He said that while free and fair elections were held in the Union Territory in 2024, the elected government holds little executive authority on the affairs of the governance

India has been invited to chair the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for the first time, a recognition of its successful electoral process. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar will assume the Chair on December 3, 2026, in Stockholm, Sweden. This appointment highlights India's significant experience in managing elections for its vast electorate.

While welcoming the new Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan on his first day of chairing the House proceedings on Monday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge made a mention of the unexpected and sudden exit of his predecessor, Jagdeep Dhankhar, irking the treasury benches. Referring to the sudden exit of Dhankar, Kharge said, It was a completely unexpected and sudden exit from the office of Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, which is unexpected in the annals of the parliamentary history. I was di

Eknath Shinde admitted to a recent exchange of allegations with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis but said that local body elections should remain focused on grassroots issues and the work of party workers.

Hyderabad: A man in Sangareddy arrived on a horse to file nomination for the Sarpanchs post in the upcoming Telangana local body elections on Monday, December 1. The incident occurred in Andol Mandal, where the candidate Veera Reddy arrived to file his nomination along with his supporters. A video shared on social media shows Reddy Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels.

Campaigning will end at 10 p.m. December 1, with no poll advertisements being allowed on voting day

KOCHI: Gone are the days when the citizens could be taken for a ride by the politicians through false promises. Today, they are posing questions to the candidates to gauge who is fit to be their representative. Taking an innovative route, the residents of wards 1 to 11 of the Chellanam grama panchayat and divisions 70, 71, and 72 of Kochi Corporation have compiled a list of queries, printed them into notices, and pasted them on the walls of their houses, as well as on the gates. The aim? To gaug

A less-recognized campaign finance case from 2010 paved the way for the super PACs frequently used by billionaires such as Elon Musk to spend big on elections.

Maharashtra will witness local body elections on Monday with voting scheduled for 242 municipal councils and 46 nagar panchayats, marking the first phase of a three-tier process mandated by the Supreme Court.

A video from Telangana's Mahabubabad district has gone viral after capturing an unusual scene: several men requesting a woman to contest the local body elections as sarpanch, with one of them even dropping to his knees and clutching her feet

Maharashtra Sports Minister Manikaro Kokate criticised BJP for creating divisions ahead of local elections, sparking sharp responses from BJP leaders.

Mr. Raut criticised the BJP for destroying the culture and fabric of Maharashtras elections

CPI(M) Kerala secretary says ED routinely issues notices during every election

NEW DELHI: Parliament is not a place for drama, it is a place for delivery, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday in a hard-hitting attack on the opposition and accused it of turning the House into a warm up arena for elections or as an outlet to vent out frustration after defeat. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament ahead of the Winter session, he said the session must not become a stage for political theatrics but a platform for constructive and result-driven debate, and offered to g

Notorious Nazi doctor Josef Mengele, the physician known as the Angel of Death for his barbaric experiments and selections for the gas chambers, lived openly and comfortably in Argentina for years despite authorities knowing his true identity.

Amazon might be best known for its Prime Day shopping sprees, but the retailer also has plenty of big bargains for Cyber Monday , including on its own-brand items. Right now, you can pick up the Amazon Smart Plug for $13, which is the lowest price we've seen for this piece of home tech. The Smart Plug usually costs $25, so you're getting nearly half off if you buy during this sale. The Amazon product is one of our selections for the best smart plugs on the market. It's an excellent addition for

Prime Minister aid the Opposition appeared unsettled after their defeat in the Bihar elections

Parliament Winter Session to begin today The Winter Session of Parliament begins today, with the government set to push through an extensive legislative agenda that includes 14 Bills. The session comes amid heightened tensions between the ruling NDA and the Opposition, with the latter demanding debates on issues such as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the recent suicides of Booth Level Officers (BLOs), and national security concerns following the Delhi car blast. Parliam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Nedumangad municipality, an LDF stronghold since 1995, is heading into a tight contest as all three fronts have stepped up their strategies for the upcoming local body polls. The LDF, which has held the council for more than three decades, is banking on its long run in power to retain control. The UDF is trying to tap into possible anti-incumbency while the BJP is aiming to make inroads and expand its presence. In the previous local body polls, the LDF won 27 of the 39 wards.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Imagine walking through stinking sewage water inundating the path to your house every day. That is the reality of residents of Kalavihar Nagar Lane 2 in the former Kannammoola ward (now Kunnukuzhy, after delimitation) of Thiruvananthapuram corporation. Water from a drainage, which passes through the boundary of a house, has been leaking through the gaps in the slabs here, ultimately reaching the road and flooding it. A pipe had been placed through the boundary walls of the ho

KASARGOD: Dead bodies, missing persons, or destitute and drunkards. The moment Hosdurg police personnel stumble across any, Abdul Salam, 48, aka Salam Kerala, is whom they contact. In fact, Salam is a known face in Kasaragods Kanhangad municipality, owing to his various charitable initiatives. Hoping to cash in on his popularity, the LDF has fielded him from the municipalitys Hosdurg Kadappuram ward in the local body elections. I was not into politics much. I liked LDF as Left parties do not do

The SEC had earlier directed that municipal council and nagar panchayat elections must not proceed where appeals related to membership disqualification or reservation disputes were still pending before district courts

PATHANAMTHITTA: In-law rivalry, like the one in soap operas, is unfolding in Pallickal grama panchayat in Pathanamthittas Adoor, where a mother-in-law is going head to head with her daughter-in-law in the local body elections. Ward 11, Chennampallil, is where Kunjumol Kochupappy, 76, an independent candidate, is facing off against her daughter-in-law, Jasmine Aby, the Congress pick. Interestingly, they share the same address. Kunjumols husband Kochupappy served as an independent member of the pa

NEW DELHI, Nov 30 : Calling Bangladesh a friend, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi voiced confidence that the neighbouring country would see a positive shift after its parliamentary elections scheduled for February 2026. The CNS who was in Pune where he attended the Passing Out Parade of the 149th Course of National Defence Academy said, I would still refrain from calling Bangladesh anything other than a friend, because this could be a temporary and transitory moment. Well have to [] The post

By B. S. Dara bsdara@gmail.com Imran Khans journey from cricket legend to jailed former prime ministerreflects the chronic failures of the Pakistani state. It is the story of a state that has never learned to separate power from the military, truth from propaganda, and democracy from managed elections. It is the story of Pakistan. Today, Imran Khan, once Pakistans most celebrated cricketer, a global celebrity, and later the self-declared crusader against corruption, has been in detention for ove

The elections to 246 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats will take place on December 2, and votes will be counted on December 3. More than 1.07 crore voters will elect 6859 members and 288 municipal presidents.

Political parties are fielding young candidates, some as young as 21 or still in college, who are taking on seasoned politicians and bringing much-needed enthusiasm to the local body elections

He said, the BJP poached one of his family members during the Assembly elections and has since poached a member of MP Rajabhau Wazes family

Economic crisis, especially inflation may pick up before coming February elections By Ashis Biswas To everyones surprise Bangladeshs economy is doing none too badly, even as hard times continue to plague the interim Government led by Dr M Yunus. Nearly sixteen months after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, despite occasional fluctuations, the [] The post Job situation in Bangladesh worsens as foreign countries restrict taking Bangla labour appeared first on Northlines .

Kishan Sanmukhdas Bhawanani, Advocate, Gondia In many countries, the tendency to influence public opinion in the name of spirituality during elections, power negotiations, public policies, and social agendas has rapidly increased. The greatest paradox of the modern world is that while science, technology, and material progress have taken human life to unprecedented heights, the inner [] The post Worship and Spirituality Are Not Entertainment appeared first on Northlines .

Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi calls Bangladesh a friend, hopes for positive change after 2026 elections.

PATNA: The Winter Session of the Bihar legislature, beginning from Monday, is likely to be stormy as the Opposition is expected to raise issues related to promises made to people by the National Democratic Alliance during the recently concluded assembly elections. Issues like one crore jobs, financial aids of Rs 2 lakh each to women associated with Jeevika and opening of new sugar factories and closed units will dominate the five-day session of the state legislature being held after the formatio

After a month-long protest demanding elections, a victory march was taken out by the students of Panjab University.

Hyderabad: More than 25,000 candidates filed their nominations for the first phase of Gram Panchayat elections in Telangana, scheduled to be held on December 11. According to the State Election Commission, a total of 25,654 nominations have been filed for 4,236 of Gram Panchayats in 31 districts. On the last day of filing of nominations Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our chan

Significant indicator of political sentiment in Maharashtra following the BJP-led Mahayuti's landslide victory in the November 2024 assembly elections

Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi expressed confidence that India's relationship with Bangladesh will improve, referring to the nation as a friend despite current political strains. He recalled warm hospitality during his visit and hopes for a positive turn after Bangladesh's February 2026 parliamentary elections.

CHANDIGARH: With fourteen months left for the assembly elections in Punjab, the buzz over the possible revival of ties between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is on. Former chief minister and senior BJP leader Captain Amarinder Singh is reportedly advocating for a coalition between the SAD and the saffron party in the forthcoming assembly elections. Terming that he is 'totally fit' and 'active' and gearing up for the assembly polls scheduled to be held in early 2027, S

Maharashtra Minister and BJP leader Jaykumar Gore on Saturday urged women voters to remain loyal to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the upcoming civic body polls, citing the government's Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme. Addressing a poll rally in Solapur, the state Rural Development Minister advised women to accept money from whoever offers it, but to vote only for the BJP-led alliance. You don't even get Rs 100 from your husbands. Devabhau (Fadnavis) introduced the Ladki Bahin Yojana

Ahead of the Winter session of Parliament , Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday said that the House should be allowed to function smoothly as opposition leaders pushed for discussion on several key issues, including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Parliament should not be stalled and it should function smoothly. Government will keep discussing with all parties to ensure smooth functioning of the House, Rijiju told reporters after an all-party meeting. A

Voter turnout in Delhi's MCD by-elections reached 21.8% by 1.30 pm, with Sangam Vihar-A leading. This marks the first direct contest between BJP, AAP, and Congress since the Assembly polls. The vacancies arose after councillors became MLAs/MPs. Counting is scheduled for December 3.

A total of 82,276 nominations were received for 37,440 Ward Member posts

December 2025 Dry Days: Alcohol sales will be restricted across several Indian states this December. Delhi will observe dry days for MCD by-elections from November 28 to December 3. Mumbai will have dry days on December 6 for Mahaparinirvan Diwas and December 25 for Christmas. Kerala has announced multiple dry days for local body elections and counting day on December 13.

The vote is being held a year earlier than scheduled, a move that officials have justified by arguing that the parliamentary elections would otherwise fall too close to the 2027 presidential elections

The Election Commission of India has extended the schedule for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in nine states and three Union Territories by one week. The poll panel said the distribution of enumeration forms will now continue until December 11, instead of the earlier deadline of December 4. The draft electoral rolls will be published on December 16, replacing the earlier date of December 9. The final voters list is now scheduled for February 14, 2026, instead of

New Delhi, Nov 30: The Winter session of Parliament beginning Monday will see the government push its reforms agenda with a legislation to open up the civil nuclear sector to private players, while the opposition is set to rake up the issue of revision of electoral rolls across 12 states and Union territories. The three-week long session of Parliament comes against the backdrop of the overwhelming victory of the BJP-led NDA in the Bihar Assembly elections which is expected to [] The post Parliam

Voting is underway for by-elections in 12 Municipal Corporation of Delhi wards, seen as a key indicator of public sentiment following the BJP's recent assembly election victory. Over 2,300 officials and security personnel are deployed across 143 sites for the polls, featuring 51 candidates, including 26 women. The results will offer insights into the capital's political landscape.

Voting begins for MCD by-elections in 12 Delhi wards with BJP, Congress and AAP contesting. Results will be declared on December 3.

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission (EC) has invited all citizens to download the ECINet App and give suggestions to make the application more user-friendly till the 27th of next month. The app is an integration of 40 election-related applications and websites that were earlier separate. The user suggestions would be examined, and the platform would be further updated to make it more user-friendly, the poll panel noted in an official statement. The official launch of the ECINet platform is planne

Rajesh Gupta, two-time MLA, left Aam Aadmi Party for BJP before MCD by-elections, criticizing Arvind Kejriwal and citing ill-treatment.

In the turbulent battleground of Karnataka politics, 63-year-old Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar doesnt just make news, he commands them. A master strategist and the Congress partys organisational backbone, Shivakumar embodies an assertive brand of leadership. As one of the partys most reliable trouble-shooters, his strength lies in sharp political acumen, unwavering loyalty and an ability to bolster organisation at every level. Shivakumar is currently navigating a challenging phase of his c

KOZHIKODE: Koyilandy MLA Kanathil Jameela passed away on Saturday at a private hospital in Kozhikode following illness. She was 59. The CPM leader had been convalescing at home for the last six months after undergoing treatment for cancer. Jameela had a unique political ascent, achieving the rare feat of serving and winning elections across all three tiers of the panchayat system before being elected to the assembly in 2021. Born in Kuttiadi, Jameela inherited her political fervour from her fath

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In what may prove costly for the Congress in the run-up to the elections, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has admitted that the party acted against Rahul Mamkootathil after the then KPCC president and the Leader of Opposition received multiple complaints against the Palakkad MLA. This is the first time that a senior party leader has publicly said so. The open confirmation by Chennithala counters the party leaderships public claims that it had not received any harass

KOCHI : A student who has passed Class 10 cannot be admitted back to Class 8. General Education Minister V Sivankuttys recent quip, made while explaining why Thiruvananthapuram mayor Arya Rajendran is not being fielded in the upcoming local-body polls, has quickly become a metaphor for moving the needle on ascending the political ladder in the state. His comment suggested that politicians who have completed a full term are ready for the next stage, widely interpreted as a nod to Aryas prospects

NT Reporter Panaji With the State Election Commission Saturday announcing the schedule for the general elections to the North Goa and South Goa Zilla Panchayats (ZP), which will be held on December 20, the Model Code of Conduct has come into force in all the panchayat areas of the state. Both the ZP bodies have [] The post ZP elections: Model Code of Conduct comes into force appeared first on The Navhind Times .

PATNA: Lawmakers of the opposition 'Mahagathbandhan' in Bihar on Saturday unanimously elected Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD as the coalition's leader in the state legislature. The decision was taken at a meeting hosted by Yadav here ahead of the five-day session of the legislature, beginning on Monday, during which all the newly elected members of the 243-strong assembly will be sworn in. Talking to reporters after the meeting, RJD MLA Bhai Virendra said, Tejashwi Yadav has been elected leader of th

The BJP held nine out of the 12 vacant wards where the by-election is scheduled.

In the first phase, panchayat elections will be held for 4,236 sarpanch posts and 37,440 wards in 189 mandals of 31 districts

GUWAHATI: Protesters, mostly students, vandalised Assams autonomous Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) secretariat in Kokrajhar on Saturday, opposing the state governments move to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities. Hundreds of protesters took out a march from the Bodoland University in Kokrajhar to the BTC secretariat at the call of Tribal Students of Bodoland, Assam who requested everyone to join and support this important movement. The protesters alleged that the government

Hyderabad: Just three years of service left, a sub-inspector working in Suryapet police station, took voluntaery retirement (VRS) on Friday to contest in the upcoming local body elections in Telangana. SI Puli Venkateshwarlu, who was attached to the special branch, will contest for the post of sarpanch from his native village Gudibanda of Kodad Mandal Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscrib

The coordination meeting, which will bring together key leaders from across the district, will finalise candidates in consultation with gram panchayat-level leaders

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar publicly displayed unity after a breakfast meeting, pledging to work together and ending confusion. The AICC leadership brokered the truce, with both leaders agreeing to follow the high command's guidance and focus on strengthening the party for future elections.

In this episode of Talking Politics, we explore how Bihars recent mandate reflects deeper shifts in Indias political landscape. From evolving voter aspirations to changing ideas of social justice, the conversation looks at what these trends could mean for future elections. Tune in for insights on leadership strategies, welfare politics, and the forces shaping democracy today.

The Congress will contest 158 municipal council president posts in Maharashtra's upcoming December 2 elections. This includes alliances with local outfits and major partners like Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) within the Maha Vikas Aghadi. Over 1.07 crore voters will elect 6859 members and 288 municipal presidents across 246 councils and 42 nagar panchayats.

CHANDIGARH: With 14 months left for the assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab is grappling with a wave of public anger across the state, from employees and lawyers to farmers. Bus services in parts of the state remained affected on Saturday as employees of Punjab Roadways, Punjab State Bus Stand Management Company Limited (PUNBUS) and Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) continued their protest for the second day. The state transport department issued notices aski

LONDON: India has been re-elected to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council with the highest vote in its category at elections held at its Assembly in London for the 2025-26 biennium. Indias election in Category B on Friday falls under the collection of 10 states with the largest interest in international seaborne trade, alongside Australia, []

Hyderabad: The All India Majlis e Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) is looking forward to consolidating its dominance in Maharashtra by winning as many seats as possible in the upcoming local body polls. The elections for 246 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats in Maharashtra are scheduled to be held on December 2. The voting will be Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channe

PATNA: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) state president Mangani Lal Mandal said on Saturday that all seats that Congress won in the recently held state assembly polls were because of RJDs support. The remark comes hours before a joint meeting of the Opposition INDIA bloc allies in the state capital to discuss strategy for the special session of the Bihar legislature, beginning December 1. Talking to media persons, Mandal said that if the Bihar Congress intended to adopt a 'different' way, it was free

The Janata Dal (Secular) has criticized the Karnataka Congress government, accusing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar of prioritizing power struggles over pressing state issues like farmers' distress and rising prices. Despite the JD(S) attack, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar met, reaffirming unity and commitment to following the party high command's decisions for future elections.

There are nine reserved seats for women, seven for OBCs, and one for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in North Goa

The order of the court has now set a stage for contest between him and former cricketer Venkatesh Prasad for the KSCAs top post

Siddaramaiah said the two leaders had reviewed preparations for the 2028 Assembly elections and upcoming local body polls.

Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met to quell speculation of a power-sharing tussle. Both leaders asserted unity, calling reports of a rift manufactured confusion and pledging to follow the Congress high command's directives. They emphasized their commitment to local and 2028 elections, vowing to fight the opposition together.

India's once robust player development system appears dismantled, leading to a decline in top-flight cricket. Recent meek defeats highlight a collapsed feeder line, with questionable selections like Nitish Kumar Reddy's indicating a failure to groom middle-order batters. This contrasts sharply with the successful process under Rahul Dravid, which produced established stars.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The long-delayed Outer Ring Road (ORR) project has got a fillip with the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) formally granting environmental clearance for the ambitious project. The move comes close on the heels of a recent Supreme Court order that ex-post facto clearance may be granted under conditions. Meanwhile, the land owners who surrendered their land for the project have threatened to boycott both the upcoming local body and assembly elections to protest the

Elections to BMC, 28 other municipal bodies must happen before January 31, 2026, with results tied to ongoing OBC reservation case

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday said the Maharashtra state election commission will conduct local body polls as scheduled, but made it clear that results of the bodies where 50% ceiling on OBC quota have been breached will depend on its final verdict. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi made the observation and referred the case to a three-judge bench, which will take it up in January 2026. The bench hearing pleas alleging that Maharashtras decision to implemen

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The sexual-harassment case filed against Rahul Mamkootathil has left the Congress in Kerala deeply divided, with one faction led by Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan calling for stern action and another, headed by UDF convenor Adoor Prakash, backing the Palakkad MLA. After remaining silent for weeks, Satheesan spoke out on Friday after police issued a lookout notice. Speaking at an event in Kochi, he reiterated that his stand is based on his conviction. It is not just my vie

KOCHI: ... The futures in the air I can feel it everywhere Blowing with the wind of change... The Scorpions ballad on profound changes taking place in Europe in the early 1990s can hold a mirror to the evolving political picture in central Kerala. Winding ones way though Meenachil River-kissed Pala, Poonjar, and Bharananganam, the highlands of Idukki, and the gently rolling regions of Thrissur and Ernakulam, the shift is very evident -- and splashed across compound walls. Posters of candidates f

KOCHI: Kerala has reached the threshold of a development era and the local body election results may herald a political change, says Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) president and SNDP Yogam vice-president Thushar Vellappally. The NDA will wrest power in Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur corporations and several municipalities, he told TNIE. Excerpts: Which factors will favour the NDA? NDA-ruled states in North India are witnessing a major transformation in human development while Kerala is lagging

IDUKKI: The tribal communitys threat of boycotting the upcoming local body polls has triggered a political tremor in Idukki, forcing development work in Vattavada and Edamalakkudy to finally move after years of official inertia. In Vattavada, five Muthuvan settlements had unanimously declared a non-participation campaign, citing two unresolved issues: the Block 59 land dispute and the 16-km Chilathiyar-Swamiyaralakkudi-Koodalarkudi-Valsapetti-Ullavayal road, pending for decades. The dispute invo

MALAPPURAM: As local body election campaigning picks up momentum, Chetan Bhagat is grabbing voters attention in Thavanur. Its not the author, though. This star campaigner is a 90-day-old baby boy! Cradled in his mothers arms, the authors tiny namesake has become the most recognisable face in the CPMs campaign for the district panchayat elections in Thavanur, going from one house to other and charming voters with sleepy yawns and sudden smiles. His mother, Syamili K, a DYFI district committee mem

While political parties usually fear Opposition assault around the elections, for the state BJP, it is its own alliance partner Shinde Sena who has been trying to shake Mahayutis very foundation

A parliamentary committee scrutinizing the simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections bill will seek an extension to gather more stakeholder views. The committee, chaired by P P Chaudhary, believes the bill, known as the one-nation-one-election proposal, does not violate the Constitution's basic structure, a stance supported by the Law Commission.

BISSAU, Nov 28: Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau who seized power following disputed national elections earlier this week appointed a close ally of the deposed president as prime minister on Friday. The countrys new military leader, Gen Horta Inta-a, announced the appointment of finance minister Ilidio Vieira Te as prime minister in a decree. Vieira Te is a close ally of the deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, having served as his campaign director during the presidential election that took place

The Supreme Court has allowed the Maharashtra State Election Commission to proceed with elections for most local bodies, excluding those with over 50% reservation. Polls for 57 civic bodies exceeding this limit will be subject to the court's final decision on January 21, with results pending the outcome.

These preparations also come in the run up to the elections of gram panchayats and the BRS leadership hopes that celebrating Deeksha Divas will give impetus to it in these polls.

With this, the path was cleared for the state government to proceed with the panchayat elections next month.

KANPUR/ NEW DELHI: Former Union minister and veteran Congress leader Sriprakash Jaiswal died in Kanpur on Friday following a cardiac arrest. He was 81. Jaiswal was first taken to a local nursing home in Kidwai Nagar on Friday evening after his condition worsened. He was later shifted to the Cardiology Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Born in 1944 in Kanpur to Ganga Prasad Jaiswal and Chandrakali Devi, Jaiswal remained closely connected to his hometown throughout his life. A

Delhi Metro: The last train service from all terminal stations will depart at 11:30 pm instead of the usual 11:00 pm.

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday said that during its meeting with an All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) delegation, the full panel gave a point-wise rebuttal to all apprehensions and termed each baseless allegation made by the party as unfounded. A senior ECI official, while speaking to TNIE , said Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners S S Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, also requested the AITC delegation to give claims and objections a

BJP alleges attempt to turn West Bengal into West Bangladesh as Murshidabad remarks spark controversy ahead of elections

GUWAHATI: The Congress on Friday opposed Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarmas statement that the BJP would bring Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state if it got re-elected. Congress leader Pawan Khera predicted that Sarma would not return to power. First of all, he (Sarma) will not return to power. He will go to jail after this election. He knows it. I know it, Khera told media persons in Guwahati. This country is a collection of several belief systems, customs, traditions, and languages. Y

Supreme Court allows long stalled civic elections amid OBC reservation dispute and 50% quota ceiling concerns

CHANDIGARH: Punjab will hold the long-overdue Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections on December 14, with 50 per cent of seats reserved for women to boost their participation in grassroots governance. The elections are being seen as a litmus test for political parties ahead of assembly polls scheduled 14 months later. Originally scheduled for May, these elections were postponed multiple times, first to October and then to December, after floods hit the state in August and September. Politi