India has blocked Telegram until June 22, targeting cheating rackets using the platform to defraud students ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination. The government also ordered Telegram to disable its message-editing feature in India until June 30, preventing the creation of fake paper leak evidence.
CPI(M) leader MA Baby criticized Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's comments at the INDIA bloc meeting, stating Gandhi should not facilitate ED/Modi govt actions by demanding opposition arrests, rather than hugging political rivals like Pinarayi Vijayan.
Rahul Gandhi asserted that the INDIA bloc has effectively "already won" the 2029 Lok Sabha elections and stressed the need for opposition unity to counter the BJP. He stated that the opposition would continue to organize people and challenge the BJP's "takeover of institutions."
Rahul Gandhi asserted that the INDIA bloc did not lose the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and has already secured victory in the 2029 polls. He emphasized unity and resistance against the BJP, dismissing claims of disunity among opposition parties.
The INDIA bloc, an opposition alliance, met to "reset" its anti-BJP strategy with a five-point truce plan. However, the article argues that the alliance failed to address the fundamental fault line of political rivalry between allies at the state level, which has historically led to its collapse. Key examples include Congress vs. Samajwadi Party in Madhya Pradesh, Congress vs. AAP in Delhi and Haryana, Congress vs. TMC in West Bengal, and Congress vs. Left in Kerala. The article questions whether the Congress, despite having an upper hand, will be willing to compromise on seats to maintain unity.
Sachin Pilot downplayed Ashok Gehlot's recent criticism, emphasizing party unity and affection. Pilot highlighted national issues like exam paper leaks and rising prices, vowing to strengthen Congress and challenge the BJP. He also criticized the Rajasthan government and alleged institutional pressure regarding Meenakshi Natarajan's Rajya Sabha nomination.
Posters criticizing Rahul Gandhi surfaced in New Delhi before the INDIA bloc meeting, highlighting past criticisms by allies like Sharad Pawar and Mamata Banerjee, amid visible strains in the opposition alliance.
The INDIA bloc opposition alliance is set to meet in New Delhi to review recent electoral losses and strategize for future challenges, amid internal tensions and party absences.
The DMK is reportedly skipping an INDIA bloc meeting on June 8 in New Delhi. This follows the Congress ending its alliance with the DMK in Tamil Nadu after the Assembly elections, aligning instead with C Joseph Vijay's TVK party.
The DMK announced it will not attend the INDIA bloc meeting on June 8 in Delhi due to the Congress's alliance with TVK. The DMK, a significant ally, expressed its stance on X, stating it will still voice concerns on national welfare issues raised by other bloc members.
TMC faces a significant crisis in West Bengal, sparking speculation about its MPs' future and its influence within the INDIA bloc. The party's heft as a major opposition voice against the BJP-led NDA government is questioned following internal splits.
Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee is pushing for an INDIA bloc meeting around June 8 to foster opposition unity against the BJP and seek support amid post-poll attacks in West Bengal. While Congress, SP, and RJD are being urged to attend, participation from DMK, AAP, and Left parties remains uncertain.
Mamata Banerjee announced an INDIA bloc meeting in early June to strategize for a prolonged political battle, alleging widespread electoral manipulation by the BJP. Senior BJP leader Keya Ghosh refuted these claims, accusing Banerjee of refusing to accept the verdict and resorting to conspiracy theories.
DMK mouthpiece Murasoli criticized Congress and Rahul Gandhi for alleged lack of gratitude after the party left the DMK-led alliance. The editorial highlighted DMK chief M K Stalin's role in forming the INDIA bloc and supporting Congress's inclusion, despite opposition from other leaders. Murasoli also accused Congress members close to Gandhi of targeting the DMK government.
Akhilesh's remark was in the backdrop of the Congress snapping ties with ally DMK in Tamil Nadu and extending support to actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which has added to rancour in the INDIA bloc. The 2026 assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have cast a foreboding shadow on the NDA's rival bloc as Mamata and Stalin were two powerful regional leaders in the anti-BJP camp.
Cracks have emerged within the INDIA bloc following the Tamil Nadu election results, with the DMK accusing its ally, the Congress, of "backstabbing" for supporting actor-politician Vijay's TVK party. The DMK criticized the Congress' decision as "foolhardy" and driven by ego, questioning its trustworthiness and potential impact on other alliance partners.
Kerala's voters have ousted the CPM-led LDF, marking the first time since 1977 India has no Communist-governed state. The Congress-led UDF's victory, fueled by anti-incumbency, signals a significant challenge for the Left's national relevance and may impact the INDIA bloc's dynamics. Defeat was compounded by the win of CPM rebels.
Recent election results have significantly weakened the INDIA bloc, with key allies DMK and TMC facing defeats. This outcome forces the opposition to reconsider its strategy against the BJP's expanding influence. The alliance must now prioritize unity and joint planning, especially in crucial states like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, to counter the BJP's narrative and prepare for future electoral battles.
Five Indian assembly elections - West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry - await results on Monday, with BJP targeting its first Bengal victory while opposition parties defend their southern and eastern strongholds. The outcomes will test BJP's national expansion under Modi and determine the future of key INDIA bloc allies DMK and TMC, with exit polls showing divergent predictions for Bengal and a potential Congress breakthrough in Kerala.
Results of assembly elections in five Indian states - West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry - set to reveal national political mood. BJP aims to capture Bengal, a long-cherished dream, while Mamata Banerjee defends her stronghold. DMK faces challenge from Vijay's new TVK in Tamil Nadu, Congress hopes to break its drought in Kerala by defeating Left Front after 1977, and BJP expected to win third term in Assam.
Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju attacked AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal claiming all good people have left the party after seven Rajya Sabha MPs resigned and joined BJP. Rijiju rejected allegations of coercion by central agencies, stating the investigation agencies do their work. He accused Kejriwal of turning AAP into his private party and said only those engaged in illegal activities remain. The BJP leader also targeted the INDIA bloc, alleging internal divisions and accusing opposition leaders of uniting only to loot. The mass exodus saw two-thirds of AAP's Rajya Sabha members including Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal join BJP, boosting the party's strength to 113 MPs.
The absence of joint rallies between Rahul Gandhi and alliance partners like MK Stalin in Tamil Nadu raises concerns about Congress's coalition strategy. This visual gap fuels speculation and opposition attacks, contrasting with proactive alliance building seen from other INDIA bloc leaders like Arvind Kejriwal.
