Politics — Page 19
Elections, government, public policy, diplomacy and geopolitical action
Death of Bengal MLA Ashish Banerjee amid corruption taint in state politics
Ashish Banerjee, a five-time Trinamool MLA and former West Bengal Minister, was found dead in a Rampurhat party office. A note near the body, reportedly denying corruption, accompanies a backdrop of broader graft allegations affecting the Trinamool Congress after the May assembly results.
Police record UDF leader’s statement in Kozhikode anthem row
Police recorded the statement of UDF opposition leader S.V. Mohammed Shameel Thangal over the August 15 ceremony in Kozhikode where two groups sang Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram. The investigation follows complaints from LDF, UDF and BJP members about perceived insult to the national anthem and n
Tamil Nadu aims to speed up certificate issuance with three-tier system
Tamil Nadu's revenue and disaster management minister announced a plan to streamline certificate delivery through a three-tier official structure, plus related reforms and investments. The package includes new sub-taluk offices, tablets for frontline staff, land rights measures, and disaster-managem
Kerala Lokayukta orders removal of unauthorised, hazardous utility installations from bridges
The Kerala Lokayukta directed the Public Works Department (Bridges) to clear unauthorised utility installations from bridges within three months, following a petition about obstructed pedestrian pathways and safety hazards. The order involves joint inspections, re-routing or burial of pipelines and
Opium farmers demand more licenses, ₹1 lakh/kg price
Opium farmers from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh protested at Jantar Mantar on August 17, 2026, urging higher licenses and a ₹1,00,000 per kilogram procurement price. They also called for reinstatement of leases cancelled since 1990, a morphine yield basis, abolition of the CPS method,
Five more arrests in Bankura activist death case as CJP delegates visit
Eight people have been arrested in connection with the death of the father of a CJP activist in Bankura. A CJP delegation visited the activist’s home and urged action, while authorities and a political figure dismissed allegations of police complicity.
BJP MP denounces dimagi Naxals as dangerous ideology
A BJP Rajya Sabha MP released a Facebook video calling 'dimagi Naxals' a threat greater than forest-based extremists. He described urban intellectuals and thought leaders as the new form of ideologues aiming to undermine India's democratic institutions.
BJP Telangana unit loses top posts in national reshuffle
Telangana’s three senior national office-bearers were removed in a BJP leadership reshuffle, fueling disappointment among state leaders. The changes left Telangana underrepresented in the new national team while Andhra Pradesh gained several positions.
Telangana SIR draft rolls: 73.39 lakh deleted, 92 lakh to receive notices
Telangana Chief Electoral Office released the SIR draft rolls, showing 73.39 lakh deletions and 92 lakh notices planned. The process also flagged anomalies, unmapped electors, and detailed timelines for claims and objections.
How Shahzad Bhatti’s social-media network linked operatives across states
Indian security agencies dismantled a network tied to Pakistani gangster Shahzad Bhatti, who recruited operatives via social media. Over 200 arrests followed a nationwide operation ahead of Independence Day, with ISI backing and activities spanning multiple states and cross-border links.
Karnataka govt withdraws 2018 RGUHS amendment bill
The Karnataka government withdrew the 2018 Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences Amendment Bill in the state Assembly as it moves toward a comprehensive RGUHS reform. The bill aimed to replace IAS and KAS officers with doctors as Registrars, a proposal the Governor had sought clarifications on.
Education Minister orders NTA to audit exams and report corrective actions
India’s Education Minister Pralhad Joshi directed the National Testing Agency to conduct a comprehensive audit of examination processes and submit a corrective action report. The move follows the re-conduction decision for three UGC-NET papers and disclosures of staff changes and security upgrades a
Ongole to mark 150th anniversary with a series of events
Ongole Municipal Corporation will celebrate its 150th formation anniversary with a set of programmes starting August 24, 2026, following the 1876 establishment. Officials announced a brochure detailing the events, including the World Children’s Telugu Conference planned for December.
Surname mismatch may trigger notices in Telangana SIR, says CEO
Telangana voters with name discrepancies are to receive notices under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The Chief Electoral Officer confirmed that a full name with surname versus a name with only an initial will be treated as an anomaly, prompting verification to retain on the final rolls.
Hanur shoot-out: PFL seeks high-level inquiry into deaths
The People’s Legal Forum has called for a high-level investigation into the killing of three locals in a shoot-out at Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, Hanur taluk. Forum officials allege officials knew the victims and moved the bodies before a post-mortem and police notification, raising questions about
Hanur shoot-out: MLA distributes compensation to families
The funerals of three men killed allegedly by Forest Department personnel in Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary were held in Hanur taluk. An MLA distributed ₹15 lakh per family as compensation, funded jointly by government, a minister, and the MLA, with further action promised after a preliminary report.
BJP reshuffle and Tamil Nadu 100 days mark dominate new briefing
The Indian Express reports a major BJP organizational reshuffle with Smriti IraniReturning as general secretary while Amit Malviya loses his post. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay marks 100 days in office, announcing a wide loan waiver, alongside education and electoral administration developments ac
Pensions cancelled for 51,720 beneficiaries in Karnataka
Karnataka’s government says 51,720 social security pension beneficiaries were cancelled after ineligibility findings from a data verification exercise. Payments were suspended for those with doubtful credentials, with March 2026 marking resumed payments for those verified as eligible.
Nellore Collector extends ₹80,000 aid to woman entrepreneur
The Nellore District Collector handed ₹80,000 to Eddula Kalyani under the PGRS programme, supporting her compost fertiliser business. The event highlighted local-government efforts to back women entrepreneurs in rural areas.
Indian politicians react to Modi’s ‘dimagi Naxal’ remark
After Prime Minister Modi invoked ‘dimagi Naxals’ in Independence Day remarks, prominent figures from Congress and AAP embraced the label in social media posts, while BJP leaders defended Modi and criticized the responses.
Afghanistan Embassy Delhi marks Taliban fifth anniversary
The Afghan Embassy in Delhi held a Victory Day event on August 17, 2026, celebrating five years since the Taliban took power. Attendees included Afghan officials and a senior Indian external affairs official, with earlier marked celebrations on August 15, 2026.
Kerala SC/ST panel disposes 208 cases in six hearings
The Kerala State Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes reported that 208 cases have been disposed of across six district hearings, with 272 complaints taken up in Palakkad district so far. The sessions also included a review of the Government Medical College Palakkad and plans for a f
Congress a party of 'Justice for Brothers', Rao says
Telangana BJP chief N. Ramchander Rao accused Congress of favoring a single family and urged disclosure of MBC Corporation funding. He linked Muslim 5% reservation within the BC quota to diverting BC benefits and cited past UPA representation concerns, while urging publicisation of welfare schemes.
Power play in Pala ahead of chairperson election
With the chairperson vote in Pala due on August 19, 2026, the contest has intensified as alliances shift. The Save Congress Forum and LDF seek to shape the outcome against a UDF-backed candidate, amid revolts and realignments within the council.