goa would not be turned into a coal hub, even as he said that the assurances given by the party in its manifesto for the state's 2022 Assembly polls should be treated as a guarantee of delivery of electoral promises. Speaking to a group of fisherfolk in the South Goa beach village of Velsao, Gandhi also said that the coastal state should be preserved, not just for local residents, but also visitors who travel to Goa to enjoy the beaches and environment. "We are very clear that we do not want Goa to be a coal hub, when it does not benefit Goa to be a coal hub. That goes for a lot of the environmental destruction that is taking place here.

An estimated 45 per cent of the 26,50,004 eligible voters cast their ballots till 1 p.m. in the by-polls to three Assembly constituencies and one Lok Sabha seat in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday, the Election Commission said. As per the official report, the highest voting so far was recorded at 54 per cent in Prithvipur, followed by Raigon with 44 per cent while Jobat registered 41 per cent. In Khandwa (Lok Sabha seat), over 41 per cent voters turned up to cast their ballots. Meanwhile, people in three different areas in Khandwa district boycotted elections and put up banners at the entry gate of villages prohibiting the entry of political leaders. They refused to exercise their franchise with the slogan 'No work, No Vote'.

A leader of NTK, the political outfit floated by actor-director, Seeman, was arrested for his remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in a public function at Kanniyakumari district, police said. NTK leader 'Sattai' Duraimurugan, while addressing party workers at Thucklay in Kanniyakumari on Friday, spoke against Stalin and the DMK government while criticising mining of sand and stones in Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari districts use in Kerala's Vizhinjam port.

Today SFI along with other students organisations organised a protest in Panjab University, Chandigarh in support of Bharat Bandh call by SMK. They blocked gate number 2 of PU Campus and closed the market of PU and gathered along to show solidarity to farmers and to fight against the farm bills. We should unite 

`To mark the 400th Prakash Purb of Guru Tegh Bahadur, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday virtually laid the foundation stone of the Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur State University of Law in Tarn Taran town, and directed the Finance Department to ensure sufficient funds for timely operationalisation of the institution.On the occasion, he also launched commemorative gold and silver coins to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur.Making it clear that shortage of finances would not be allowed to hold up education projects in the state, the Chief Minister termed it the most important focus area to enable the youth of Punjab to compete with the world.He lauded the department concerned for enabling the state to become number one in education in the country.Citing education as a priority sector, the Chief Minister said after achieving top position in school education, his next aim is to make Punjab number one in higher education and technical education also.In line with his government's thrust on education, Amarinder Singh said he will inaugurate 18 new fully functional degree colleges and 25 ITIs on October 2.

Expressing solidarity with the protesting sugarcane farmers in Punjab, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday demanded that the Congress government should increase the state assured price (SAP) of sugarcane to a minimum of Rs 380 per quintal, besides calling for the immediate release of all pending payments due to the sugarcane growers. He also announced that in case the state government did not do justice to the sugarcane growers, the next SAD-BSP alliance government would raise the SAP to a minimum of Rs 380 per quintal. "We will include this commitment in our election manifesto as well," he added.In a statement issued here, the SAD President said that it is shocking that after refusing to increase the SAP for sugarcane for four

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday said that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had brought in the anti-defection law to stop public representatives from moving from one party to another, but the present ruling party has been trying to nullify the law by making them resign to switch parties. The practice has been witnessed in many states, leading to change in elected governments, he said in a virtual programme organised on Rajiv Gandhi's birth anniversary. The present government sitting at the Centre cannot face criticism and those criticising the government are being called traitors, he added. Praising Rajiv Gandhi for introducing a "golden era" for the nation, Gehlot said that had he been there still, the history of the nation would have been.....

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha on Wednesday claimed that the Independence Day announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the Minimum Support Price (MSP) has been increased by 1.5 times is incorrect and the announced MSP is not being realised by all farmers despite his commitment in the Parliament. "Farmers of the country have realised fully that they cannot depend on the Prime Minister's hyped claims, false promises and spin-narratives, or his 'jumlas'. The hollow claims around remunerative Minimum Support Prices (MSP) stands exposed fully, in addition to the jumla on 'doubling farmers' incomes'," a release from the Morcha said. "The undependable statements of the Prime Minister lie exposed when we look at the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) reality, more than a year after the pompous announcement. AIF is a 13-year scheme with disbursements till 2023-24. As on August 6, 2021

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday called for a snap election which will take place on September 20.

Puducherry Congress President A.V. Subramanian has said that the BJP-led government at the Centre had spied on the mobile phones of ministers, judicial officers, journalists, senior opposition leaders, lawyers, activists and former heads of Indian security forces through Israeli surveillance software 'Pegasus'.

Citing the heightened cross-border threat and increased drone and other terrorist activities by ISI-backed groups, including plans by Khalistani oufits to target certain farmer leaders, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resume dialogue with the agitating farmers and make concerted efforts to resolve their issues.

The President of Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC), Govind Singh Dotasra, on Wednesday demanded the arrest of senior RSS leader Nimbaram -- who is allegedly involved in a graft case for demanding Rs 20 crore as 'commission' from a firm appointed for door-to-door garbage collection here. Hitting back at Dotasra, the BJP said that targeting the RSS will cost the state government dearly, and warned the Congress government to stop working outside the purview of law to please its 'masters' sitting in Delhi as 'governments' keep changing. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) had on Tuesday arrested suspended Jaipur Greater Municipality (JGM) Mayor and BJP leader Somya Gurjar's husband Rajaram Gurjar and a representative of the BVG Company on corruption charges. The case was registered after an investigation was carried out on the basis of a video clip that went viral on social media, in which Rajaram Gurjar and the company representative were allegedly seen engaged in a conversation related to the Rs 20 crore 'commission' from the firm for getting its payment released from the JGM. In the purported video, RSS' regional pracharak Nimbaram can also be seen sitting with them.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday said the farm economy of Punjab has been "endangered" by the Congress government, with massive power cuts and insufficient canal water threatening to devastate the paddy crop.Talking to the media in Kharar town near here, Badal said even as the top Congress leadership was engaged in an internal feud with Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, the farmers of the state had been left to their fate. He alleged that farmers were barely getting four to five hours of power and that too in gaps instead of the promised eight hour uninterrupted power supply. He said for the first time ever, even canal supply had been disrupted which threatened to result in the destruction of paddy crops over vast swathes in the Malwa region. Badal said even as farmers were suffering, the Chief Minister was busy in keeping the Gandhi family happy and had accepted the directive of Rahul Gandhi to implicate the top SAD leadership in false cases.

Facing massive statewide agitation by farmers over power outages, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday issued directions to ensure eight-hour uninterrupted power supply and to purchase deficient power from outside the state at any cost to prevent any supply disruption in the ongoing sowing season. Chairing a high-level meeting to review the power supply to the farmers during the ongoing kharif season, he directed the Finance Department to release Rs 500 crore to the Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) to tide over the financial crunch faced amid the pandemic. Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal, who was present at the meeting, assured that his department would release these funds without delay.The PSPCL earlier informed the meeting that it was facing a severe financial crunch as a result of slowdown in consumption and revenue collection in the last one year due to the pandemic.

Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks on the occasion of the 46th anniversary of Emergency, the Congress said on Friday that a "PM who has trampled democracy shouldn't preach others". Taking to Twitter, the Prime Minister said, "The #DarkDaysOfEmergency can never be forgotten. The period from 1975 to 1977 witnessed a systematic destruction of institutions. "Let us pledge to do everything possible to strengthen India's democratic spirit, and live up to the values enshrined in our Constitution." In another tweet, Modi said, "This is how Congress trampled over our democratic ethos. We remember all those greats who resisted the Emergency and protected Indian democracy..." Reacting to the Prime Minister's comments, Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala Tweeted: "Says a PM, who is synonymous

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday slammed the Uttar Pradesh government for giving a clean chit to an Agra hospital where 22 patients died after oxygen supply was allegedly cut during a drill. She said that the government has closed all the doors of justice. Priyanka, who is also the in-charge of UP Congress, tweeted: "What an irony. According to reports a hospital in Agra conducted mock drill by allegedly cutting the oxygen supply and the BJP government gave clean chit to the hospital doing mock drill of the inquiry. The paths of government and the hospital have been cleared. By not listening to the complaints of the patients families, the government has shut all hope of justice."

The Cabinet Minister and Senior Congress leader S. Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has termed the SAD-BSP alliance as a rank opportunistic one which is more of a marriage of convenience based on votebank politics sans any ideological foundations.

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday once again took a pot shot at the Central government over the deficit in the data of the people who died due to Covid during the second wave of the pandemic.

In a huge jolt to Amravati Lok Sabha MP and ex-filmstar Navneet Kaur Rana, the Bombay High Court's Nagpur Bench on Tuesday struck down the caste certificate issued to her on grounds that it was obtained fraudulently using fabricated documents.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira today joined the Congress party along with two others. Those joining the Congress include Pirmal Singh Khalsa (MLA from Bhadaur, AAP) and Jagdev Singh Kamalu (MLA from Maur). Before leaving for Delhi, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder