The Election Commission, on Thursday, issued a notice to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for calling PM Modi a "panauti" (harbinger of bad luck) over India's loss in the World Cup final. At a rally in Rajasthan on November 21, Gandhi remarked, "Panauti... panauti... Achha bhalaa hamare ladke wahaan World Cup jeetne waale the, par panauti harwaa diya (Our boys were going to win the World Cup, but panauti got them defeated)” BJP lashed out, accusing Gandhi of abusive remarks out of "frustration of electoral losses." KC Venugopal of the Congress, however, defended Gandhi’s jibe, "Rahul ji has said what many have been thinking since 2 days!" Rahul faces EC action for labeling PM Modi "panauti" and blaming him for ruining India's World Cup chances. The "panauti" controversy has taken centre-stage in the Rajasthan polls to be held on 25 November across 200 constituencies. 

Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee broke her silence on the controversy over Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra, stating "Mahua Moitra's expulsion from Lok Sabha is being planned... but this will help her before (the 2024 general) election." Attacking the BJP's use of agencies against rivals, Mamata predicted they "will go after BJP post-2024." This was her first show of solidarity for Moitra accused of the cash-for-query scam after she avoided commenting on it earlier. TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee had called her "a victim of vendetta politics", questioning her recommended expulsion. In predicting Mahua's ouster from parliament would aid her politically, Mamata asserted her first direct support for the besieged MP.

The Enforcement Directorate seized assets worth Rs 751.9 crore in a money laundering probe against Congress-linked entities Associated Journals Ltd (AJL) and Young Indian. The ED started the money laundering investigation based on a court order following a complaint in 2014. A Delhi court found AJL closed operations but used the land allotted at concessional rates for commercial purposes instead of publishing. It should have repaid a Rs 90 crore AICC loan but AICC sold it to newly formed Young Indian for just Rs 50 lakh. Young Indian later took over AJL, reducing other shareholders to 1%. This cheated AJL shareholders and Congress donors, the court had observed. Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi called the massive asset seizure a " distraction created by BJP to divert attention from their defeat in upcoming polls."

On Friday, over 72 million voters across Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh will cast ballots for 230 and 70 assembly seats respectively in the two heartland states. In Madhya Pradesh, key battles involve CM Shivraj Chouhan in Budhni, former CM Kamal Nath in Chhindwara, ex-Union Minister Tomar in Dimni, and BJP's Kailash Vijaywargiya in Indore. Congress has banked on anti-incumbency while BJP highlighted the center's achievements. PM Modi held 14 rallies while Congress chief Kharge campaigned extensively along with Rahul Gandhi in MP. BJP's manifesto promised free girls' education, subsidized LPG, and homes for all. Congress promised jobs, an OBC quota, and a state IPL team.  In Chhattisgarh, the second phase of polling will decide the fate of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Deputy CM T S Singhdeo. The electoral fight is largely between the Congress and the BJP in both Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh and will have significant national ramifications. [Image: Representative Photo]

A three-member foreign diplomat delegation observed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow in Indore before the upcoming Madhya Pradesh assembly elections on November 17. The delegation, part of the "Know BJP" initiative, included representatives from the Australian High Commission, Tanzanian High Commission, and the Japanese embassy. Japanese diplomat Mayumi Tsubakimoto described Indian elections as a festive celebration. Similar delegations had previously visited Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat during assembly elections in 2022. The initiative aims to provide foreign diplomats with insights into the BJP's election campaigns and strategies. [ photo courtesy: NewsArinaIndia/X ]    

Words fly like missiles as the Madhya Pradesh election knocks on the door. At a public meeting in Betul district,  PM Modi said the huge crowds indicate BJP's win is certain in the November 17 polls. He claimed "unprecedented trust and affection" for BJP in MP, while "Congress has accepted defeat." On Rahul Gandhi's earlier jibe on Monday that mobile phones in the people's pockets were "Made in China" and they should rather be "Made in Madhya Pradesh", Modi said: "A 'mahagyani' from Congress said people have 'Made in China' phones...moorkhon ke sardar... in which world do they live." He slammed Rahul, asserting "They (The Congress) have the disease of not seeing their country's progress" when India is now the 2nd largest mobile phone manufacturer globally. Modi said some Congress leaders don't even want to campaign. He dubbed Rahul the "king of fools" for alleging MP phones are Chinese when India excels in manufacturing.

Telangana minister KT Rama Rao and other Bharat Rashtra Samithi leaders fell from a vehicle while campaigning on Thursday ahead of state assembly elections. Video shows the leaders greeting crowds from atop a truck when the driver suddenly braked, causing them to lose balance. The protective railings broke and several leaders tumbled down, including Rajya Sabha MP Suresh Reddy, while KTR managed to keep his footing. KTR later said he was unhurt and told people not to worry, before continuing his schedule with a road show in Kodangal. The incident occurred during campaigning in Nizamabad as BRS leaders reach out to voters before the upcoming polls.

The Winter Session of Parliament will commence on December 4 and continue till December 22, spanning 15 sittings over 19 days. Announcing the dates, Minister Pralhad Joshi said he looks forward to discussions during the Amrit Kaal. The session was deferred from November due to ongoing assembly elections in 5 states, whose results will be declared on December 3. This will be the first full session in the new Parliament building. Key bills to replace the IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act are likely to be taken up. The bill on CEC and EC appointment may also be considered amid past opposition over granting cabinet secretary-level status. The government will seek to pass pending legislation in this last session of the year.

Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee came out in support of MP Mahua Moitra, accused in the cash-for-query scam. Calling her a "victim of politics", Banerjee said the "competent" Moitra can "fight her own battles." He accused the BJP of targeting TMC leaders, questioning why expulsion was recommended against Moitra when no evidence was found. Banerjee, considered Mamata's Number 2, gave the first remarks from TMC leadership amid the party's silence on the case. His defense of Moitra is significant as she faces allegations with disclosures from her personal life. TMC chief Mamata has not spoken at all about the case. Abhishek Banerjee, who is himself being probed by the ED in the Bengal school jobs scam, said Moitra was being "victimized", by the BJP's "standard practice."

The Parliament Ethics Committee has recommended the disqualification of Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra from the Lok Sabha given its ongoing probe into alleged bribe-for-query accusations.  BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had accused Moitra of accepting payment from businessman Darshan Hiranandani to ask preset questions, citing a letter claiming irrefutable evidence. Moitra strongly denied the allegations in legal notices. However, sources said the committee advised probing financial ties between Moitra and Hiranandani before finalizing its report on November 9th. The BJP outweighed opposition parties in voting on the matter. If disqualified, Moitra would lose her seat in a severe blow amid the high-profile unsupported accusations per her stance.