Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has criticised the BJP following a CBI search in Sangrur, alleging that the use of central investigative agencies against political rivals is often linked to approaching elections. Reacting to the search, Mann said the CBI action indicated that the election season had arrived. He accused the BJP of deploying agencies such as the CBI and Enforcement Directorate against Opposition leaders and people associated with them in states heading towards polls.

Mann referred to the legal action involving Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren before the state assembly elections and cited similar cases involving people associated with former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He also claimed that Aam Aadmi Party leaders had faced comparable action before the Delhi assembly elections.

According to Mann, the CBI search continued for nearly six hours but yielded no findings, with the officials leaving the premises without recovering anything significant. He alleged that the operation was politically motivated and intended to damage his reputation and that of the Punjab government. Mann further linked the action to the BJP's anti-drug campaign in Punjab, claiming that the campaign had not produced the political results the party expected.

The chief minister maintained that the search was part of an attempt to create a negative narrative against the AAP government ahead of the upcoming elections. The CBI conducted a search at the residence of Rajbir Singh Ghuman, Mann's Officer on Special Duty, in Gharachon village in Sangrur. The operation quickly became a political flashpoint, with representatives of Waris Punjab De and the Akali Dal Punar Surjeet reaching the village and publicly welcoming the CBI team.

After the CBI vehicles departed, some locals were seen beating dhols, dancing bhangra and showering flower petals on the departing vehicles. Sources said the agency was probing allegations involving individuals accused of causing substantial losses to the Punjab government and misappropriating public funds.

BJP leader Tarun Chug criticised the celebrations, calling them an “extraordinary display of shamelessness.” Taking aim at AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Chug said the phase of political theatrics was over and asserted that those responsible would have to account for every rupee allegedly taken from the people of Punjab. He urged the AAP leadership to allow the investigation to continue and said the facts should determine the outcome.

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AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has alleged a “deliberate conspiracy” to remove Muslim voters from the electoral rolls in Telangana’s Goshamahal Assembly constituency through what he described as fraudulent and bulk submissions of Form 7 applications. Speaking to ANI, Owaisi referred to a recent communication from the Telangana election authorities that raised concerns over attempts to delete genuine voters using allegedly false documents. He said the Telangana Chief Electoral Officer, in a memo dated October 5, had alerted the GHMC Commissioner, District Collectors and Election Officers about bulk Form 7 applications being submitted before Electoral Registration Officers (EROs).

According to Owaisi, the memo stated that several of the applications appeared to be non-genuine and directed officials to take action under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act against individuals making false declarations. It also called for an inquiry under Rule 20 of the Registration of Electors Rules.

Owaisi said documents submitted by his party pointed to an alleged targeted attempt at Booth Number 28 in the Goshamahal Assembly segment to remove the names of 122 voters. He claimed the applications were pre-filled and sought the deletion of electors who belonged to the Muslim community.

The AIMIM leader alleged that the forms carried the name of Tudu Murty Janardhan as the applicant and included a phone number that, according to Owaisi, was linked to a BJP supporter. He further claimed that all 122 voters named in the applications were Muslims whose names had appeared on electoral rolls for years, including the 2002 rolls and the latest draft electoral list. As an example, Owaisi cited the case of 85-year-old Mirza Farooq Baig, whose name was allegedly included in the deletion requests despite his long-standing presence on the electoral rolls. Owaisi said Baig was born locally, lives with a large family and has been listed as a voter for decades.

Owaisi called for immediate action by the Election Commission of India against those responsible for the alleged fraudulent applications. He urged the ECI to enforce Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and order an inquiry under Rule 20. The AIMIM chief also praised the Booth Level Officer at Booth 28 for identifying and rejecting the allegedly fraudulent applications. He said the party’s Booth Level Agent had also secured the documents and brought the matter to attention.

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Senior Congress leader Pramod Tiwari has criticised the Election Commission over recent decisions and called for a probe into allegations concerning the poll body to be conducted under the supervision of the Supreme Court. Speaking to ANI, Tiwari questioned why BJP leader Sambit Patra was responding to allegations directed at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission.

Referring to the Hindi proverb “Begani Shaadi Mein Abdulla Diwana”, Tiwari said the Election Commission itself should have addressed the allegations rather than the BJP responding on its behalf. He argued that the development raised questions that required an independent investigation. Tiwari also urged the Supreme Court to take up the matter and ensure that an FIR is registered and the investigation is conducted under its monitoring.

His comments followed reports by The Indian Express claiming that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on at least 14 occasions over a 10-month period regarding decisions and orders linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. Another report cited by the Congress leader said Goa's Chief Electoral Officer wrote to authorities in Delhi eight times within seven days seeking access related to the process, but did not receive the requested access.

The issue has also drawn criticism from RJD MP Manoj Jha. Referring to the reported correspondence from Goa, Jha alleged that the electoral system had been manipulated and questioned whether an impartial inquiry could be conducted while the same officials remained involved. Jha also appealed to the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognisance of the matter. He said petitions concerning the SIR process are already before the apex court and argued that judicial intervention was necessary to examine the allegations.

The claims made by the opposition leaders come amid a wider political dispute over the Election Commission's handling of the SIR exercise. The allegations and the reported objections remain matters of political contention, while any formal investigation or judicial proceedings would determine the facts.

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US President Donald Trump has backed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as the United States and its regional partners look for alternative trade and energy routes amid growing concerns over disruptions linked to Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. Trump's support for the corridor comes at a time when tensions in West Asia have renewed attention on the vulnerability of major energy and shipping routes. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important pathways for oil and gas shipments, making any disruption in the area a concern for energy-importing countries and global markets.

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor was announced in 2023 as a major connectivity initiative involving India, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and European partners. The proposed network is intended to connect India with the Gulf and then link the region to Europe through a combination of maritime and rail infrastructure.

Trump's backing gives the project additional strategic significance. While IMEC was initially promoted largely as a trade and connectivity initiative, the latest focus on energy security highlights how alternative infrastructure could help countries reduce their exposure to individual transportation chokepoints.

The corridor could provide stronger connections with Gulf economies and European markets. The proposed system would combine shipping links with rail networks, allowing goods to move through multiple modes of transportation. Such connectivity could eventually help businesses diversify supply chains and reduce their dependence on a single maritime route.

The energy component is particularly significant because Gulf producers rely heavily on established routes to transport oil and other energy products to international markets. Any prolonged disruption around the Strait of Hormuz can increase shipping costs, create delays and contribute to volatility in global energy markets.

Countries in the region have therefore been examining alternative infrastructure, including pipelines and other routes that can move energy without relying entirely on the Strait. These measures do not eliminate the importance of Hormuz, but they can provide additional options during periods of heightened regional tension.

IMEC also carries wider geopolitical importance. A functioning corridor would strengthen economic links between India, the Gulf and Europe while creating another major trade network across a strategically important region. The project has also been viewed in the broader context of efforts by the United States and its partners to develop resilient supply chains and deepen economic cooperation.

The corridor is not an immediate replacement for existing oil shipping routes. Building the necessary railways, ports and other infrastructure will require substantial investment and coordination among several countries. Political instability and security concerns in the region could also affect the pace at which different parts of the project are developed.

The renewed US interest in IMEC comes as the country continues to seek greater connectivity with the Middle East and Europe. If the proposed network advances, it could eventually become an important trade link connecting Indian markets with Gulf logistics hubs and European destinations. Trump's support therefore places IMEC back in the spotlight at a time when energy security and resilient supply chains have become central concerns for governments around the world. The project's long-term impact will depend on how quickly infrastructure plans move forward and whether participating countries can maintain the cooperation needed to turn the proposed corridor into a functioning trade network.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.

Donald Trump has organised a major political convention aimed at energising Republican supporters ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. However, several Republican officials seeking re-election have chosen not to attend, instead focusing on campaigning in their home states and districts. Their absence raises questions about whether some Republicans are concerned that Trump’s current political standing and unpopularity could hurt their own chances at the polls. The discussion examines the growing tensions within the party as candidates weigh their loyalty to Trump against their own electoral prospects. This week, Jenna Amatulli hosts the discussion with Guardian US politics correspondent Rachel Leingang.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian. 

Reform UK has suspended two senior party figures following an undercover investigation that allegedly showed them discussing ways to circumvent electoral rules governing overseas donations. The investigation, conducted by Channel 4 News in collaboration with investigative group Verbatim, was released just before Nigel Farage was due to deliver his speech at the party’s conference in Birmingham. The party has launched an internal investigation into James Orr, its head of policy, and Dan Jukes, a senior adviser to Farage, over their alleged conduct in the footage. Lucy Hough is joined by senior political correspondent Peter Walker to discuss the allegations, the party’s response and what the controversy could mean for Reform UK and Farage.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Two years after taking office as Australia's Governor-General and representative of King Charles, Sam Mostyn has expressed concern over what she describes as a widespread lack of understanding among adults about the foundations of the country's democracy, particularly its Constitution. In an interview with Guardian Australia political editor Tom McIlroy at Admiralty House in Sydney, Mostyn said improving civic education has become one of her key priorities. She argued that strengthening public knowledge of Australia's democratic institutions is essential to tackling what she called a "growing catastrophe" that threatens informed civic participation and the health of the nation's democracy.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

India's education minister has stepped down, and the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is celebrating the development as a significant win. What started as a humorous online campaign has rapidly transformed into one of the country's most closely watched youth-driven movements. By tapping into widespread concerns over unemployment, limited opportunities, and the lack of political representation, the movement has captured national attention. In this discussion, Genevieve Woo speaks with correspondent Neha Poonia about how a campaign centred on the unlikely symbol of a cockroach managed to influence India's political conversation and what it says about a generation determined to make its voice heard despite the odds.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.