Government

Maharashtra's decision to declare 265 talukas drought-affected has triggered questions from both ruling alliance leaders and the Opposition. While some areas represented by Mahayuti leaders have been excluded, the MVA has questioned the transparency of the assessment process.

Discussions between Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) have intensified, with reports suggesting alliance talks and possible Cabinet representation. However, no official announcement has been made by either party.

The Cabinet's decision addresses a specific humanitarian problem faced by families of people who remain untraced since the 2023 violence. The ₹10 lakh assistance provides financial support while search efforts and the individual cases of the missing persons remain unresolved.

Pargat Singh's appointment represents a significant organisational transition for the Punjab Congress ahead of the 2027 Assembly election. The immediate focus will be on coordination among the party's existing leadership and how the new PPCC president organises the state unit for the election.

The latest scholarship disbursement highlights the state's continued use of DBT and automated systems for education-related financial assistance. The key focus is ensuring that eligible students receive scholarship and fee-reimbursement funds directly and with fewer administrative delays.

Pargat Singh's appointment marks a significant organisational transition for the Punjab Congress ahead of the 2027 Assembly election. His experience as an MLA, former minister and former international hockey captain will now be combined with the responsibility of strengthening the party's state organisation and coordinating its election preparations.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has defended the Election Commission amid Opposition criticism of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and called on Congress and other Opposition parties to stop questioning constitutional institutions.

BJP-SAD alliance discussions were reported in August 2026, including a proposed 70-47 seat formula, but Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon and BJP in-charge Satish Poonia subsequently said the BJP would contest all 117 Assembly seats on its own. No final alliance or seat-sharing agreement has been announced.

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha's name was marked “shifted” in Punjab's draft electoral roll during the SIR exercise, prompting allegations of political vendetta and a response from the AAP. Later, the Delhi CEO's office confirmed that Chadha's Form 6 application for Rajinder Nagar was approved after the prescribed procedure.

Manipur's government has deferred expansion of its Council of Ministers amid continuing violence and security concerns, with further appointments reportedly likely to be considered after the October Durga Puja period.

Punjab Election 2027 preparations have entered an active phase, with the BJP making the drug menace the central theme of its statewide campaign through a 4,000-km Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra. AAP is responding by highlighting its governance record and grassroots outreach, while SAD is also using the drug issue in its Punjab Bachao and women-focused campaigns.

Former BSP minister Izhar-ul-Haq, former BSP candidate Naeem Ahmed and other political and grassroots leaders joined the Congress in Lucknow ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Election 2027.