SP questions Congress' role in UP alliance after Bihar election setback
LUCKNOW : Congress poor performance in the Bihar Assembly elections has prompted its INDI Alliance partner, the Samajwadi Party(SP), to reassess the partys electoral viability ahead of the crucial Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections in 2027. Much like Bihar, the Grand Alliance in UP is positioning itself against the BJP-led NDA, but Congress weak showing in the neighbouring state has raised concerns within the SP. Contrary voices have begun emerging from the Samajwadi Party and Congress camps in UP. Two senior leaders from each party have engaged in expressing opposing views over the INDI blocs leadership. As in Bihar, Congress remains a diminishing force in Uttar Pradesh with a dwindling vote bank, while the SP continues to rely heavily on the MuslimYadav (MY) equation as its core vote base, similar to the RJD in Bihar. This similarity has led the SP to proceed cautiously in seat-sharing negotiations for the UP Assembly elections. A senior SP leader, former minister and current MLA Ravidas Mehrotra, has sought the SP chief to take on the role of leading the INDI bloc. In response, Congress MP from Saharanpur has rushed to clarify that his leader Rahul Gandhi was the undisputed leader of the INDI Alliance. Many senior SP leaders believe that the Congress should make space for regional satraps to lead the alliance. They argue that since the SP was the second-largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha and the main opposition in Uttar Pradesh, politically the most crucial state in the country, its chief should be accepted as the leader of the INDI Alliance. According to them, Congress performance in Bihar, with a strike rate of just 10 per cent, reflected the shrinking base of the grand old party. In the 2022 UP Assembly elections, the SP had an alliance with several regional parties. Its major allies included the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), which received 33 seats, and the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SUBSP), which was allocated 17 seats. Among the remaining 10 seats, Apna Dal (Kamerawadi) was given five, Shivpal Yadavs party received one, Mahandal got two, and the Janwadi Party was allotted one seat. Pallavi Patel of Apna Dal (K) contested on the SP symbol, and Shivpal Yadavs party has since merged with the SP. Based on this earlier structure, the SP estimates it must leave around 5060 seats for allies, keeping roughly 340 seats for itself. An SP leader also noted that seat distribution would be based strictly on the organisational strength of each ally. Notably, Congress could secure only six of the 61 seats it contested in the recently concluded Bihar Assembly elections. On the other hand, Congress leaders, while stressing that every assembly election is different, claim that the SPCongress alliance remains intact in Uttar Pradesh. Some of them, particularly leaders like Imran Masood, reiterate that there is no alternative to Rahul Gandhi heading the INDI Alliance and suggest that the SP and its chief Akhilesh Yadav should focus on Uttar Pradesh and the upcoming state elections.
Ruturaj Gaikwad To Lead Maharashtra In 2025/26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: India opener Ruturaj Gaikwad has been named Maharashtras captain for the 2025/26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy starting on November 26, said the Maharashtra Cricket Association announced on Friday. Gaikwad heads into the tournament on the back of strong form for India A in their 50-over series in Rajkot, where he amassed 210 runs, including a century. Maharashtra will play its groupstage fixtures at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, and will start their campaign against Jammu and Kashmir on November 26. Apart from J&K, Maharashtra will also face off against Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Hyderabad, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Chandigarh in their Elite Group B league matches. Meanwhile, Shubham Khajuria has been named captain of the J&K team. The squad includes fast bowler Umran Malik and hardhitting batter Abdul Samad, both of whom bring valuable experience to the side whose fortunes in the Ranji Trophy have been on a high. For their white-ball games, they will have the services of their guest player leg-spinner Murugan Ashwin, who previously played for Tamil Nadu and Chandigarh. Previously, Jharkhand named wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan as their captain for the tournament, where they are slotted in Elite Group D, alongside Delhi, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Saurashtra, and Tripura in Ahmedabad. Karnataka, meanwhile, have named Mayank Agarwal as their captain, with availability of Devdutt Padikkal, Prasidh Krishna and KL Rahul depending on their selection for the ongoing multi-format series against South Africa. Previously, Jharkhand named wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan as their captain for the tournament, where they are slotted in Elite Group D, alongside Delhi, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Saurashtra, and Tripura in Ahmedabad. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Jammu & Kashmir squad: Qamran Iqbal, Shubham Khajuria (c), Vivrant Sharma, Musaif Aijaz, Abdul Samad, Yawer Hassan, Kanhaiya Wadhawan (vc), Abid Mushtaq, Vanshaj Sharma, Ashwin Murugan, Yudhvir Singh, Auqib Nabi, Umran Malik, Nasir Lone, and Sunil Kumar Article Source: IANS
Haryana Police fast-tracks Anti-Terror Squad plan after Red Fort blast
CHANDIGARH: After the November 10 Red Fort blast that killed 15 people and the exposure of a Faridabad white-collar terror module linked to the attack, the Haryana Police has revived and fast-tracked its long-pending plan to set up an Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) focused on Islamic extremist factions and Khalistani separatist networks. The ATS will prioritise counter-terror operations across the National Capital Region (NCR), covering fourteen Haryana districts, including Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonepat and Jhajjar, areas repeatedly flagged in national security alerts. Sources said the dormant proposal has now been pushed into action. The planned ATS will be equipped with three integrated wings, intelligence gathering, complex investigations and field operations, modelled on other elite units in the country. Officials said the squad will concentrate on emerging threats from Islamic extremists, Khalistani outfits and nodes of left-wing extremism. Officials said the ATS marks a generational shift in the states counter-terror approach by integrating intelligence, investigation and operational capacity into a single, high-tech framework. The commandos at the ATS disposal will be trained for precision operations based on information from field and digital surveillance, said a senior police officer, highlighting the units tech-driven vision. A senior official said the ATS headquarters may be set up in Panchkula or Gurugram to ensure synergy with NCR-focused operations and proximity to national agencies. The unit will employ advanced surveillance tools and analytic systems to monitor both online and offline spaces for early signs of mobilisation. Each of the more than 150 police stations in NCR districts will assign a dedicated security agent for daily terror-intelligence collection under the direct supervision of a senior officer. Speaking to the TNIE , Haryana DGP O P Singh said, Our effort is to scan every layer, analogue and digital, for the earliest signs of mobilisation. We want to move from reactive policing to proactive, intelligence-led disruption of threats. ED arrests Al Falah University founder Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui in PMLA case amid Red Fort blast probe A critical plank of the ATS is its operational wing, a force of 500 commandos trained in advanced counter-terror tactics, urban warfare and critical incident management, Singh added, emphasising both manpower and modernisation in the proposed units effectiveness. He further said, Our mandate is early neutralisation of threats through layered intelligence, swift investigation and precise operations. Haryana will not be a soft target. ATS is not a one-time exercise but a continuous vigil. This squad will embody our long-term commitment to internal security and public trust. The ATS will work in coordination with central agencies and ATS units in Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. Terror knows no boundaries between states. Seamless sharing of actionable leads and synchronised interventions are essential to prevent catastrophic events, said another senior officer involved in the planning. The final plan is still being refined, though officials say the structure will draw from best practices across elite North Indian units. Currently, the Haryana CID handles intelligence gathering related to terrorist activity.
SC seeks ECs response on fresh pleas challenging SIR exercise in Kerala, other states
NEW DELHI, Nov 21: The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a batch of pleas challenging the Election Commissions decision to conduct Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and other states. A bench of Justices Surya Kant, SVN Bhatti and Joymalya Bagchi issued notice to the Election Commission on all the fresh petitions filed by different political leaders, challenging SIR exercises in different states on different grounds. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for a petitioner challenging [] The post SC seeks ECs response on fresh pleas challenging SIR exercise in Kerala, other states appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Don't wish to come across as greedy by demanding Bihar deputy CM's post: Chirag Paswan
PATNA: Union minister Chirag Paswan on Friday asserted that he did not wish to come across as greedy by demanding the deputy chief ministers post, as he thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allocating two berths to his Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) in the new Bihar cabinet. Addressing a press conference here, Paswan also said he wished to expand the partys footprint beyond Bihar as an NDA partner in states like West Bengal, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. Our party won 19 seats out of the 29 we were given as part of the seat-sharing arrangements within the NDA. We contested those seats which were considered weak for the alliance. This was possible because of the peoples blessings and the support of the Prime Minister to our party. Now, the LJP (RV) has been given two berths in the new cabinet in Bihar. Its enough. How much more greedy can Chirag Paswan be? the Union minister said. The NDA stormed back to power in Bihar, winning 202 seats in the 243-member assembly, with the BJP bagging 89, JD(U) 85, LJP(RV) 19, HAM 5, and RLM 4. In 2021, there was not one person around me. My party was split And in 2024, the PM put faith in the party and gave us five seats to contest in the Lok Sabha polls. We won all five seats. If I now ask for something from the alliance, then no one will be more greedy than me, Paswan said, when queried whether he would demand the post of deputy CM. On the partys expansion plans, the Hajipur MP said, After winning 19 seats in the recently concluded assembly polls in Bihar, we are now seriously preparing to expand the partys base in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab. We will contest the upcoming assembly elections there as part of the NDA.
UP horror: 7 days after wedding man shot dead by bride's lover; both arrested
A shocking honour crime has emerged in Basti district. A 25-year-old man, Anees, was shot dead just seven days after his wedding. Police have arrested his wife, Rukhsana, and her lover, Rinku. The couple allegedly planned the murder after continuing their affair post-marriage. Rukhsana is accused of providing her husband's movements to Rinku, who then carried out the fatal shooting.
SC seeks EC's response on fresh pleas against SIR in Kerala, UP and other states
The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to consider a new set of petitions challenging the Election Commission of Indias (ECI) ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in multiple states, including Kerala and Uttar Pradesh. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, SVN Bhatti and Joymalya Bagchi issued notices to the ECI on all the newly filed petitions submitted by various political leaders. These petitions question the legality and timing of the SIR exercise on different grounds across states. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for one of the petitioners from Kerala, argued that the matter requires urgent attention as local body elections are approaching in the state. The timing of the SIR process, he contended, could potentially impact the conduct of these elections. Taking note of the concerns, the bench scheduled the Kerala-related petitions for hearing on November 26. Petitions concerning the electoral roll revision in other states will be heard in the first or second week of December, the bench said. The Supreme Court is already seized of several other petitions challenging the ECIs decision to carry out a nationwide SIR exercise. On November 11, the Court had sought individual responses from the poll body on petitions filed by political parties such as the DMK, CPI(M), West Bengal Congress, and leaders of the Trinamool Congress, who have questioned the SIR exercises in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. (With inputs from PTI)
SC seeks EC's response on fresh pleas challenging SIR exercise in Kerala, other states
The Supreme Court will hear challenges to the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision exercise. Petitions from Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, and other states are involved. The court has issued notices to the Election Commission. Hearings for Kerala pleas are scheduled for November 26. Other state petitions will be heard in early December. This follows earlier challenges to the pan-India revision exercise.
Supreme Court seeks EC reply on pleas against SIR exercise in Kerala
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a batch of pleas challenging the Election Commissions decision to conduct Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and other states. A bench of Justices Surya Kant, SVN Bhatti and Joymalya Bagchi issued notice to the Election Commission on all the fresh petitions Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
BENGALURU: South division police investigating the Rs 7.11-crore daylight heist are yet to get vital leads about the robbers, and are questioning more than 30 suspects, including the Cash Management Services (CMS) staff. However, two suspects identified as Hemanth and Sunil from Kalyan Nagar, near Banaswadi, were taken into custody near Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh, but there was no confirmation from police about their detention. The Toyota Innova in which the accused had escaped was found abandoned in Andhra Pradesh. Three vehicles -- the Innova, a Maruti Suzuki Zen and Maruti Suzuki WagonR -- were used by the accused to escape with the cash. Investigators found the Innova used in the crime had a fake number plate of a Maruti Swift, whose owner resides on Indiranagar 100 Feet Road in Bengaluru. The gang used an Uttar Pradesh registration number on the same Innova while leaving the city via Hoskote-Malur Road. Checks are being conducted at all city borders, including Hoskote, Chikkaballapur and Kolar, and CCTVs at tollgates and in the vicinity are also being checked. The gang hoodwinked police by splitting into teams and travelling in three cars. They were successful in making police track only the Innova, while actually escaping with the cash in the Zen and WagonR. Police are also not ruling out the possibility of the accused hiding in the city, and are also checking if the accused had visited Angala Parameswari temple in Tamil Nadu and Tirumala Tirupati temple. Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh was in Siddapura police station, where the case was registered, till late Wednesday night. The driver of the cash-in-transit-vehicle (GJ-01-HT-9173) and another CMS staffer were again taken to the scene of crime on Thursday. One team visited Bengaluru Central Prison in Parappana Agrahara, following clues that the accused conducted the operation from inside the jail premises. Around 18 teams have been formed to probe the case. Central Crime Branch (CCB) officials have also been also roped in for the investigation, which is being supervised by four Joint Commissioners of Police. More than 50 senior police officers in the rank of ACP and police inspectors are checking CCTV footage and other technical details on suspicion that the gang has fled to a neighbouring state. Police question Swift owner The accused had used registration number KA-03-NC-8052 for the Innova in which they initially escaped with the money from the city. During investigations, police found that the registration number belongs to a white Maruti Swift, and the owner is Gangadhar, a senior citizen who lives on Indiranagar 100 Feet Road. A traffic police officer visited Gangadhars residence soon after the daylight heist, and found the Swift with the same registration number parked inside the house compound. Police explained to him that his vehicles registration number was used by the gang that had robbed Rs 7.11 crore and escaped. Police checked the car details with the owner to rule out the possibility of any foul play. His statements were also recorded. Gangadhar (78) told the media that he doesnt know why his cars number plate was used, and police should investigate. Police must find out how the accused got my car number. A traffic police officer came to my residence on Wednesday afternoon, saying my car number had been misused. Later, I got to know through the media. The car is a 2018 model, I am the single owner and have driven around 45,000km. I rarely use my car, and had taken it to the showroom to change the old number plate to High Security Registration Plate. I am a heart patient and my blood pressure has shot up ever since I found out about the car number being used for the robbery. I did not sleep the entire night,he said. Police on the job: Home Minister G Parameshwara Meanwhile, Home Minister G Parameshwara told the media that police have taken all information, and are checking if the accused are from Karnataka or any other state. The registration number of a Maruti Swift was used for the Innova, and the owner has been contacted. After the robbery, the accused changed vehicles to transport the cash. Exact information about the vehicles in which the cash was taken is not yet known. The accused will be arrested soon, the minister said.
The inauguration of these trains is scheduled for 24 November, with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav and Minister of State for Skill Development Jayant Chaughery flagging off the trains at Baraut railway station in Baghpat.
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Delhi blast: NIA takes four prime accused in custody
In a significant breakthrough, the National Investigation Agency has detained four additional suspects tied to the recent blast in Delhi, elevating the total arrests to six. The individuals, hailing from Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh, have been implicated in orchestrating the attack. This follows the earlier capture of two suspects, intensifying the investigation into this chilling act of terror.
Cricket: Hard Work Of Legends Has Led Us To 2025 Being A Memorable Year, Says Meghna Singh
ODI World Cup: India pacer Meghna Singh said 2025 will be remembered as a landmark year for womens cricket, adding that the hard work of past legends for laying the foundation of the sport in the country has led to new milestones and broader recognition. The year 2025 will forever be remembered as an epic year for womens cricket in India starting from retaining the U19 Womens T20 World Cup title, then winning the 50-over tri-series in Sri Lanka, emerging victorious in both white-ball series in England, and clinching the biggest title of them all the 2025 Womens ODI World Cup on home soil. Yes, it's a very memorable year for women's cricket. Obviously, we have put in a lot of hard work in the past. Our old players and legends had put in a lot of hard work, and that is what has brought us to where we are today, said Meghna in an exclusive conversation with IANS, on the sidelines of an event by OneDice on Thursday. Since her debut in 2021, Meghna has played a Test, 17 ODIs, and nine T20Is, apart from playing in the Womens T20 Challenge and Womens Premier League. Hailing from Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh, Meghna stated her evolution as a player has been huge. When you start your journey for the first time, you set an aim that you want to make a career in this field, and after that, you start that thing. So, gradually, there is a little struggle, you have to practice daily, and work on that thing daily. So, these are the small things that make you successful in the future. The fan meet that we had today, from there we have got to know that there will be a lot of changes for cricket in the future. When you start your journey for the first time, you set an aim that you want to make a career in this field, and after that, you start that thing. So, gradually, there is a little struggle, you have to practice daily, and work on that thing daily. Also Read: Live Cricket Score She signed off by hoping to give her best for whichever side picks her during the WPL mega auction on November 27 in New Delhi. I don't have any expectations; I just want to give my best to the team that I get a chance to play for. Article Source: IANS
Noida International Airport will soon offer direct bus services to key cities in Uttar Pradesh. The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation has partnered with the airport for this initiative. This expansion will connect travellers to cultural, religious, and economic hubs. The airport is also linking with other state transport agencies for wider reach.
AAPs Provide Employment Ensure Social Justice march reaches Pratapgarh on its 9th day
Aam Aadmi Party's 'Provide Employment Ensure Social Justice' march, led by Sanjay Singh, reached Pratapgarh. The procession highlighted unemployment and escalating injustice against Dalits and backward communities in Uttar Pradesh, citing various incidents as evidence of government failure. The march saw participation from diverse groups and will continue towards Prayagraj.
Meerut horror: Doctor uses glue instead of stitches to patch up kid's face
A doctor in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, allegedly used glue instead of stitches on a child's facial wound, prompting a family complaint and an investigation. The child experienced discomfort, leading the family to seek further treatment. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about medical negligence in India, with previous cases of mistaken identity during surgery and unqualified practitioners.
Four more held in Delhi blast case, sent to NIA custody for 10 days
The accused have been identified as Dr Muzammil Shakeel Ganai of Pulwama, Dr Adeel Ahmed Rather of Anantnag and Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagay of Shopian all from Jammu and Kashmir and Dr Shaheen Saeed of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. They were arrested earlier in the day, taking the total arrests to six
Four accused in Red Fort blast case produced in Delhi court
Four individuals arrested in connection with the Red Fort blast case were presented before a Delhi court on Thursday. The accused hail from Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh. The National Investigation Agency is expected to request their custody for further interrogation. This development marks a significant step in the ongoing investigation into the incident.
The NIA has arrested four more individuals, including a Lucknow-based doctor, in connection with the Red Fort blast. These arrests bring the total to six, with the new detainees allegedly playing a significant role in the planning and execution of the attack. The agency is working to dismantle the entire network behind the incident.
Panic erupted at Lions Public School in Hardoi as at least 16 students fell ill due to fumes, experiencing coughing and breathlessness. While initially suspected as a lab leak, preliminary findings suggest a student may have sprayed pepper spray in a lavatory. Several students fainted, prompting a mass evacuation and hospitalizations. Investigations are underway.
Biometric attendance mandatory for madrasa teachers in UP's Aligarh
In a significant move, the Aligarh district administration has implemented a biometric attendance system for all madrasa educators, in compliance with directives from the Uttar Pradesh government. This change means that teacher salaries will now be based on these recorded biometric inputs.
Literature fest explores art, heritage and the spirit of the armed forces
Abhivyakti, HQ Central Command's annual literature and cultural festival, concluded in Lucknow Cantonment, drawing writers, artists, and Army families. The two-day event featured discussions on military narratives, women's empowerment, and heritage, alongside poetry recitals, book launches, and cultural performances. A Sufi Night and a heritage walk at La Martiniere College were also highlights.
Bihars comeback king: Nitish Kumar to swear in for 10th term, NDA gears up for fresh power play
JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar is set to take oath as Bihars chief minister for a record 10th time today, days after the NDA secured a decisive victory in the assembly elections. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled at Patnas historic Gandhi Maidan, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and several top NDA leaders are expected to attend. In addition to the main stage, several pandals have been erected to accommodate VIPs, while elaborate security arrangements have been put in place, with over three lakh people anticipated to be present, according to a senior BJP leader. Kumar submitted his resignation as the outgoing chief minister to Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Wednesday. He was accompanied by Union Minister Chirag Paswan, RLM chief Upendra Kushwaha, and Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya. State BJP chief Dilip Jaiswal told reporters that the governor accepted the resignation and asked Kumar to continue as caretaker CM until the new government was formed. Ahead of the ceremony, Nitish Kumar on Thursday took to X to share his thoughts, I, Nitish Kumar, swear by God This sentence is a symbol of the unwavering faith and self-confidence of crores of Biharis. Today, from the historic Gandhi Maidan, this voice will echo once again, and Bihar will embark on a new journey of development, he wrote. He extended his congratulations and best wishes to all Biharis on the occasion, calling it a historic moment for the state. Earlier, JD(U) had shared a post stating, History is about to be made in Bihar. Honorable Nitish Kumar ji will take the oath for the post of Chief Minister, a symbol of Bihar's development and trust. Bihar will write another new chapter of development; this moment will be a moment of pride for all Biharis. Let us all witness this historic moment. Following meetings of newly elected MLAs, Kumar was elected leader of the NDA legislature party. Senior BJP leader Samrat Choudhary was chosen as the partys legislature leader, with Vijay Kumar Sinha appointed deputy leader. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, appointed as central observer by the BJP for the legislature party election in Bihar, was present at the meeting, alongside Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and former Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, who were co-observers for the process. Lobbying among NDA allies to finalise cabinet berths continued throughout the day. Sources said the new Bihar Cabinet is expected to include 16 ministers from the BJP and 14 from JD(U), including CM Nitish Kumar. Consensus has reportedly been reached among NDA partners to appoint BJPs Prem Kumar as Assembly Speaker, with the Deputy Speakers post likely going to JD(U). Sources indicate that five to six new faces are expected in the cabinet from the main NDA constituents BJP and JD(U). Umesh Singh Kushwaha, JD(U) state chief and Mahnar MLA, is likely to be inducted. While JD(U) is expected to retain most of its current ministers, the BJP may bring in a few new faces. Smaller allies LJP(RV) led by Union Minister Chirag Paswan, HAM-S led by Jitan Ram Manjhi, and RLM led by Upendra Kushwaha will also get representation. The LJP(RV) is expected to get three berths, HAM-S and RLM one berth each. In total, 16 BJP ministers, 14 JD(U) ministers, and CM Nitish Kumar will take oath on November 20. JD(U) leaders likely to be part of the cabinet include Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Shrowan Kumar, Sunil Kumar, Lesi Singh, Sheila Mandal, Madan Sahni, Ratnesh Sada, Mohammad Zama Khan, Jayant Raj, Umesh Singh Kushwaha, Ashok Chowdhary, Rahul Kumar Singh, Sudhanshu Shekhar, Kaladhar Prasad Mandal, and Panna Lal Singh Patel. Outgoing BJP ministers expected to continue include Samrat Choudhary, Prem Kumar, Mangal Pandey, Vijay Kumar Sinha, Nitish Mishra, Renu Devi, Jibesh Kumar, Neeraj Kumar Singh, Janak Ram, Hari Sahni, Kedar Prasad Gupta, Surendra Mehta, Santosh Kumar Singh, Sunil Kumar, and Motil Lal Prasad. Potential new faces from BJP include former IPS officer Anand Mishra (elected from Buxar), Rana Randhir, Gayatri Devi, and Vijay Kumar Khemka. JD(U) leaders highlighted that, given the partys sharp rise in MLA count since 2020, more cabinet berths were expected this term. In the outgoing government, BJP had 15 ministers, JD(U) 12 including CM Nitish Kumar, HAM-S had one, and one Independent minister. The NDA stormed back to power in Bihar, winning 202 seats in the 243-member assembly. BJP secured 89 seats, JD(U) 85, LJP(RV) 19, HAM 5, and RLM 4. Meanwhile, Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor described his decision not to contest the Bihar polls as a mistake, noting that his party received less than 4% of votes. In an interview with NDTV , he said, My decision not to contest polls can be considered a mistake. We have to do a lot to achieve a satisfactory result. I had never expected that our party would get less than 4% votes in the assembly polls. Kishor also asserted his commitment to future electoral efforts, stating, I will not back down without winning Bihar. I dont know how much time it will take.
The Uttar Pradesh Home Guard Department has opened applications for 41,424 positions, with 20% reserved for women, closing on December 17. Applicants must complete One-Time Registration (OTR) before applying and pay a fee of 400 for General/OBC/EWS and 300 for SC/ST. Eligibility requires Class 10 pass and an age between 18-30 years.
200 doctors, staff of Al Falah University under scanner after Red Fort car blast
University at the centre of investigations by the National Investigation Agency, the Delhi Police Special Cell, Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad, Faridabad Crime Branch and Jammu and Kashmir Police
Congress dilemma in Upper House
NEW DELHI: Still reeling from its devastating performance in the Bihar Assembly elections, the Congress now faces a critical test of biannual Rajya Sabha elections, scheduled for early next year. With the partys Assembly seats shrinking in several key states and alliance leverage weakening, it may struggle to retain its influence in the Upper House. Elections for 75 seats in the Rajya Sabha are scheduled across April, June, and November 2026. While the BJP-led NDA is expected to make net gains, the elections may present an uphill task for the Congress with its weakened MLA base and rising internal dissent. The elections will see seats vacated across multiple states, including Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Himachal Pradesh, among others. Although Congress may lose some seats, it is likely to retain as many as nine seatsthree from Karnataka, two from Telangana, one each from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. With some seasoned leaders set to exit, the elections are viewed as crucial by many. Some of the leaders who complete their term in the Upper House include Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, veteran leaders Digvijaya Singh and Shakti Singh Gohil. Another leader who completes his term is senior advocate and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi from Telangana in April 2026. While Kharge, whose term from Karnataka ends on June 25, 2026, is expected to be renominated for another term, says party sources. Kharge is the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha (LoP) as well. While veteran leaders may push for renomination, arguing that experienced voices are needed in the Upper House, a section of leaders also root for fielding fresh faces to revive the partys prospects in Parliament and state units. Although the official candidate selection process is months away, the sources say that some names are already doing the rounds. While Congress is expected to hold ground in Karnataka and Telangana, it risks losing seats in states where its footprint has shrunk. The partys hopes also hinge on coalition arithmetic in Maharashtra, where shifting alliances and fragmented mandates could influence the outcome Meanwhile, regional allies within the INDIA bloc will also play a critical role in negotiating seat-sharing arrangements, making strategic alliances more crucial than ever. Maharashtra will see seven seats vacant in April 2026, with Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP), Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena UBT), and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale completing their terms. Congress is entering these elections with limited leverage. The Bihar election has reduced its bargaining power among the allies, said a senior party leader. Success will depend not just on numbers, but on negotiation skills and candidate selection. On the other hand, the BJP-led NDA, buoyed by strong Assembly numbers in key states, is expected to leverage its dominance to gain additional Rajya Sabha seats, further squeezing Congress. Kharge, Singhvi among those completing terms this year Some of the leaders who complete their term in the Upper House include Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, veteran leaders Digvijaya Singh and Shakti Singh Gohil. Another leader who completes his term is senior advocate and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi from Telangana in April 2026.
Allahabad HC bins Noori masjid committee plea
Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court has disposed of a writ petition filed by the managing committee of Fatehpur-Noori Jama Masjid, after taking into consideration the Uttar Pradesh governments categorical undertaking that no further demolition of the religious structure was required. However, the division bench, comprising Justices Atul Sreedharan and Anish Kumar Gupta, granted the petitioner Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
ED gets 13-day custody of Al Falah group chairman
NEW DELHI/SRINAGAR/LUCKNOW: The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is investigating the Al Falah group at the centre of the Delhi blast case for alleged money laundering, has uncovered tainted funds amounting to Rs 415 crore, sources said on Wednesday. The agency has secured 13-day custody of Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui , the chairman and founder of the group. An official said the Al Falah group generated proceeds of crime by deceiving students through false claims about the accreditation and recognition of its institutions. Meanwhile, sources said around 10 people associated with the Al-Falah University, including three from Kashmir, are missing. Their mobile phones too are switched off. Their disappearances came to light after a joint operation by the J&K and Haryana police. In J&K, the police on Wednesday inspected lockers belonging to doctors in the Valley. In Uttar Pradesh, the state Anti-Terrorist Squad launched a comprehensive information-gathering exercise across eight districts, seeking detailed records of all students, teachers and management personnel associated with all operational madrasas. ED probe against Al-Falah group unearths 'cheating' to the tune of Rs 415 crore Al Falah Group chairman's family property in MP's Mhow gets notice for unauthorised construction
No live-in: All-caste khap makes parental consent must for love marriages
LUCKNOW: An all-caste Sarv Khap Panchayat in Muzaffarnagar in western Uttar Pradesh, unanimously passed 11 resolutions against what it called the prevalent social evils, including opposition to live-in relationships and homosexuality and making parental consent for love marriage mandatory. The panchayat also recommended ending traditional 13-day death feast. Notably, it set up a committee to enforce the decisions, with the next meeting scheduled for 2035. Organised in Sorum village of Shahpur Nagar panchayat area on Tuesday, it saw former Union minister Sanjeev Balyan and present Uttar Pradesh minister Kapil Dev Agarwal among the prominent attendees that attracted around 15,000 people. The khap, which witnessed the participation of khap chaudharis and thumbedars of around 36 communities, along with farmers and common people, held three-day deliberations on what the organisers called social evils, traditions, and vices spreading in the society. Participants came from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir. The chaudhary of the Balyan Khap and Bharatiya Kisan Union national president Naresh Tikait and national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait also attended the event. Budhana MLA Rajpal Balyan and Muzaffarnagar MP Harendra Malik also participated in it. Its leaders decided that an all-caste panchayat should be held once in a decade to address social evils. What the Sarv Khap Panchayat resolved Ban on death feasts, female feticide, and dowry system Initiative for de-addiction Opposition to live-in relationships, homosexuality Parental consent for love marriage Girl child education Environmental, cow protection
Codeine cough syrup worth Rs2cr seized from warehouse
Uttar Pradesh Education Commission faces uproar over repeated delays of TGT examination
Aspirants raised concerns that it was the fifth time the examination has been postponed, adding the government system is playing with future of lakhs of candidates, who are jobless and facing a bleak future wasting prime years in the hope of government jobs
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