The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress on Monday (September 7) protested against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government over the building collapse in Satya Niketan that killed seven people. 

AAP staged a protest in Satya Niketan, demanding that the BJP government release a list of people who own paying guest (PG) accommodation in the area. 

AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj questioned who was operating the “PG mafia”, why action was not being taken against illegal PGs and whether influential BJP leaders had financial interests in them. He asked how Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) engineers or police personnel could act against illegal PGs if powerful political figures were running them. 

Mr. Bharadwaj alleged that people on social media had, since Sunday, been claiming that several senior BJP leaders owned properties in the area. “The exploitation of students through expensive PG accommodations, and the MCD’s failure to act against it, is linked to the fact that influential leaders have invested heavily in properties there,” he said. 

He said suspending a single Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner would not solve the problem. “The names of influential BJP leaders whose money is invested here, resulting in the exploitation of students, must be made public,” he said. 

Mr. Bharadwaj also said the Central government must build hostels for students in the area. “Until hostels are constructed and allotted to students, the government should pay students’ PG fees. Only then will the government have an incentive to build hostels quickly, otherwise, it will not,” he said. 

‘Justice for victims’

Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav staged a sit-in at the site of the collapse, demanding justice for the injured and the families of those killed. 

Mr. Yadav alleged that corruption in the BJP-led system was responsible for the collapse. He questioned who had permitted repairs to be carried out in the basement of the 50-year-old, five-storey building without safety arrangements after the basement was flooded, and alleged administrative irresponsibility and corruption. 

“The Congress’s protest against the Rekha Gupta government will continue till strict action is taken against the culprits and justice is done to the injured and the families of the deceased students. Municipal Commissioner should resign taking responsibility for the collapse as repeat of such mishaps happen due to corruption in the MCD, from top to bottom,” Mr. Yadav said. 

Govt. responds

Responding to the Opposition’s allegations, Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood said, “We are concerned about the safety of the children and about fixing the rotten system that the ‘A-team’ and ‘B-team’ have built up within this administration over the last 27 years. The focus must be on what action needs to be taken.”

A Congress MLA writing to Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar on corruption in Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) office in Dakshina Kannada has exposed the high level of corruption in the State government led by the Congress, MLA for Mangaluru City North Y. Bharat Shetty said on Tuesday.

In his August 25 letter to Mr. Shivakumar, Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai had alleged that two engineers, including an Executive Engineer and a Junior Engineer, of KRIDL office in Mangaluru have demanded “7% more money” as “KRIDL charge” from contractors. The letter also talked about engineers collecting money, claiming that they have to make monthly payments to the district in-charge minister and minister in-charge of KRIDL.

Addressing presspersons Dr. Shetty said that the KPSC scam, excise department scam had also exposed the government. “In none of the scams involving corruption the government is conducting serious investigation and taking the probe to the logical end,” the MLA said.

“What is the outcome?” he asked.

“Corruption is another guarantee of the Congress led government,” Dr. Shetty alleged.

The MLA claimed that earlier Upa Lokayukta B. Veerappa went on record that 63% of people in Karnataka had to pay bribe to get their works done in government offices. “Payment quota Ministers and officials have begun looting people,” he alleged.

Dr. Shetty said that earlier Congress charged the BJP government with “40 % commission”. But it could not substantiate and prove it. The MLA demanded that in each of the cases involving corruption the government should hold a judicial inquiry.

MLC Kishore Kumar Puttur was present.

BJP leader Vanathi Srinivasan on Friday condemned an incident in which a ‘petrol bomb’ was hurled at a memorial of late freedom fighter Muthuramalinga Thevar in Tirunelveli district. Expressing shock over the incident reported in Thachanallur, she condemned the alleged attempts by “anti-national elements” to create enmity between various sections of the society. Ms. Srinivasan further urged the police to initiate severe action against those responsible for the incident and to ensure peace in the area.

The Telangana BJP will take the Congress government’s alleged failures and anti-people policies to the public during the upcoming Graduate MLC and Municipal Corporation elections, party official spokesperson N.V. Subash said on Wednesday.

Asserting that Telangana would receive effective governance only under the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party, he accused the Congress government of ‘severely deceiving’ the people, who he said had already suffered during the BRS’s 10-year rule.

Addressing a press conference at the party’s State office here, Mr. Subash alleged that even after 30 months in power, the Revanth Reddy government had failed to fulfil its election promises. He claimed that unemployed youth and students had been particularly affected due to the non-release of ₹14,000 crore in fee reimbursement dues, the absence of a job calendar and colleges allegedly withholding certificates, causing hardship to nearly 22 lakh students and their parents.

“It is extremely unfortunate that a government that ought to safeguard the future of students described them as ‘criminal waste’,” he said. Mr. Subash further alleged that the government remained unmoved despite High Court orders directing it to release fee reimbursement funds.

Alleging that the government had failed to focus on the development of the State and Hyderabad, he claimed that the Chief Minister had turned Telangana into a ‘futureless city’. Questioning Mr. Revanth Reddy’s frequent foreign visits, he challenged the government to release a White Paper detailing the investments brought into the State.

Bharatiya Janata Party Punjab president Kewal Singh Dhillon on Thursday (July 30, 2026) blamed the Aam Aadmi Party government for the State’s, what he termed as “worsening drug crisis”, declaring that the AAP government’s widely-publicised ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ (War Against Drugs) campaign has failed entirely.

Mr. Dhillon said the AAP had during the 2022 poll campaign promised the people of Punjab that it would eradicate the drug menace within three months, after the party assumed power. “But today the situation has worsened instead of improving. Punjab’s youth are losing their lives every single day. When drug-affected families and ordinary citizens raise their voices against drug traffickers, they are openly threatened, which clearly indicates that the traffickers enjoy administrative and political patronage,” he alleged.

The BJP leader further said that public faith in the system has eroded to such an extent that families devastated by the drug menace are being forced to put up posters to sell their homes and stage protests.

“The increasing number of drug-related deaths and the growing public anger are clear evidence of the complete failure of the AAP government’s governance on this issue. The AAP government’s so-called promise of ‘change’ has come at a high cost for the people of Punjab and has pushed the state back by several years. The drug menace can be eradicated only through strong leadership and a robust policy framework, not through publicity campaigns and advertisements,” he said, urging people of Punjab to elect a BJP government in the State in the upcoming assembly election, due in early 2027.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Wednesday defended the Centre’s handling of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest, with MP Bansuri Swaraj saying the government had acted with “sensitivity” and remained open to dialogue. Her party colleague and Delhi Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh said Monday’s march to Parliament was “not peaceful” and its organisers must be held accountable for “outright lawlessness”.

‘Students are a priority’

Addressing a press conference, Ms. Swaraj said the government’s priority is to protect the students and ensure that their future remains uncompromised. “A safe future for children is the top priority of the [Narendra] Modi government,” she said.

Referring to the alleged NEET paper leak, Ms. Swaraj said the government acted swiftly after receiving information that the examination may have been compromised.

She said the Centre had consistently sought a dialogue with the CJP and that Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda had invited representatives of the agitation for talks.

On allegations of police excesses, Ms. Swaraj said around 118 police personnel were also injured during the protest march and urged those with evidence of misconduct to cooperate with the investigation.

“Policemen are also sons and daughters of this country, and they too deserve sympathy,” she said.

Mr. Singh shared a video on X purportedly showing a mob chasing and assaulting a Rapid Action Force (RAF) man.

“A protester kicks an RAF man to the ground, after which the mob surrounds and assaults him. This is not a peaceful protest. It is outright lawlessness. Those who organised and backed these protests must be held accountable for putting the lives of citizens and security personnel at risk,” the Minister said.

Dismissing the BJP leader’s claims, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) instead demanded action against Delhi Police over “use of excessive force against protesters” during the march. The party claimed that DCP-rank officers were caught on camera assaulting women during the protest.

Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj said several videos have surfaced showing senior police officers assaulting and misbehaving with women protesters. “However, no FIR has been registered and no officer has been suspended,” he added.

‘Must resign’

Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav, meanwhile, led a demonstration to the BJP headquarters, demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the alleged paper leaks.

Congress workers marched towards the BJP office and condemned the detention of Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi during a demonstration outside the Prime Minister’s residence on Tuesday evening.

“Each Congress worker is standing with Rahul Gandhi in his fight to protect the future of students,” Mr. Yadav said.

“BJP, RSS and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) have hijacked Lord Ram for political gain,” said V. S. Ugrappa, former MP and Congress leader.

“They have no real devotion to Lord Ram. That is why none of the leaders are talking about the alleged misuse of funds in Ayodhya Ram temple. By their political opportunism, they have insulted Hinduism,” he said in Karwar on July 12.

He told reporters in Belagavi that none of the 11 members of the temple trust, including a retired government officer, were able to prevent the alleged theft. The trust received donations of thousands of crores of rupees from people, and various government agencies and public sector undertakings. “But some members of the trust and its head are involved in this alleged loot. I want to ask why the RSS, BJP and Vishwa Hindu Parishad have remained silent on this issue. Even the PM, who inaugurated the temple, has remained silent. I demand that Mr. Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah take moral responsibility and resign.

“The Uttar Pradesh police have arrested only low-level staff, like those involved in counting. They have not touched the big leaders behind the accused. The head and other members of the trust have resigned. The leaders of the BJP, RSS and VHP should apologise to the people of the country.”

Other issues highlighted

He complained that some ineligible people were getting reservation benefits by producing fake ST caste certificates. “This is causing injustice to the ST community. Members of Parliament and other leaders are silent about this,” he said.

He said allegations of the BJP against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Karnataka were false and baseless. There is nothing wrong in the government of Karnataka giving permanent residency certificates to those who have no other document, he said.

Prakash Desai, Narasimha Valmiki, Nagaraj Talwar, Suresh Kalloli, and Jagadish Olekar were among those present at the event.

TPCC president and MLC B. Mahesh Kumar Goud on Wednesday termed the visit of BJP national president N. Nitin Nabin to Telangana a “complete flop” and asserting that the party has no political future in the State.

Addressing a press conference at Gandhi Bhavan, he said Telangana was achieved due to the leadership of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and the sacrifices of thousands of people during the Statehood movement. Mr. Goud alleged that the BJP was attempting to create communal tensions in the State, adding that such efforts would not succeed as Telangana had a long-standing tradition of religious harmony. He said people were looking for a “BJP-free India”.

Referring to the Centre, he accused the BJP, which is in power at the Centre, of failing to fulfil promises, including the creation of jobs. He also questioned the BJP leadership on several issues, including alleged irregularities Kaleshwaram and other projects during BRS governance.

Taking a dig at the BJP leadership, Mr. Goud said the party had failed to mobilise adequate support during organisational programmes and questioned its political relevance in Telangana. He also alleged that the BJP had not addressed key issues related to pending projects and development concerns in the State.

The Union government has set a target of $21 billion worth textile and apparel exports from Tamil Nadu by 2030, said T.N. Venkatesh, Principal Secretary, Department of Handlooms, Textiles, Khadi, and Handicrafts, Tamil Nadu, in Tiruppur on Sunday (June 28, 2026).

India is expected to achieve $100 billion export of textiles and apparel by 2030 and Tamil Nadu’s contribution will be one-fifth, and Tiruppur cluster alone would contribute nearly $11.5 billion. “This will be easy to achieve with the investments in research and development and free trade agreements,” he said.

One of the main demands of the Tiruppur garment industry was hostels for the women workers. The Tamil Nadu government has allocated ₹1,250 crore to construct “Thozhi hostels” in industrial clusters, and hostels for women workers in Tiruppur will be constructed under this scheme. A Centre of Excellence for athleisure (athletic wear) will also be set up in Tiruppur, Mr. Venkatesh said.

Union Textile Minister Giriraj Singh told the garment exporters at the meeting organised by the Tiruppur Exporters Association that annual exports of textiles and apparel hit the $44 billion mark only once since 1998. It is now at $38 billion and the target is $100 billion by 2030.

India has a free trade agreement with Japan. But, its exports to Japan are not much. Garment exporters need to diversify at least 20% of their exports to new markets, he said.

BJP national president Nitin Nabin has summoned the party’s State unit president B.Y. Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashok, and in-charge of party affairs in the State Radha Mohan Das Agarwal to Delhi on June 23 over cross-voting in the just-concluded Legislative Council elections in Karnataka.

The party high command has expressed its unhappiness with the development, and this may lead to a revamp of the State leadership, multiple sources in the party said.

The State unit on Friday formed a fact-finding committee under the leadership of C.T. Ravi, MLC, to identify cross-voters, since these polls are a secret ballot. N. Mahesh and Mahesh Tenginakayi are members of the committee. Sources in the party said the high command will also take independent reports from other leaders.

In a significant departure to the party’s stand on Thursday, Mr. Vijayendra on Friday pegged the number of cross-voters from the party at “four to five”. Mr. Ashok had said it was three on Thursday. This implies that some of the BJP MLAs allocated to the JD(S) candidate also cross-voted. 

Meanwhile, Chandru Lamani, Shirahatti BJP MLA, one of those allocated to vote for the JD(S) candidate, claimed that he and Krishna Nayaka, another MLA, had “honestly” voted for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate. “A section of the media unfairly speculated that we may have cross-voted. This has embarrassed us in our constituencies,” he said.

‘Creating division’

Mr. Vijayendra said the Congress was trying to speculate on the names of cross-voters from the BJP to create divisions within the party. “There is no question of sparing those who betrayed the party and cross-voted. They cannot hide forever. The fact-finding committee will uncover them and subsequent to that, the party will take stringent action,” he said.

BJP candidate Lingaraj Patil, who was allocated 30 MLA votes, got only 27, clearly indicating three cross-voters from the party. However, BJP had allocated four votes, including of Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, expelled MLA, who had announced support to the BJP. But, he was allocated the JD(S) candidate. But the candidate polled only 14 votes, as against 18 JD(S) MLAs. While JD(S) concedes that four of their MLAs cross-voted and they did not get BJP votes, the BJP on Thursday maintained that their votes were indeed transferred, implying eight from the JD(S) cross-voted. However, Mr. Vijayendra has now pegged it at “four to five”. 

BJP ‘factionalism’

Meanwhile, the BJP is more worried about the three MLAs — of the 30 allocated for party candidate Lingaraj Patil — who cross-voted. Mr. Patil did not get the adequate 28 votes and won only in the elimination round.

Sources said that while R. Raghu (Kautilya) was the candidate from one faction, Mr. Patil from Hubballi was from the opposite faction. The BJP fielded V. Nagaraj, also from Hubballi, in the Rajya Sabha elections, to fill a seat vacated by Iranna B. Kadadi from Belagavi. This prompted party leaders from the district to seek a MLC seat for the district.

However, the MLC seat also went to Hubballi. The dominance of this faction in both Rajya Sabha and MLC election candidate selection did not go down well with many, which could have played out in the elections, sources said.