The Election Commission of India issued a stern rebuttal to Trinamool Congress over West Bengal's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, warning the party against influencing or threatening Booth Level Officers. The ECI emphasized waiting until December 9 draft publication before filing objections, citing Article 326 that foreigners cannot vote. The Commission appointed a special roll observer and ordered security for election officers amid TMC allegations of bias and BLO deaths. Separately, TMC's Abhishek Banerjee launched internal overhaul, deploying nine senior leaders for nine-day district monitoring after Mamata Banerjee expressed dissatisfaction with uneven progress. The confrontation deepens ahead of 2026 elections, with both sides trading accusations over the contentious revision process affecting millions of voters.(PC: The Hindu & The Statesman)

Karnataka is in a political stir as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar face a leadership battle. Home Minister G Parameshwara said he would support Shivakumar as Chief Minister if the Congress decides on a change. But Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan said Siddaramaiah’s post is not empty and he will stay. Shivakumar’s supporters flew to Delhi to urge the party leaders for a transition. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will meet both sides to resolve the crisis. Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are ready to attend. The feud is creating confusion and affecting the party’s image. (PC: India Today)

Ramanagara MLA Iqbal Hussain has made a bold claim, stating he is “200 per cent” certain that Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar will soon be elevated to Chief Minister. The remark has intensified ongoing discussions within Congress about a possible leadership change, especially as several MLAs have traveled to New Delhi to lobby the party high command. Meanwhile, senior leader Veerappa Moily has publicly backed Shivakumar’s rise, calling his eventual promotion a “settled matter.” 

Elon Musk's X platform rolled out a location-revealing feature over the weekend, sparking political controversy in India. Several politically active accounts critical of the government were found based outside India, particularly in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other Asian nations. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera's account shows "United States," while Maharashtra Congress displays "Ireland." BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya claimed this exposed a "coordinated global operation to influence India's social discourse and spread misinformation." Accounts of 'Diya Sharma' and 'Yashita Nagpal,' both Pakistan-based with anti-BJP content drew attention, 'Diya' was subsequently suspended. X's product head claims 99% accuracy, though VPN usage may affect results. Similar issues emerged in the US, with MAGA accounts traced to Eastern Europe and India.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced plans for a nationwide yatra against Special Intensive Revision (SIR) following state assembly elections, warning "If they hurt me, I will shake things up." The Trinamool Congress chief predicted BJP would lose Bengal elections and be ousted from Centre in 2029. Addressing a Bongaon rally in North 24 Parganas, Banerjee accused the Election Commission of acting as "BJP's commission" and claimed 35 people died due to SIR's electoral roll purification drive. She blamed the BJP-led central government for illegal infiltration, questioning Border Security Force's border management. Banerjee assured genuine voters not to fear exclusion, promising "As long as TMC is here, we will not allow them to touch you."

Over ten legislators loyal to D. K. Shivakumar have travelled to Delhi to press the Indian National Congress high command to honour an alleged 2023 promise that he would become Chief Minister midway through the current term. This move injects fresh tension into the state government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who cancelled a two-day tour and returned to Bengaluru amid the internal power struggle. The party has not officially confirmed any rotational CM formula, while Shivakumar himself distanced from the controversy and said he will serve as long as the party wants him. (PC: X)

JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Bihar Chief Minister for a record 10th time at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, as 26 ministers took oath alongside him. The new cabinet includes one Muslim, Jama Khan, and three women — Shreyasi Singh, Rama Nishad, and Leshi Singh. The coalition government comprises members from BJP, JD(U), LJP (Ram Vilas), HAM (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top NDA leaders attended the ceremony. 

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to stop the Special Intensive Revision of the voter list. She said Booth Level Officers are being “pushed to submit incorrect or incomplete entries” due to fear and pressure. Banerjee accused the CEO’s office of threatening BLOs instead of helping them. She said the rushed and unclear process is harming officials and could remove genuine voters. She also referred to the suicide of a BLO in Jalpaiguri. Banerjee warned that continuing the exercise without changes will hurt officials and citizens.

Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Bihar Chief Minister for a record tenth time following the NDA’s decisive victory in the state assembly elections, where it won 202 out of 243 seats. The oath ceremony took place at Gandhi Maidan, Patna, and was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and senior NDA leaders. Kumar was unanimously elected as the leader of the NDA legislature party. His government is expected to focus on development, infrastructure, law and order, and welfare schemes, continuing his long-standing governance in the state and strengthening the NDA’s political base.  

Prashant Kishor has emerged as the strongest Opposition leader in Bihar after the NDA’s big win. While Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav have stayed silent since the results, Kishor has stepped forward with sharp criticism of the new government. His Jan Suraaj Party did not win any seats but gained 3.3% votes. PK has promised to monitor the NDA’s promise of giving ₹2 lakh to 1.5 crore women and even said he would quit politics if the scheme is fulfilled. On November 20, as Nitish Kumar takes oath, PK will hold a 24-hour fast at a Gandhi Ashram to mark his protest. (PC: India Today)