Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab's Tarn Taran By-election candidate Harmeet Singh Sandhu launched a scathing attack on the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP and Congress, accusing them of being the real culprits behind Punjab’s drug crisis. Sandhu said that both parties protected drug mafias for years and destroyed the future of Punjab’s youth for their personal political gains.

“Punjab was pushed into darkness by the chacha-bhatija (Captain Amarinder Singh–Bikram Majithia) and jija-sala (Sukhbir Badal–Majithia) regimes,” said Sandhu. “While they ruled the state alternately, they worked hand in glove with drug smugglers. Their politics thrived on the pain of our youth and the tears of thousands of families devastated by addiction.”

Huma Qureshi, who is set to reprise her iconic character of Rani Bharti in the season four of “Maharani”, has said that her journey as an actor has strengthened her connection with humanity rather than altering her political outlook.

Having played diverse roles in women's leadership, how has this evolution shaped her own understanding and has she developed any curiosity about leadership, politics, or governance in real life, Huma told: “No, my political views have not changed.”

She added: “I think I'm very much a humanist, and I think humanity is above all. In fact, doing the show has made me connect with my humanity on a much deeper level.”

With the industry changing dramatically in terms of storytelling and representation of women, the actress says that she always wants to play real and three dimensional strong women on screen.

The makers of “Maharani 4” on Wednesday unveiled the trailer of the series on Wednesday and it showcases an explosive storyline that promises a fierce battle that will reshape the future of Rani Bharti’s empire.

The upcoming new season has roped in two new names Rajeshwari Sachdev and Darsheel Safary.

Rajeshwari said that “Maharani” isn’t just a show, it’s a powerful narrative that reflects the pulse of politics and power.

Just ahead of the Tarn Taran by-election, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD, Badal) suffered a major setback as its leader and sitting Sarpanch Jashandeep Singh, along with many of his supporters, joined the Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday.

Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, in the presence of Working President Amansher Singh Sherry Kalsi, Sarwan Singh Dhun, and State General Secretary Harchand Singh Barsat, formally inducted Jashandeep Singh and his associates, Panch Avtar Singh, Panch Davinder Singh, Panch Pargat Singh, Panch Darshan Singh, Panch Narinder Pal Kaur, Baljit Kaur, and Kanwar Jagdeep Singh Ladda Chhichrewal, into the Aam Aadmi Party.

Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar assured all newly joined leaders that they would be given due respect and recognition within the party. Attacking opposition parties, Bhullar said that the Akali Dal, Congress, and BJP only indulge in “politics of mudslinging,” whereas the Aam Aadmi Party practices the politics of work and performance.” He highlighted that under AAP’s 600 units free electricity guarantee, 82% of households in Punjab are now receiving zero electricity bills, and that more than 881 Mohalla Clinics are functioning, providing free medicines, treatment, and diagnostic tests to the public. He further added that the AAP government has provided over 56,000 government jobs to youth purely on merit.

After National Conference (NC) MP and senior party leader, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi stirred the hornet’s nest by deciding to stay away from the election campaign in his native Budgam Assembly constituency, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday avoided answering the related questions.

“I don’t know anything about it”, the CM said while parrying a question about Ruhullah’s statement.

Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi is an influential Shia Muslim leader of Budgam and wields considerable influence among the people because of his family’s religious background in Budgam.

Senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday demanded a fair judicial probe into the September 24 firing incident in Leh town in which four people were killed, including a retired war veteran.

Tsewang Tharchin, a decorated Kargil War veteran and retired Ladakh Scouts soldier, was killed in security force firing on protesters in Leh on September 24.

Rahul Gandhi said on X, “Father a soldier, son also a soldier - those whose blood runs with patriotism. Yet the BJP government took the life of the country's brave son by shooting him, just because he stood up for Ladakh and his rights. The father's pained eyes are just asking one question - is this the reward for serving the country today?"

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Friday condemned the accusations against Sonam Wangchuk, and took a jibe at the Central government stating that it was using its "entire machinery" for harassing the person who was thinking about the country's progress.

In a post on social media X, Kejriwal wrote, "Read about Sonam Wangchuk. The person who thinks about the country, thinks about education, makes new inventions, is being harassed by the entire machinery of the central government today under extremely cheap politics. It feels extremely sad - how the reins of the country are in the hands of such people. How will such a country progress?" the post read.

Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Saturday hailed the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad's (ABVP) victory in the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections, stating that the results reflect that India's youth backed nationalism and development-driven politics.

He emphasised that while the BJP and ABVP are not directly connected organisationally, they are united by a shared vision of a strong and progressive India.

Commenting on the recent DUSU elections, where the ABVP emerged victorious on three key posts, Union Minister Shekhawat said the outcome reflects the ideological alignment of today's youth with nationalist and development-centric values.

After making everyone fall in love with his flawless dance moves, iconic dancer, choreographer, actor, and filmmaker, Prabhudeva, is all set to make his OTT debut in Sony LIV’s forthcoming political crime thriller "Sethurajan IPS".

Set against the charged backdrop of rural Tamil Nadu, the show revolves around Sethurajan IPS - a cop caught in a politically sensitive murder case that soon turns into a battle of power, identity, and justice.

The first look poster from the show has Prabhudeva sitting on his desk, sipping tea, with his eyes exuding determination.

Tension has gripped Patna’s Munnachak locality after Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Rajkumar Rai alias Allah Rai was gunned down by two bike-borne assailants.

The incident happened under the jurisdiction of Chitragupt Nagar police station late Wednesday night. The deceased sustained six gunshot injuries and succumbed at the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH).

Confirming the development, Parichay Kumar, SP (East Range) of Patna, said the deceased was associated with politics and also involved in land-related business.

He added that two suspects were captured on CCTV cameras, and six spent bullets were recovered from the spot.

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has now cleared director Arun Prabhu's eagerly awaited neo political thriller, 'Sakthi Thirumagan', featuring actor Vijay Antony in the lead, for release with an U/A certificate. eo political thriller film Sakthi Thirumagan, spoke at length about the politics his film would showcase.

Vijay Antony Film Corporation, which is producing the film, took to its X timeline to make the announcement. It wrote, "The hustler #ShakthiThirumagan is now unstoppable. U/A certified! #ShakthiThirumaganTrailer out now."

The film is scheduled to hit screens on September 19 this year.

It may be recalled that actor Vijay Antony had clarified in an event earlier that the politics his film would showcase would be universal.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Saturday hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his remarks admitting that Congress did not do enough for the backward classes.

Rahul Gandhi, while apologising to the backward society, said that both he and his party failed to work as much for the backward classes as they should have, calling it a mistake.

Reacting to this, Mayawati said, “Rahul Gandhi has admitted that Congress did not live up to the expectations of ensuring rights for the backward classes. This is nothing new -- it seems like selfish politics, saying something in the heart and something else on the tongue.”

In a post on X, Mayawati alleged that the Congress has never been sincere about the political and economic aspirations or constitutional rights of the OBC community, including reservation.

Kamal Haasan, the celebrated celluloid figure and politician from Tamil Nadu, formally entered national politics on Friday, taking oath as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha.

Delivering his oath in Tamil, Haasan underscored his cultural roots and civic commitment, stating, “As an Indian, I will do my duty.”

His induction into the Upper House marks a significant milestone in a political journey that began with idealistic fervour and has evolved into strategic pragmatism.

Haasan founded the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) in February 2018, positioning it as a centrist, non-Dravidian alternative to the dominant DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) and AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam).

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Anmol Gagan Maan on Saturday resigned as the MLA from Kharar and announced her decision to quit politics altogether.

She submitted her resignation to Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, requesting that it be accepted at the earliest.

The singer-turned-politician was elected from the Kharar Assembly seat in the 2022 Punjab Assembly polls.

She also became a minister and held the portfolios of tourism and culture, investment promotion, labour and hospitality. But last year, the Bhagwant Mann government dropped four ministers, including Maan, from the Cabinet.

Union Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi on Friday confirmed that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections under the leadership of Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United leader Nitish Kumar.

"All the leaders of the NDA have agreed that with five parties in the alliance, including ours, the Bihar elections scheduled for November 2025 will be fought under the leadership of Nitish Kumar. Traditionally, the leader under whom the elections are contested becomes the Chief Minister. So naturally, Nitish Kumar will be our face for the CM post. There is no doubt - we are confident of winning under his leadership," Manjhi said.

Asked whether he harbours any desire to become Chief Minister again, the 79-year-old leader ruled out the possibility due to his age and current responsibilities.

 A political controversy has erupted in Bihar after RJD MLC Urmila Thakur compared party supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav with Lord Shiva during an event in Muzaffarpur on Tuesday evening.

Her remarks have drawn sharp criticism from the Janata Dal United (JDU).

Party MLC Neeraj Kumar on Wednesday condemned the comparison as “absolutely inappropriate.”

“Lord Shiva is the one who does the welfare of the world, but Lalu Yadav is among those who created havoc in Bihar. Lalu Prasad’s corruption dragged his entire family into legal trouble. Lord Shiva removes everyone’s sorrow, but Lalu Yadav could not even remove his own sorrow and had to undergo a kidney transplant,” Neeraj Kumar said.

As Congress leader Rahul Gandhi completed one year as Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, the BJP on Wednesday sharply criticised his performance, calling it “very low” and accusing him of failing to fulfil his constitutional responsibilities.

BJP leaders alleged that LoP Rahul Gandhi was frequently absent from the House for extended periods and spent too much time abroad, undermining his ability to represent the Opposition effectively.

“In the last year, the country’s politics has changed a lot. Today, during the meetings of the INDI Bloc in the Lok Sabha, they tried to create an impression that the BJP has been defeated and that the NDA has fallen behind. But the election results over the past year have shown the people of this country the reality. There is a clear difference in the politics and ideology of both sides,” BJP leader Rohan Gupta told.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Gopal Italia secured a victory in the Visavadar Assembly by-election in Gujarat, defeating Bharatiya Janata Party’s Kirit Patel by a margin of over 17,000 votes.

The bypoll, necessitated by the resignation of sitting MLA Bhupat Bhayani, witnessed a triangular contest among AAP, BJP and Congress.

However, it was Italia -- AAP’s Gujarat face and former state president -- who emerged as the clear frontrunner early in the counting process and maintained a steady lead throughout the day.

Stepping up its attack on the Chief Minister Rekha Gupta-led Delhi Government over what it termed its 'anti-poor policies', the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday announced a mass protest against the demolition of slum clusters in the national Capital.

AAP Delhi unit President Saurabh Bharadwaj said that the party will lead a major demonstration at Jantar Mantar on June 29 at 10 AM, demanding justice for lakhs of slum dwellers. Bharadwaj accused the BJP-led Delhi government of betraying the urban poor.

"The BJP promised 'Jaha Jhuggi, Wahan Makaan' but is instead bulldozing people's homes without providing alternative housing", he said.

Texas National Guard troops are "on standby" in areas across the state where protests are expected against the Trump administration's ongoing immigration raids, a spokesperson for Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott has said.

"Texas will not tolerate the lawlessness we have seen in Los Angeles," Abbott's spokesperson, Andrew Mahaleris, said in a statement on Wednesday (local time). "Anyone engaging in acts of violence or damaging property will be swiftly held accountable to the full extent of the law."

The advocacy group Immigrant Families and Students in the Fight, known as FIEL, is organising a "Chant Down the Walls" protest in Houston on Friday. Additionally, "No Kings" protests are scheduled for Saturday in more than two dozen Texas cities, including Houston, Austin, Lubbock, and Longview, according to a report by the Texas Tribune.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for naming the anti-terror operation against Pakistan as “Operation Sindoor”, asserting that the name of the operation is politically motivated.

“The name ‘Operation Sindoor' was their brainchild. It is politically motivated. I did not want to say this, especially when the multi-party delegations are visiting several countries and explaining India’s stand. But today, the Prime Minister came to West Bengal with the motive of political propaganda,” said the Chief Minister.

Earlier, while addressing a rally in Alipurduar district, PM Modi slammed the West Bengal government and ruling Trinamool Congress on multiple issues facing the state.

The Chief Minister also accused the Prime Minister of encouraging divisive politics through his address at Alipurduar.

Veteran actress Zeenat Aman has opened up about how her latest project, ‘The Royals,’ helped her reconnect with her passion for cinema.

Reflecting on her journey back to the screen, she shared that the experience reminded her of the joy and purpose she once found in acting. Speaking about the same, Zeenat, who made a royal return as Maji, shared, “When I read the script, I knew The Royals had heart. But what’s truly special is how the audience has connected with it — especially the younger generation discovering love stories in a new light. It reminds me of why I fell in love with cinema in the first place.”

Zeenat Aman made her much-anticipated comeback in Netflix's 'The Royals.’ In the show, she played the role of Maji Sahiba — the regal matriarch of a royal family entangled in palace politics and contemporary scandals. “The Royals,” directed by Priyanka Ghose, also stars an ensemble cast including Bhumi Pednekar, Ishaan Khatter, Sakshi Tanwar, Nora Fatehi, Vihaan Samat, Dino Morea, and Milind Soman.

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah is set to inaugurate a flyover at Pallav Char Rasta in Ahmedabad's Naranpura area on Sunday.

The project falls within Union Minister Shah's Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency. He previously represented the Naranpura Assembly seat during his tenure in Gujarat's state politics.

Constructed at a cost of Rs 117 crore, the flyover stretches across the 132-feet Ring Road and is expected to ease congestion for nearly 1.5 lakh commuters daily.

The structure spans 935 metres in length and 8.4 metres in width, rising to a height of 5.37 metres at the Pragatinagar junction. Built with 62 spans, the flyover aims to streamline traffic movement in one of the city's busiest corridors. As of early 2025, the city boasts approximately 81 flyovers, railway overbridges, and river bridges, with ongoing construction at key intersections such as Vadaj, Naroda Patiya, Makarba, Bootbhawani, and Pallav Char Rasta.

External Affairs Minister (EAM), S. Jaishankar extended best wishes to his Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand, on being sworn in as the Foreign Minister.

"Congratulate Anita Anand on your appointment as Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs," he posted on X.

Indian-origin Canadian politician Anita Ananda has been sworn in as the country's Foreign Minister after a major Cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Mark Carney, focussing on "mandate for change."

Taking to X, Anand posted, "I am honoured to be named Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs. I look forward to working with Prime Minister Mark Carney and our team to build a safer, fairer world and deliver for Canadians."

One of Anand's missions will be to pilot the reset of the almost ruptured ties with India that Carney signalled, while managing the delicate relations with President Donald Trump's America.

Aam Aadmi Party leader and MP Malvinder Singh Kang raised questions about Akali Dal leader Bikram Majithia's statement on the main accused in the tragic death of 14 people in Majitha due to spurious liquor and accused him of doing politics over the issue.

Kang questioned how Bikram Majithia could claim with certainty whether the accused arrested by Punjab Police are genuine or not. He said the confidence with which Majithia is making such claims suggests either he has close ties with the culprits or he is blatantly lying.

Kang stated that if Majithia believes the arrested suspects are incorrect, he should reveal the names of the real culprits to the police. He urged Majithia to refrain from misleading people with such statements. Kang added that if Majithia fails to disclose the names of the main culprits after making such a significant claim, it would mean he is providing political protection to the criminals.

Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has sent a loud and clear message to Pakistan: India’s precise and powerful strikes on terrorist hideouts under “Operation Sindoor” are a warning-stop your terrorist activities and cowardly attacks now, or face the toughest consequences history has ever seen. 
 
Honoring the fearless courage of the Indian Armed Forces, Chadha urged the nation to stand united. He said, “We don’t pick fights, but we don’t let go once provoked. India is the land of Buddha, but also the home of warriors like Arjun and Bhishma.”  

Three contenders of the Democratic Party (DP) for South Korean presidential elections are set to hold their second public debate on Wednesday, four days before the party plans to pick its candidate for the June 3 presidential election.

The debate will bring together former DP leader Lee Jae-myung, Gyeonggi Province Gov. Kim Dong-yeon and Kim Kyung-soo, a former South Gyeongsang Province governor.

During the 90-minute debate, the candidates will present their visions in key areas, including politics, the economy, diplomacy, security and social policy.

Lee, who declared his presidential bid earlier this month and is leading opinion polls for the presidential election, recently won two regional primaries by a large margin, news agency reported.

Jan Suraaj chief Prashant Kishor on Monday slammed the Bihar government over the caste census, saying that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is ‘deceiving the public’ over the issue.

“Nitish Kumar is deceiving the public over the caste census, land surveys, and employment promises,” the Jan Suraaj chief told media persons in Bihar.

Prashant Kishor also demanded bring White Paper on the caste census Implementation in Bihar.

“Why reservation cap was not increased after the caste survey data was presented in the Assembly. If the JDU-BJP alliance governs both the state and the Centre, what’s stopping them from raising the reservation limit?” he said.

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati has launched a sharp attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP), accusing it of exploiting Dalits for political gains.

In a series of posts on X on Thursday, the BSP leader said the SP, like other parties, has been trying to incite tension and violence by using Dalits as political tools.

She posted on X in Hindi, "It is known that, like other parties, SP too is creating an environment of tension and violence by putting forward people of the party, especially Dalits, and its controversial statements, allegations and counter-allegations and programmes etc., seem to be their politics of extreme narrow selfishness."

She cautioned Dalits, OBCs and Muslims against SP's political tactics, saying the party can go to any extent to get Dalit votes.

Businessman Robert Vadra on Wednesday accused the government of stopping him from “doing good work and speaking about their unjust behaviour towards minorities”.

He said this a day after being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a Gurugram land deal case. As per sources, he will again be questioned by the ED on Wednesday.

Vadra has said that he is innocent and that 'truth will prevail.'

In a Facebook post, Vadra said that his birthday week seva had been hampered by the ED summoning him.

“My Birthday Week Seva has been paused for a few days. Plans I have made for feeding the elderly and gifts for all the children in different areas will be continued as soon as I get over the “Government’s ways of stopping Me”, from doing good and speaking about their unjust behavior towards minorities, or if there are even wishes and talks of me being in politics,” wrote Vadra.

The temporary relief on the US reciprocal tariffs front gives businesses and India vital space to stabilise supply chains and adapt operations, while also providing policymakers an opportunity to work toward more sustainable trade agreements, industry experts said on Thursday.

US President Donald Trump has announced a lower rate of 10 per cent for 90 days in reciprocal tariffs for trading partner countries that have not retaliated with higher levies on American goods — such as India — and further hiked the levy on China to 125 per cent for hitting back.

“President Trump’s 90-day pause on tariffs for India and several other countries reflects a tactical recalibration rather than a fundamental policy shift — but it’s a welcome development from both US consumers and global geopolitics perspectives,” said Ashok Chandak, President of SEMI IESA.

While this pause opens the door to reassess global trade dynamics, underlying tensions and uncertainty persist due to the existing 10 per cent baseline tariff on most US imports and what comes after 90 days, he mentioned.

Ahead of the upcoming civic body elections, former Indian cricketer Kedar Jadhav on Tuesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of state unit chief and Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and former minister and state executive president Ravindra Chavan.

By joining the BJP, which leads the Mahayuti government in the state, Jadhav is set to start his new innings.

Bawankule said that it was a great moment to welcome a former cricketer, Kedar Jadhav, into the party fold.

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, on Saturday slammed the Karnataka government, alleging that people like invaders Muhammad Ghori, Muhammad Ghazni, and Malik Kafur are effectively ruling over the state.

“Our state is on the verge of destruction. The illegalities, loot, and robbery by this government have brought the state to this point. Muhammad Ghazni, Muhammad Ghori, and Malik Kafur are governing the state. They are sitting on the third floor of the Vidhana Soudha,” he alleged, without directly naming Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, while addressing a press conference in Bengaluru.

“I challenge this government. Forty years ago, I bought 46 acres of land. I have honestly cultivated it like a farmer. In four decades, such hateful politics and misuse of officers have never occurred,” he claimed.

Senior Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor has responded to criticism from within his own party over his recent article in an English daily, which discussed Kerala’s advancements in the startup sector.

After securing control over five municipal corporations in Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party today elected its mayor in the Bathinda Municipal Corporation as well. AAP councillor Padamjit Mehta has been elected as the Mayor of Bathinda Municipal Corporation.