New Delhi:

BJP MP and renowned actress Hema Malini on Tuesday voiced her support for the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill, citing the benefits of synchronised elections. She emphasizes that frequent elections in India, unlike other countries, hinder her work as an MP due to the model code of conduct enforcement.

Ms Malini argues that simultaneous elections would conserve resources, which could then be allocated to vital sectors like education and health. This perspective resonates with concerns about the economic burden of frequent elections.

“In every country, elections are held only once, not like India where we have elections all the time. Due to this, I face a lot of problems as an MP when work stops due to the enforcement of the model code of conduct. If elections are held only once, then the money saved can be used for different purposes like education and health..,” she said.

Earlier today, the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024′ and ‘The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024’ was formally introduced in Lok Sabha after members voted on it.

The bill proposes a ‘One Nation One Election’ or simultaneous elections to both Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The bill will be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed discussions.

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha announced the result of the vote on the introduction of the bill in the House. The vote showed 269 members in favor (Ayes) and 196 against (Noes). This followed Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal’s formal introduction of the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, on ‘One Nation, One Election’ and his agreement to send the bill to a JPC in response to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Manish Tewari opposed the move, arguing, “Beyond the seventh schedule of the Constitution is the basic structure doctrine, which spells out that there are certain features of the Constitution beyond the amending power of the House. The essential features are federalism and the structure of our democracy. Therefore, the bills moved by the Minister of Law and Justice are an absolute assault on the basic structure of the Constitution and are beyond the legislative competence of the House.”

DMK MP TR Baalu opposed the bill, stating, “I oppose the 129th Constitution Amendment Bill, 2024. As my leader M.K. Stalin has said, it is anti-federal. The electors have the right to elect the government for five years, and this right cannot be curtailed with simultaneous elections.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

The government has listed two bills related to “one nation, one election” for introduction in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

Union Law Minister Meghwal will introduce The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill and The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill in the Lower House.

The ruling BJP took a major step towards implementing its key plank of “one nation, one election” on Thursday as the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the constitutional amendment bill to roll out the concept of simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly polls.

Two draft legislations, including one simple bill to amend provisions in laws dealing with three Union territories with legislative assemblies to align them with the Constitution amendment bill, were given the nod by the Cabinet.

The proposed constitutional amendment bill would deal with making provisions for holding Lok Sabha and state legislative assembly elections together.

While a high-level committee led by former president Ram Nath Kovind on simultaneous polls had also proposed holding municipality and panchayat elections along with the national and state elections in a phased manner, the Cabinet has decided to stay away, “as of now”, from the manner in which local body elections are conducted. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

MEA ‘strongly’ deplores Ayatollah Khamenei’s remark on Indian Muslims 

India on Monday “strongly” deplored Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s comment on the condition of the Muslim community in India. In a statement, Ministry of External Affairs described the comment as “unacceptable” . Earlier Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei included India alongside Gaza Strip and Myanmar as one of the places where Muslims are suffering. In a comment sent out in the social media Ayatollah Khamenei referred to India, Gaza, and Myanmar and said the Islamic world should not remain oblivious to the condition of Muslims in these places.

Supreme Court to hear Kolkata doctor rape, murder case on September 17

The Supreme Court is scheduled on September 17 to hear a suo motu case into the brutal rape and murder of a postgraduate doctor at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital even as protests continue unabated in West Bengal.

Mamata meets protesting doctors; Kolkata Police Commissioner, senior health officials to be removed

After a meeting with protesting doctors, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that as demanded by them, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal, the Deputy Commissioner of Kolkata Police, North, and two senior officials of Health Department would be replaced. The meeting started at 6 p.m. and lasted for almost four hours; the doctors emerged from the Chief Minister’s residence just a few minutes before midnight.

Govt, BJP plan events to mark NDA’s 100 days in office

The NDA government and the BJP have planned events across the country including a blood donation camp in the national capital to mark the new dispensation’s 100 days in office on Tuesday (September 17, 2024).

Arvind Kejriwal’s search for a loyal replacement in Delhi is a political gamble 

Two days after he came out of jail on bail in the Delhi excise policy case, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal declared that he would be quitting the top post, having resolutely refused to do so while behind bars.

Meta bans RT and other Russian state media networks

Facebook owner Meta said on Monday (September 17,2024) it was banning RT, Rossiya Segodnya and other Russian state media networks, alleging the outlets used deceptive tactics to carry out influence operations while evading detection on the social media company’s platforms.

India, U.S. discuss Indo-Pacific and Gaza matters in Intersessional Dialogue

Indian and American officials held the U.S.-India 2+2 Intersessional Dialogue on Monday (September 16, 2024) during which they discussed matters related to the Indo-Pacific region, Ukraine and Gaza, the State Department said in Washington.

After prolonged negotiations, BJP concedes chair of four Parliamentary Standing Committees to Congress

After prolonged negotiations, the Bharatiya Janata Party has conceded the chair of Department-related Standing Committees on External Affairs, Agriculture, Rural Development and Education to the Congress. A notification is expected shortly. In 2014, with the Congress tally at just 44 MPs, the party held the chair of parliamentary panels on External Affairs and Finance. External Affairs was then headed by senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor and Finance by Veerappa Moily. Both sides have ceded space.

Tensions simmering in Manipur since March 2023, we kept the troops ready even before May 3: former Assam Rifles D-G 

Former Director-General of the Assam Rifles, Lieutenant-General Pradeep Chandran Nair (retd), said the only sincere attempt for a dialogue between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities in Manipur last year was derailed, when a video of two Kuki-Zo women being stripped and paraded by a mob surfaced on social media on July 19. In an interview with The Hindu, Lt.-General Nair said though the violence erupted around 2.30 p.m. on May 3, 2023, the State government requisitioned the deployment of Assam Rifles only at 8.30 p.m. as “they were still trying to figure out whether they can handle it [violence] on their own”.

Supreme Court to examine suggestions to stop ‘bulldozer justice’

The Supreme Court will examine suggestions from petitioners seeking relief from States bulldozing homes and private properties of undertrials, and frame pan-India guidelines. A Bench headed by Justice B.R. Gavai had made it clear that the law did not permit retributory demolition of the properties of accused, who were still awaiting trial, or their immediate families.

Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls: Multi-tier security arrangements put up for first phase

Multi-tier security arrangements have been put in place to ensure free and fair Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, a senior police official said. Elections in Jammu and Kashmir are being held in three phases. Voting for 24 seats will be held in the first phase on Wednesday (September 18, 2024), followed by polling for 26 seats in the second phase on September 25. The voting for 40 seats in third phase will be held on October 1 while counting of votes will be held on October 8.

Ball in BJP’s court to hold early polls in Delhi, no decision yet on next CM: AAP

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party said it has put the ball in BJP’s court by demanding early elections in Delhi in November, and now it is up to the Opposition party to decide whether it was prepared to face CM Arvind Kejriwal. Mr. Kejriwal will tender his resignation as chief minister on Tuesday and the process to choose his replacement will start after that, Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said, adding that there has been no discussion on who the next chief minister will be.

Adani Group says press release in circulation on its Kenya projects is fake

The Adani Group categorically stated that neither the Group nor any of its companies or subsidiaries have issued any press statements related to its ongoing projects and presence in Kenya. An Adani Group spokesperson asserted that certain “vested interests with malicious intent” are circulating “multiple fraudulent press releases”, including one titled “Adani Group Denounces Baseless Accusations and Threats”, related to the Group’s presence in Kenya.

‘One nation, one election’ not possible under present Constitution: Chidambaram

Congress leader P. Chidambaram lashed out at the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre over the ‘one nation, one election’ issue, saying it is not possible under the present Constitution and requires at least five Constitutional amendments. Replying to a question on reports that the BJP-led NDA government would implement ‘one nation, one election’ within its current tenure, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not have the numbers to place those constitutional amendments either in the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha.

Typhoon Bebinca, the strongest storm to hit Shanghai since 1949, shuts down megacity

Tens of millions of people in Shanghai and across China’s densely populated east coast hunkered indoors as the strongest storm to hit since 1949 swept in, downing trees and disrupting transport across the region. Typhoon Bebinca landed early Monday morning in the city’s eastern coastal area, with wind speeds of up to 151 kilometres per hour (94 miles per hour), state media said. It is the strongest storm to hit Shanghai since Typhoon Gloria in 1949, state broadcaster CCTV said shortly after Bebinca made landfall.

Man suspected in apparent assassination attempt on Trump charged with federal gun crimes

A man suspected in an apparent assassination attempt targeting former President Donald Trump was charged with federal gun crimes, making his first court appearance in the final weeks of a White House race already touched by violence. Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, faces charges of possessing a firearm despite being a convicted felon and possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Additional and more serious charges are possible as the investigation continues and prosecutors seek an indictment from a grand jury.

TikTok heads to court over U.S. law that could lead to a ban on the popular platform

The U.S. government and TikTok will go head-to-head in federal court as oral arguments begin in a consequential legal case that will determine if – or how — a popular social media platform used by nearly half of all Americans will continue to operate in the country. Attorneys for the two sides will appear before a panel of judges at the federal appeals court in Washington. TikTok and its China-based parent company, ByteDance, are challenging a U.S. law that requires them to break ties or face a ban in the U.S. by mid-January. The legal battle is expected to reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

Apple rolls out iOS with more customisation and control features

Apple has started rolling out its iOS 18 globally. Unveiled at WWDC earlier in June this year, the latest operating system has introduced a bunch of new features and tools including more control over the Home Screen and Control Center and a more intelligent Siri. While Apple hasn’t confirmed when the update will be available to install, it is estimated that it could drop at 10 30 PM IST for the eligible older generation models. Meanwhile, the new iPhone 16 series will be preloaded with the iOS 18 and will be available from September 20.

Emmys 2024: ‘Shogun’ makes history as first non-English language series to win Drama Series with a record-breaking 18 total wins

Shogun made history at the 2024 Emmys by becoming the first majority non-English language series to win Best Drama Series. The historical epic set in feudal Japan took home a total of 18 Emmys, the most ever for a single season of television. Anna Sawai, who won the award for Lead Actress in a Drama Series, made history as the first Asian winner in the category.

A police officer directs traffic near Trump International Golf Club after the apparent assassination attempt of Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump in West Palm Beach, Florida on September 15, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP

Donald Trump safe after Secret Service opens fire at suspected person with firearm near his golf club

Donald Trump was the target of “what appears to be an attempted assassination” at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, the FBI said, just nine weeks after the Republican presidential nominee survived another attempt on his life. The former president said he was safe and well, and authorities held a man in custody. U.S. Secret Service agents posted a few holes up from where Trump was playing noticed the muzzle of an AK-style rifle sticking through the shrubbery that lines the course, roughly 400 yards away.

‘One Nation, One Election’ to be implemented in this government’s tenure

The concept of simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, referred to as “One Nation, One Election” will be implemented within the current term of the Narendra Modi government, sources said, hoping for support from political parties across the board, especially partners in the National Democratic Alliance. The census exercise, not undertaken since 2011, will also begin soon, senior government sources said.

Long range rockets found with Manipur groups; MHA-constituted committee conducts inquiry

The latest additions to the arsenal of warring Kuki-Zo and Meitei groups in Manipur, which are crude, unguided rockets with potential ranges of up to 5-6 km, has created a flutter in the security establishment. The Ministry of Home Affairs has constituted a multi-stakeholder expert committee to investigate the incident which has wider ramifications, according to sources in the security establishment. The rockets are in addition to the hexacopter drones which both sides have now acquired to drop bombs and rocket propelled grenades (RPG), in a significant escalation of the crisis which began in May 2023.

I&B Ministry bets big on Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning -powered dashboard to analyse news stories

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry is planning to introduce an Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)-powered integrated dashboard with the capability to analyse recent news stories for forecasting emerging trends. The tool is expected to enhance the Ministry’s ability to swiftly respond to such trends. An AI&ML-based platform for multilingual translation and voice localisation will also be developed to facilitate efficient public dissemination of information about government initiatives.

Kolkata rape and murder case: Braving heavy rain in Kolkata, protestors continue agitation for justice

Protests continued in Kolkata for the 36th day, demanding justice for the woman doctor who was raped and killed at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital last month. Even amidst pouring rain, protesting resident doctors, senior doctors, and common people from all walks of life took to the streets to continue their agitation . The West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front carried out a maha micchil (massive protest rally) from Salt Lake Central Park to the headquarters of the State Health Department at Swasthya Bhawan and reiterated their five main demands.

Bomb blast at Manipur Minister’s house, Internet ban extended

A bomb exploded at the house of Manipur’s Transport Minister Khashim Vashum in Ukhrul town, about 80 km northeast of the State’s capital Imphal. The Minister was away in Imphal when the incident happened in the Naga-dominated headquarters of the Ukhrul district. The Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley, meanwhile, remained tense but incident-free. The Manipur government extended the suspension of Internet and mobile data services, including Very Small Aperture Terminal and virtual private network services, in these three districts and the two others – Bishnupur and Kakching – till September 20.

India sends assistance to flood-hit Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam

India launched Operation Sadbhav to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam that have been hit by severe flooding caused by Typhoon Yagi. India has committed $1mn worth of flood relief assistance to Vietnam and $1,00,000 worth of assistance to Laos, the Ministry of External Affairs announced. Following this, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force have swung into action deploying ships and aircraft to ferry the assistance.

Maharashtra assembly election likely in second week of November: Eknath Shinde

Dropping hints about the upcoming Assembly elections, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde told press persons at his residence ‘Varsha’ that it would likely be held in the second week of November and preferably in two phases. “Elections are likely to be held in the second week of November. A two-phase election would be preferable. Merit and a good strike rate will be the criteria for seat-sharing among the Mahayuti allies. The seat-sharing will be finalised in the coming 8 to 10 days,” he said.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar targets Rahul Gandhi over quota remark, says it shows ‘anti-constitutional mindset’

In a veiled attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on “ending reservations”, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said that such comments by a person holding a constitutional post show an “anti-constitutional mindset”. “A person from a constitutional post saying on a foreign land that reservation should be ended underscores the same anti-constitutional mindset. The baton of prejudices against reservation has been handed over. It is the same old anti-constitutional mindset,” he said without taking the name of Gandhi, leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha.

Engineer Rashid’s AIP and former Jamaat members join hands for J&K Assembly polls

In a significant political development, the Awami Ittehad Party headed by Lok Sabha member Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer and former members of Jamaat-e-Islami have come together in a strategic alliance for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls. “A joint meeting was held today in which the AIP delegation was led by AIP Supremo and chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi, while the JEI delegation was led by Ghulam Qadir Wani.

Terrorists exchange fire with security forces in J&K’s Poonch

An encounter broke out in a remote village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district when security forces launched a cordon and search operation following information about the presence of terrorists, an official said. Acting on a tip off, a joint search operation was launched by the police and Army in the Pathanateer area near Gursai top in Mendhar sub-division on Saturday evening, the security official said.

Study shows Chennai’s air pollution far exceeds WHO standards

As cities continue to grow, the complexity of managing air quality has increased, prompting the question if existing strategies and standards are enough to cope with the worsening air pollution crisis. A recent Greenpeace study analysing air pollution trends in 2023 across 10 cities in South Indian States reveals that Chennai’s monthly average PM_2.5 (fine particulate matter) levels are four to seven times higher, and PM₁₀ (coarse particulate matter) levels are three to six times higher, compared to WHO annual guidelines.

Iran two years after Mahsa Amini: persecution and defiance

Persecution of bereaved relatives. Impunity for perpetrators. Rampant executions and infighting among the opposition. A bleak picture confronts opponents of Iran’s clerical authorities two years after a protest movement erupted that they hoped would be a turning point in the four-and-a-half-decade history of the Islamic republic. Activists and exiles still hope that the protests sparked by the September 16, 2022 death in custody of Mahsa Amini — an Iranian Kurd arrested for allegedly violating the dress code for women — left an indelible mark on Iran and that her tragic death aged 22 was not in vain.

A police officer directs traffic near Trump International Golf Club after the apparent assassination attempt of Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump in West Palm Beach, Florida on September 15, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP

Donald Trump safe after Secret Service opens fire at suspected person with firearm near his golf club

Donald Trump was the target of “what appears to be an attempted assassination” at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, the FBI said, just nine weeks after the Republican presidential nominee survived another attempt on his life. The former president said he was safe and well, and authorities held a man in custody. U.S. Secret Service agents posted a few holes up from where Trump was playing noticed the muzzle of an AK-style rifle sticking through the shrubbery that lines the course, roughly 400 yards away.

‘One Nation, One Election’ to be implemented in this government’s tenure

The concept of simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, referred to as “One Nation, One Election” will be implemented within the current term of the Narendra Modi government, sources said, hoping for support from political parties across the board, especially partners in the National Democratic Alliance. The census exercise, not undertaken since 2011, will also begin soon, senior government sources said.

Long range rockets found with Manipur groups; MHA-constituted committee conducts inquiry

The latest additions to the arsenal of warring Kuki-Zo and Meitei groups in Manipur, which are crude, unguided rockets with potential ranges of up to 5-6 km, has created a flutter in the security establishment. The Ministry of Home Affairs has constituted a multi-stakeholder expert committee to investigate the incident which has wider ramifications, according to sources in the security establishment. The rockets are in addition to the hexacopter drones which both sides have now acquired to drop bombs and rocket propelled grenades (RPG), in a significant escalation of the crisis which began in May 2023.

I&B Ministry bets big on Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning -powered dashboard to analyse news stories

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry is planning to introduce an Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)-powered integrated dashboard with the capability to analyse recent news stories for forecasting emerging trends. The tool is expected to enhance the Ministry’s ability to swiftly respond to such trends. An AI&ML-based platform for multilingual translation and voice localisation will also be developed to facilitate efficient public dissemination of information about government initiatives.

Kolkata rape and murder case: Braving heavy rain in Kolkata, protestors continue agitation for justice

Protests continued in Kolkata for the 36th day, demanding justice for the woman doctor who was raped and killed at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital last month. Even amidst pouring rain, protesting resident doctors, senior doctors, and common people from all walks of life took to the streets to continue their agitation . The West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front carried out a maha micchil (massive protest rally) from Salt Lake Central Park to the headquarters of the State Health Department at Swasthya Bhawan and reiterated their five main demands.

Bomb blast at Manipur Minister’s house, Internet ban extended

A bomb exploded at the house of Manipur’s Transport Minister Khashim Vashum in Ukhrul town, about 80 km northeast of the State’s capital Imphal. The Minister was away in Imphal when the incident happened in the Naga-dominated headquarters of the Ukhrul district. The Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley, meanwhile, remained tense but incident-free. The Manipur government extended the suspension of Internet and mobile data services, including Very Small Aperture Terminal and virtual private network services, in these three districts and the two others – Bishnupur and Kakching – till September 20.

India sends assistance to flood-hit Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam

India launched Operation Sadbhav to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam that have been hit by severe flooding caused by Typhoon Yagi. India has committed $1mn worth of flood relief assistance to Vietnam and $1,00,000 worth of assistance to Laos, the Ministry of External Affairs announced. Following this, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force have swung into action deploying ships and aircraft to ferry the assistance.

Maharashtra assembly election likely in second week of November: Eknath Shinde

Dropping hints about the upcoming Assembly elections, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde told press persons at his residence ‘Varsha’ that it would likely be held in the second week of November and preferably in two phases. “Elections are likely to be held in the second week of November. A two-phase election would be preferable. Merit and a good strike rate will be the criteria for seat-sharing among the Mahayuti allies. The seat-sharing will be finalised in the coming 8 to 10 days,” he said.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar targets Rahul Gandhi over quota remark, says it shows ‘anti-constitutional mindset’

In a veiled attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on “ending reservations”, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said that such comments by a person holding a constitutional post show an “anti-constitutional mindset”. “A person from a constitutional post saying on a foreign land that reservation should be ended underscores the same anti-constitutional mindset. The baton of prejudices against reservation has been handed over. It is the same old anti-constitutional mindset,” he said without taking the name of Gandhi, leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha.

Engineer Rashid’s AIP and former Jamaat members join hands for J&K Assembly polls

In a significant political development, the Awami Ittehad Party headed by Lok Sabha member Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer and former members of Jamaat-e-Islami have come together in a strategic alliance for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls. “A joint meeting was held today in which the AIP delegation was led by AIP Supremo and chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi, while the JEI delegation was led by Ghulam Qadir Wani.

Terrorists exchange fire with security forces in J&K’s Poonch

An encounter broke out in a remote village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district when security forces launched a cordon and search operation following information about the presence of terrorists, an official said. Acting on a tip off, a joint search operation was launched by the police and Army in the Pathanateer area near Gursai top in Mendhar sub-division on Saturday evening, the security official said.

Study shows Chennai’s air pollution far exceeds WHO standards

As cities continue to grow, the complexity of managing air quality has increased, prompting the question if existing strategies and standards are enough to cope with the worsening air pollution crisis. A recent Greenpeace study analysing air pollution trends in 2023 across 10 cities in South Indian States reveals that Chennai’s monthly average PM_2.5 (fine particulate matter) levels are four to seven times higher, and PM₁₀ (coarse particulate matter) levels are three to six times higher, compared to WHO annual guidelines.

Iran two years after Mahsa Amini: persecution and defiance

Persecution of bereaved relatives. Impunity for perpetrators. Rampant executions and infighting among the opposition. A bleak picture confronts opponents of Iran’s clerical authorities two years after a protest movement erupted that they hoped would be a turning point in the four-and-a-half-decade history of the Islamic republic. Activists and exiles still hope that the protests sparked by the September 16, 2022 death in custody of Mahsa Amini — an Iranian Kurd arrested for allegedly violating the dress code for women — left an indelible mark on Iran and that her tragic death aged 22 was not in vain.

Hyderabad:

The Congress on Saturday rejected the ‘One Nation, One Election’ idea, calling it an assault on the Constitution and federalism.

Addressing a briefing on the deliberations of the first meeting of the reconstituted Congress Working Committee (CWC) here, party leader P Chidambaram said the BJP does not have the numbers to pass the required constitutional amendments for holding simultaneous polls.

“One Nation, One Election is an assault on the Constitution… it is an attack on federalism,” he said when asked about the issue.

It will require at least five constitutional amendments and the BJP knows that it does not have the numbers to pass these, the senior Congress leader said.

“Yet, if it (BJP) puts forward this mirage of ‘One Nation, One Election’ it is only to divert attention from the pressing issues and to create a false narrative. We reject this ‘One Nation, One Election’ idea,” P Chidambaram said.

His remarks come days after the government set up an eight-member high-level committee to examine and make recommendations at the earliest on the issue of holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, municipalities and panchayats.

The committee will be headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind and will have Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, former leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad and former finance commission chairman N K Singh as members.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had later declined to be part of the panel.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Sanatana Dharma | Udhayanidhi Stalin’s remarks require proper response, PM Modi tells Ministers at informal meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday reportedly told his Ministerial colleagues that DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s remarks on Sanatana Dharmarequired a “proper response” based on “facts of the issue” within the contemporary situation and emphasised that the Constitution does not allow for abuse of any religion. On the issue of Bharat being substituted for India in government communication in English as well, Mr. Modi reportedly said that only those authorised to speak on behalf of the government should comment on the issue.

Ready to hold polls as per legal provisions, CEC on ‘one nation, one election’

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar on September 6 said the Election Commission of India was “ready to conduct elections as per legal provisions”. He was responding to a query whether the ECI was ready to conduct the much-discussed ‘One Nation, One Election’. The CEC was addressing a press conference in Bhopal on the preparations for the Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh due later this year. On the specific questions asked in the context of ‘One nation, One election’, Mr. Kumar said the poll commission was mandated to “deliver elections before the time” as per constitutional provisions and the RP Act (Representation of the People Act, 1951.)

‘India-Bharat’ issue being raised to mislead people: Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on September 6 said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was raising irrelevant issues like changing the country’s name to Bharat because it was unnerved by the formation of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) coalition. “The India-Bharat issue reflects the BJP’s panic. The party is desperately trying to mislead the people,” Mr. Kharge said.

Blocking blacklisting of terrorists smacks of doublespeak: India

India has told the UN Security Council that blocking evidence-based proposals to blacklist globally sanctioned terrorists without providing justifications is uncalled for and “smacks of doublespeak”. “The working methods of the UNSC Sanctions Committees continue to dent the credibility of the UN Security Council,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj said here on Tuesday.

40 injured in protest over Army barricade in Manipur

More than 40 people were injured in a stampede at Manipur’s Bishnupur district on Wednesday as security forces fired tear gas shells to disperse over 10,000 people who had converged to demand the removal of an Army barricade. A defence source said the stand-off continued through the day. Armed miscreants fired at the Central security forces and a mob threw stones at them. Three personnel of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), a specialised anti-riot force, were injured in the incident. 

Won’t let INDIA bloc seat-sharing talks become media spectacle: SP leader 

The Samajwadi Party (SP) won’t allow seat-sharing negotiations in Uttar Pradesh to become a media spectacle, said party leader Javed Ali Khan, who is part of the INDIA bloc’s 14-member coordination committee. In an interview to The Hindu, he also junked suggestions that the Congress and the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) are pretending to be cosying up to the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) as a tactic to get more seats for themselves in the State.

Shah, Meghwal meet Kovind days after he was appointed head of ‘one nation, one election’ panel

Home Minister Amit Shah and Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on September 6 met former president Ram Nath Kovind who heads the committee on simultaneous polls in New Delhi, days after the government notified the panel, sources said. They described the nearly hour-long meeting as a “courtesy call”. Efforts are on to hold the first meeting of the high-level committee in the coming days and a venue is being finalised.

Punjab AAP Minister says there is no alliance with Congress 

The cracks between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), partners in the newly formed Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) were on display on September 6 after a Cabinet Minister in Punjab, where the AAP is in power, ruled out any alliance with the Congress. Punjab Tourism Minister Anmol Gagan Maan at a press conference in Chandigarh said there would be no alliance of the AAP with the Congress party in Punjab.

China warns against ‘new Cold War’ at ASEAN summit

Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on September 6 it is important to avoid a “new Cold War” when dealing with conflicts between countries as world leaders gathered in Indonesia amid sharpening geopolitical rivalries across the Indo-Pacific region. Speaking at an annual summit involving members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, Japan and South Korea, Mr. Li said countries needed to “appropriately handle differences and disputes”.

Not the joint statement but Ukraine will be EU’s priority at G-20 summit: EU official

Ukraine will be the topmost item on the agenda of the European Union at the G-20 Summit, a senior EU official said on Wednesday. Clarifying the Western expectation about the upcoming summit that will be held here during the weekend, the official expressed confidence about forming consensus about the Global South and placed it on record that the EU “wished” to have the participation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the G-20 summit in New Delhi. He also indicated that Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission is unlikely to travel to Delhi for the summit and said India’s text for negotiating an outcome document is “not sufficient”. 

Ahead of Joe Biden visit, India drops tariff hikes on U.S. almonds, lentils

Two days before U.S. President Joe Biden arrives in New Delhi for a bilateral meeting as well as the G-20 Summit, India has dropped the retaliatory customs tariffs it had imposed on imports of some American goods like almonds and lentils, effective September 6, 2023. India had raised import duties on 28 American products in June 2019, after the United States had hiked its customs duties on certain steel and aluminium products. In a notification issued on September 5, the Finance Ministry dropped some of these tariff hikes “on being satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest so to do”.

Sri Lanka will investigate allegations of intelligence complicity in 2019 Easter bombings

Sri Lanka’s government will appoint a parliamentary committee to investigate allegations made in a British television report that Sri Lankan intelligence had complicity in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings that killed 269 people. A man interviewed in the Channel 4 videos released on Tuesday said he arranged a meeting between a local Islamic State-inspired group and a top state intelligence official to hatch a plot to create insecurity in Sri Lanka and enable Gotabaya Rajapaksa to win the presidential election later that year.

Ukraine’s Parliament approves ex-lawmaker Rustem Umerov as Defence Minister

Ukraine’s parliament approved the appointment of former lawmaker Rustem Umerov as Defence Minister on September 6, in the biggest shake-up of the defence establishment since Russia’s invasion 18 months ago. Mr. Umerov (41) replaces Oleksii Reznikov, who helped secure billions of dollars of Western military aid as Defence Minister but was dogged by media allegations of corruption at the Ministry and sacked by President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday.

This summer was a global record breaker for the highest heat ever measured, meteorologists say

Earth has sweltered through its hottest Northern Hemisphere summer ever measured, with a record warm August capping a season of brutal and deadly temperatures, according to the World Meteorological Organization. Last month was not only the hottest August scientists ever recorded by far with modern equipment, it was also the second hottest month measured, behind only July 2023, WMO and the European climate service Copernicus announced Wednesday.

Asia Cup | Pakistan pace trio too hot to handle as Bangladesh bowled out for 193

Haris Rauf proved to be too quick for the Bangladeshi batters, who were also troubled relentlessly by Naseem Shah as the Shakib Al Hasan-led side was bundled out for a paltry 193, well inside 40 overs in an Asia Cup Super 4 match against Pakistan in Lahore on September 6. Despite a 100-run stand and twin half-centuries by skipper Shakib (53 off 57 balls) and former captain Mushfiqur Rahim (64 off 87 balls), Bangladesh suffered twin batting collapse on either side of the fifth wicket partnership.

Ballon d’Or | Messi, Haaland, Mbappe in shortlist; Ronaldo left out for first time in 20 years

Argentina forward Lionel Messi was among the nominees for the men’s Ballon d’Or trophy announced by organisers France Football magazine on Wednesday. Seven-times winner Messi, who plays for Inter Miami, led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in December, their first triumph since 1986. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won the award five times, did not receive a nomination for the first time in 20 years.