Wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who joined the Congress party on Friday, will contest the Haryana Assembly elections from the Julana seat, sources confirmed. Phogat, known for her achievements in wrestling, announced she is starting a new chapter in politics and hopes to improve the conditions for sportspersons. She criticized the BJP for its treatment of wrestlers during protests against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Bajrang Punia, who joined the Congress alongside Phogat, will not run in the elections. Phogat retired from wrestling after her disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024.

The BJP has released its 25-point manifesto for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. Union home minister Amit Shah highlighted the party's plans for the region, including financial aid for women, free gas cylinders, and a ₹3,000 travel allowance for students. The manifesto also focuses on ending terrorism, boosting local businesses, and improving infrastructure. Plans include developing an IT hub in Jammu, modern tourist spots, and a riverfront. The BJP also aims to support farmers, expand healthcare, and rehabilitate Kashmiri Pandits while tackling illegal settlements.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has countered bribery allegations in the RG Kar rape-murder case by releasing a video of the victim’s parents, who deny claims of police bribery. The video, recorded last month, features the victim’s father rejecting bribery accusations, calling them "baseless rumours." TMC leader Shashi Panja accused the BJP of exploiting the tragedy for political gain and condemned the spread of "fake" videos by BJP's IT cell. The BJP has been criticized for politicizing the issue and attempting to undermine the pursuit of justice for the victim.

Rahul Gandhi has criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the collapse of a 35-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Maharashtra. The Congress leader called it an insult to the warrior king. Gandhi claimed corruption in the statue's construction and said the contract was given to an RSS member. He questioned why PM Modi apologized, suggesting he knew about the corruption. Sculptor Jaydeep Apte and consultant Chetan Patil have been arrested. The opposition claims Apte has connections with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s son. Gandhi urged PM Modi to apologize to the people of Maharashtra.

BJP Bengal chief Sukanta Mazumdar accused Sandip Ghosh, ex-principal of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College, of ordering renovation near the seminar hall where a trainee doctor was raped and murdered. The order, allegedly signed by Ghosh and dated August 10, a day after the victim's death, sparked opposition claims of evidence tampering. Ghosh is currently under CBI investigation for financial irregularities. The victim's family revealed delays in viewing the body and discrepancies in the hospital's statements. The Supreme Court also questioned the Bengal government on the late filing of the FIR.

Indian cricketer Ravindra Jadeja has officially entered politics by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His wife, Rivaba Jadeja, who is a BJP MLA from the Jamnagar seat, announced the news on social media, sharing photos of them holding BJP membership cards. The enrolment took place during the BJP’s nationwide membership drive launched by party president JP Nadda on September 2, 2024. Ravindra Jadeja recently retired from T20Is after India’s victory in the T20 World Cup. Rivaba Jadeja joined the BJP in 2019 and secured the Jamnagar seat in the 2022 assembly elections.

Ex-RG Kar Medical College principal Sandip Ghosh moved the Supreme Court against the Calcutta High Court's decision to transfer the corruption case against him to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Ghosh, arrested along with three others for alleged financial misconduct at the hospital, claims the HC's order violates "principles of natural justice." The case emerged amid broader allegations of corruption at RG Kar, with links to the recent death of a trainee doctor. The Calcutta HC ruling followed a petition by former deputy superintendent Dr. Akhtar Ali, who called for a probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, known for their protests against the Wrestling Federation of India, met Rahul Gandhi, intensifying speculation about their entry into Haryana politics. Sources confirm that Congress has offered Phogat three seat options, including Dadri, Badhra, and Julana, while Punia has been given two choices: Bahadurgarh and Bhiwani. Former Haryana CM Bhupinder Hooda strongly advocated for their candidacies during the Central Election Committee meeting. The Congress believes the wrestlers’ candidacy could enhance public support, particularly among Jat voters, ahead of the October 5 assembly polls.

Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia joined the Congress party on Wednesday and will run in next month’s Haryana Assembly elections. Phogat is expected to contest the Julana seat currently held by Amarjeet Dhanda of the Jannayak Janta Party, while Punia’s exact constituency is yet to be determined. The announcement follows their meeting with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. Phogat and Punia gained prominence last year for their protests against former wrestling body chief Brij Bhushan Singh, who faced allegations of sexual assault and intimidation. 

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar has clarified that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition will not announce a chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. Pawar emphasized that the coalition will contest under collective leadership, dismissing the need for a single face. This comes amid Shiv Sena (UBT) demands for Uddhav Thackeray to be declared the chief ministerial candidate. Pawar's statement highlights the coalition's strategy to focus on unity and collective leadership rather than individual faces.