Assam Becomes Third State To Pass Uniform Civil Code Bill Amid Opposition Protests The Assam Legislative Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill on Wednesday, marking the state as the third in India to enact the controversial legislation after Uttarakhand and Gujarat. The historic decision, passed despite intense opposition protests, aims to unify personal laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and other civil matters. The bill, introduced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, faces criticism from opposition parties who argue it was rushed through to influence the upcoming elections. The UCC bill, also known as the "Uniform Civil Code," seeks to replace disparate personal laws with a single legal framework applicable to all citizens, regardless of religion. Key provisions include strict penalties for bigamy and polygamy, with offenders facing up to seven years of imprisonment and fines of up to ₹25,000. The law mandates that all marriages, divorces, and other civil matters must be registered with the government, with non-compliance resulting in fines and jail terms. Live-in relationships, previously unregulated, are now governed by the bill. Partners must register their relationships with the government within a month of starting the relationship, or face penalties of up to three months in jail and fines of ₹10,000. Failure to disclose accurate information during registration could result in stricter penalties. The law also criminalizes fraudulent registration of relationships, with offenders facing up to three months in jail. Inheritance rights are restructured to ensure gender equality.#trinamool_congress #indian_national_congress #himanta_biswa_sarma #uniform_civil_code #assam_legislative_assembly
Congress in Maharashtra Faces Existential Crisis Amid Repeated Alliance Struggles The Indian National Congress (INC) in Maharashtra has found itself in a precarious position as its reliance on alliance politics has sparked growing discontent among party workers and leaders. The party’s repeated compromises with the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), particularly within the Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, have eroded its traditional base and raised questions about its long-term viability in the state. Analysts and party insiders warn that this pattern of alliance-driven politics risks further marginalizing the Congress, which has already seen its influence wane in recent years. The MVA coalition, formed in 2019, initially aimed to counter the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra. However, the Congress’s role within the alliance has increasingly resembled that of a junior partner, with its leaders forced to cede key constituencies and electoral strategies to its allies. This has led to frustration among grassroots workers, who feel their party is losing its identity and autonomy. For instance, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress secured the highest vote share in the state but was compelled to hand over critical seats like Sangli and Mumbai to its allies, despite having strong local support. Recent events have exacerbated these tensions. During the Rajya Sabha elections, the Congress was pressured to support Shiv Sena’s candidate for a seat, even though the party had a viable contender. Similarly, in the Vidhan Parishad elections, the Congress was forced to back Shiv Sena’s leader, Uddhav Thackeray, despite internal dissent.#indian_national_congress #bharatiya_janata_party #nationalist_congress_party #mahavikas_aghadi #shiv_sena_ubs
Gujarat Local Body Elections 2026: BJP Sweeps Municipal Corporations, AAP and Congress Suffer Major Defeats The 2026 Gujarat local body elections concluded on April 28, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) securing a decisive victory across all 15 municipal corporations. The results marked a significant setback for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Indian National Congress (INC), which faced heavy losses in the state’s urban and rural local governance elections. The outcome is seen as a strong indicator of BJP’s dominance ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections. The election, which included contests for 15 municipal corporations, 84 nagar panchayats, 34 district panchayats, and 260 taluka panchayats, saw over 41.8 million eligible voters participate. BJP’s victory in the municipal corporations was particularly notable, as these are considered key battlegrounds for political parties. In Ahmedabad, the BJP won 158 out of 192 seats, reinforcing its stronghold in the state’s largest city. In Surat, the party secured 115 seats out of 127, while AAP managed only four seats and the INC won a single seat in the same municipal corporation. In rural areas, BJP also emerged as the dominant force. The party won 568 seats out of 1,090 in district panchayats, compared to 77 seats for the INC and 30 for other parties. In taluka panchayats, BJP captured 2,397 seats from a total of 5,234, with the INC securing 591 and others claiming 329. The results underscored BJP’s ability to consolidate support across both urban and rural constituencies. Key cities like Rajkot, Jamnagar, and Morbi saw BJP’s complete dominance, with the party winning all 72, 64, and 52 seats respectively in their municipal corporations. In Vapi, BJP secured 37 seats out of 52, while the INC claimed 11.#ahmedabad #indian_national_congress #bharatiya_janata_party #aam_aadmi_party #gujarat_local_body_elections_2026
Congress Rebuffs 'Self-Styled Vishwaguru' Over Pakistan's Mediation Role in West Asia The Indian National Congress criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, for its handling of diplomatic efforts in the West Asia region, accusing it of failing to match Pakistan's strategic engagement. The party claimed that despite India's military successes in Operation Sindoor, Pakistan's diplomatic initiatives and narrative management have been "markedly superior to that of the Modi government." Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, speaking on X, stated that reports suggesting Pakistan is acting as an intermediary between the U.S.-Israel alliance and Iran represent a "severe setback" for India. He attributed this to Modi's alleged overconfidence, referring to him as a "self-styled Vishwaguru" (global guru). Ramesh emphasized that Pakistan's role in facilitating dialogue between the U.S. and Iran, despite its own political and economic challenges, highlights a stark contrast to India's diplomatic approach. The Congress leader also criticized Modi's recent visit to Israel, which coincided with U.S.-Israel airstrikes on Iran. Ramesh argued that the timing of the visit undermined India's potential to mediate tensions, calling it a "disastrous choice" that has weakened India's position. He further accused the Modi government of "huglomacy" (a term implying excessive focus on military power over diplomacy) and warned that the country is paying a price for this approach. Ramesh highlighted Pakistan's improved global standing, noting that President Donald Trump had engaged with Pakistani officials, including Field Marshall Asim Munir, despite Pakistan's past instability.#pakistan #narendra_modi #indian_national_congress #jairam_ramesh #brics_summit
The Indian National Congress party has finalized its list of candidates for contested assembly constituencies, with key decisions emerging from a marathon meeting held in Kochi. The party's high command, led by President Mallikarjun Kharge, resolved to avoid allowing MPs to contest in the upcoming elections, a stance that led to the resignation of K. Sudhakaran, a senior leader who had previously pushed for such a move. This decision was formalized during a critical meeting at Kharge's residence, which concluded at 2:15 PM. Notable candidates include T. T. Mohan in Kozhikode, Satish Kochu in Kondotty, and Shabari Nath in Nematth. Other selections include Abhin Varki in Aranmula, Sudhir Shah Palot in Vamanapuram, N. Shaktan in Neyyattinkara, Madhu in Ranjith, Roy K. Paulos in Ittikkurich, and Natesh in Ettumanoor. The second phase of the ticket list is set to be announced at 10 AM. The party also confirmed that five constituencies remain contested, with disputes ongoing in Udumalpet, Kottayam, and Chayamangalath. Meanwhile, the Congress's decision to exclude MPs from contesting has been met with resistance, particularly from Sudhakaran, whose efforts to push for their inclusion were thwarted. Party leaders, including Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph and opposition leader V. D. Satheesh, emphasized that the final decisions on contested seats were left to the high command. Satheesh also assured that the list would be finalized today, alleviating concerns for candidates who did not secure tickets. The meeting marked a pivotal moment in the party's strategy for the upcoming elections, balancing internal dynamics with electoral considerations.#kochi #indian_national_congress #mallikarjun_kharge #kerala_pradesh_congress_committee #sudhakaran
Cong protests LPG price hike, demands rollback The Indian National Congress launched widespread protests across Maharashtra in response to the recent increase in LPG cylinder prices, with the party demanding an immediate reversal of the hike and a clear policy statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Maharashtra unit president Harshwardhan Sapkal led the demonstrations, urging the government to address rising fuel costs and ensure a stable supply of LPG cylinders. The protests took place in multiple districts, including Nagpur, Pune, Thane, Wardha, Buldhana, Gondia, and Palghar, as well as towns like Tiroda, Bhiwandi, Kalyan-Dombivli, Dharashiv, Rajura in Chandrapur district, and Panvel. The party declared the agitation would continue until the government resolved concerns over fuel prices and supply shortages. Speaking at a protest in Trimbakeshwar, Nashik district, Sapkal criticized the government for burdening citizens with higher prices, attributing the rise to what he called "wrong policies" by the Central government. He argued that instead of citing global conflicts as a justification for the price hike, the government should prioritize the welfare of ordinary people. "The 60 rupee increase in LPG cylinder prices has pushed ordinary citizens deeper into inflationary pressure," Sapkal stated, calling on Modi to engage with stakeholders to address the issue. He also highlighted the dual challenges of rising prices and supply shortages, noting that small businesses such as hotels and eateries were struggling due to difficulties in obtaining commercial cylinders. The protests reflect growing public frustration with the government’s handling of fuel pricing and supply logistics.#maharashtra #narendra_modi #indian_national_congress #lpg_cylinder #harshwardhan_sapkal
37 Rajya Sabha Seats Go To Polls Today; Key Leaders Nitish Kumar, Nitin Nabin Contest The Rajya Sabha elections are set for Monday, with voting required for 11 seats in Bihar, Odisha, and Haryana, while 26 seats across seven states will go unopposed. A total of 37 seats are up for grabs, including seven in Maharashtra, six in Tamil Nadu, five in West Bengal, three in Assam, and two each in Chhattisgarh, Haryana, and Telangana. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), in power in six states, holds 134 seats, while the opposition Indian National Congress (INC) bloc, governing four states, has 80 seats. The polls are critical for shaping the balance of power in the upper house of Parliament. Key leaders from both major parties are contesting the elections. Nitish Kumar, the former Chief Minister of Bihar and leader of the Janata Dal (United), is vying for a seat in the Rajya Sabha. Similarly, Nitin Nabin, a prominent leader from the Trinamool Congress, is also running in the fray. The outcome of these elections is expected to influence legislative priorities and policy directions in the coming months. The unopposed seats, which account for 26 of the 37, are primarily in states where the ruling party has a clear majority. However, the contested seats in Bihar, Odisha, and Haryana are seen as battlegrounds where political alliances and voter sentiment could shift the dynamics. Analysts suggest that the results may reflect the broader political landscape, with the NDA and INC vying for dominance in key states. The elections come at a time of heightened political activity, with both parties mobilizing resources and campaign strategies. The outcome is likely to have implications for the government’s legislative agenda, including major bills and policy initiatives.#rajya_sabha #indian_national_congress #nitish_kumar #nitin_nabin #national_democratic_alliance
Ganesh Kumar Responds to Allegations, Says ‘I Have Five Thousand Loves’ Amid Political Row Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar addressed allegations tied to issues involving women, dismissing them as a political move by the Indian National Congress ahead of elections. He claimed that his personal life is not a subject for public scrutiny and accused critics of attempting to undermine his reputation. Kumar asserted that he has “five thousand loves,” a metaphor for his alleged numerous relationships, and questioned who among the public has never experienced love. He further stated that those who claim to have never loved are “fools,” while emphasizing that both he and his supporters are deeply connected. Kumar also accused his political opponents of spreading false narratives, stating that the allegations are part of a broader strategy to discredit him. He claimed that the accusations are baseless and that his integrity as a public servant is beyond doubt. When asked about the credibility of the claims, Kumar insisted that his supporters, including the people of his constituency, would not believe such allegations. He also hinted at the possibility of legal action, stating that anyone who wishes to challenge him can do so. The controversy emerged after a complaint was filed against Kumar by his wife, alleging misconduct. Rahul Mangkoottil, a political rival, mocked Kumar’s response, suggesting he should address the allegations directly. Kumar, however, refused to engage with the issue, instead shifting focus to his political ambitions. He claimed that the failure to secure a mayoral position was due to personal vendettas and that his opponents are “foes who live in his home.#minister_k_b_ganesh_kumar #indian_national_congress #rahul_mangkoottil #kumar_wife #political_row
