Punjab's AAP government passed a new law to strengthen punishment for sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib. However, the Akal Takht, the highest Sikh religious body, has objected to administrative provisions, not the penalties, arguing they encroach on religious institutions' domain.
Sahra Wagenknecht's populist-left party, BSW, has offered to cooperate with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) to challenge mainstream parties. The move, particularly targeting eastern Germany, aims to break the 'firewall' against the AfD and potentially siphon voters.
Martin Reichardt, a senior lawmaker for Germany's far-right AfD, is under pressure after a photo allegedly showing him making a Nazi salute surfaced. Reichardt denies the gesture was a joke, but two witnesses claim otherwise. The revelation comes ahead of crucial state elections where the AfD leads polls.
Malaysia sees a surge in Malay-centric political parties, with five now vying for Malay votes. Experts question the distinct differences between these parties, suggesting a lack of significant ideological divergence beyond logos and personalities.
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.
Congress criticizes PM Modi's government after petrol and diesel prices increased by ~90 paise, the second hike in a week. The party labels Modi 'Inflation Man' and claims prices have risen by Rs 4 in 4 days, reaching Rs 109 for petrol and Rs 96 for diesel.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut criticized Donald Trump's congratulations to PM Modi on the West Bengal election results, calling them premature and misplaced. Raut asserted that state elections are an internal matter and alleged the polls were conducted amid fear and systemic pressure, questioning the Election Commission's impartiality.
Gunmen on motorbikes in India’s West Bengal ambushed and killed a political aide from the ruling Hindu-nationalist party days after it swept state elections, police said on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won a resounding victory on Monday in the eastern state of more than 100 million people, taking 207 of the 294 assembly seats, for its first-ever state victory in West Bengal. Chandranath Rath, 41, a close aide of West Bengal’s BJP chief Suvendu Adhikari,...
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.
Stock markets brace for a pivotal week as vote counting begins for five Indian state elections on May 4. Analysts say outcomes in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry could influence market sentiment short-term. Meanwhile, elevated crude oil prices amid US-Iran tensions and Strait of Hormuz concerns remain the biggest macroeconomic factor for import-dependent India, with inflation risks and rupee pressure persisting.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed women voted in record numbers in assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu to teach a lesson to dynastic opposition parties opposed to women's entry into legislative bodies. Addressing an all-woman convention in his Varanasi constituency, Modi assured women he would ensure implementation of 33% reservation in Lok Sabha and state assemblies, accusing Congress, SP, TMC and DMK of uniting to defeat the Constitution amendment bill on women's reservation.
