SAD

Activists, farmers’ groups and student organisations are preparing to march to the Election Commission’s office in Delhi at 1 pm on October 23, demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha and People Against SIR have also called for nationwide demonstrations.

Speculation over a possible BJP–Shiromani Akali Dal reunion ahead of Punjab’s 2027 Assembly elections has intensified after Amit Shah’s remarks about an NDA government coming to power. Sources in both camps reportedly acknowledge ongoing backchannel discussions, even as Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon says the party is preparing to contest all 117 Assembly seats.

The Congress has alleged more than 16,000 irregularities in voter entries in Uttar Pradesh’s Pilibhit Sadar Assembly constituency during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The state’s Chief Electoral Officer has directed officials to resolve duplicate entries before the draft voter list is published on November 12, 2026.

50 Voters Illegally Shifted, Allegation of Adding Nepalese Nationals to Electoral Rolls Ahead of 2027 Assembly Elections

Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Anindita Mitra received appreciation from Congress, BJP, AAP and Shiromani Akali Dal representatives for addressing their concerns during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. However, Congress and AAP clarified that their praise for the Punjab-level process did not indicate support for the wider SIR exercise.

The Bombay High Court at Goa ordered the release of seven protesters detained at Azad Maidan in Panaji during a demonstration demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. The court observed that the detention may not have been authorised, noting the absence of prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), according to the report.

Cockroach Janta Party leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das reached Delhi’s Parliament Street police station on October 12 to seek a fresh date for a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The move comes amid continuing demonstrations over alleged electoral-roll irregularities linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), heightened security in the capital and a planned opposition march to the Supreme Court led by Rahul Gandhi.

The BJP has launched the three-month statewide ‘Seva Jyoti Yatra’ in Goa, with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, ministers and MLAs taking government schemes to voters across constituencies ahead of the 2027 Assembly election.

Nandigram and Rejinagar will vote on October 6, with results due on October 9, in the first electoral test for the BJP after its rise to power in West Bengal. While Nandigram carries major political symbolism, Rejinagar presents a more fragmented contest and a different challenge for the ruling party.

The Enforcement Directorate’s prolonged searches at Punjab’s GMADA offices have triggered a political confrontation between the AAP government and the BJP-led Centre, with allegations over land deals, reserve prices and the alleged role of Delhi AAP leaders.

AAP has suspended Maur MLA Sukhveer Singh Maiserkhana after he raised concerns about teacher shortages in government schools attended by his children. The party disputes his allegations and cites school records showing 25 of 30 sanctioned teaching posts were filled. The controversy has intensified opposition criticism of the Bhagwant Mann government ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.

Pargat Singh has taken charge as Punjab Congress president ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, with party unity and organisational strengthening as his immediate priorities. Singh has positioned “Brand Punjab” and issues including drugs, law and order, farming, the economy, debt and women's safety at the centre of the Congress's political narrative.