Donald Trump ramped up his campaign efforts ahead of the November 5 election by holding three rallies in battleground states, including two in North Carolina and one in Virginia. At these events, he projected confidence in his position and urged supporters to turn out to vote. Trump emphasized the need for voters to express their discontent with Vice President Kamala Harris, declaring, “Kamala, You’re Fired!” After the rallies, he posted a video on X, highlighting the success of his MAGA rallies in Gastonia, Salem, and Greensboro, encouraging his followers to stand up and make their voices heard on Election Day.

The Election Commission of India has postponed bypolls for 14 Assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Punjab from November 13 to November 20. This decision followed requests from multiple political parties, citing festivals such as Kalpathi Rastholsavam, Kartik Purnima, and Prakash Parv, which could reduce voter turnout. Despite the change in polling dates, the counting of votes will proceed on November 23 as planned. A total of 48 Assembly and 2 Parliamentary seats across 15 states will participate in the bypolls, including Kerala's Palakkad and Punjab's Dera Baba Nanak constituencies.

The first session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in six years descended into chaos as PDP MLA Waheed Para submitted a resolution calling for the restoration of Article 370, challenging the union territory’s 2019 status change. All 28 BJP MLAs opposed the resolution, sparking noisy protests and demands for Para's suspension. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah dismissed the resolution as unimportant, while PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti praised Para for his stand. The Speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather, said the resolution would be examined when formally received. The session underscored the ongoing political tensions surrounding Kashmir's special status.

Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is set to contest 25 out of 36 Assembly seats in Mumbai, challenging both BJP and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) in key constituencies. This move raises concerns for the ruling coalition as MNS targets BJP and Shiv Sena seats, including Mahim, Worli, and Sewree, where intense competition is expected. With Maharashtra polls on November 20 and results on November 23, analysts suggest MNS’s entry could split votes, impacting the ruling Mahayuti coalition and the opposition MVA. Notably, MNS avoided challenging prominent BJP leaders like Rahul Narwekar and Ashish Shelar.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren criticized BJP for alleged “double standards” on ties with Bangladesh, questioning why former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was allowed refuge in India. Addressing a rally in Garhwa, Soren countered Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s accusations that the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) government enabled Bangladeshi infiltration, which Shah claimed was altering the state’s demographics. Soren highlighted that Jharkhand’s electricity is supplied to Bangladesh, yet the state faces pollution issues. He added that it’s the Centre’s role to control borders and manage infiltration, not Jharkhand’s. Jharkhand Assembly elections are set for November 13 and 20.

Prashant Kishor, a renowned Indian election strategist and convenor of Jan Suraj, has revealed that his fee for advising in one election is over Rs 100 crore. While campaigning for the upcoming by-elections in Bihar, Kishor disclosed this information at an event in Belaganj on October 31. He addressed a gathering that included members of the Muslim community, explaining that people often inquire about how he funds his campaigns. Kishor confidently stated, "Ten governments in different states are running on my strategies," highlighting his impressive track record ¹. This fee underscores Kishor's expertise and influence in shaping election outcomes in India.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has criticized Congress for making "unfounded and sensational complaints" about the Haryana Assembly elections, including claims of EVM tampering and vote-counting delays. Following Congress’s objections to a displayed 99% battery status on EVMs, the ECI dismissed these allegations as “baseless” and warned that such claims risk creating public unrest. The poll body urged Congress to avoid "generic doubts" after unfavorable results, emphasizing the importance of maintaining electoral credibility. Congress had voiced concerns about "unexpected" results in Haryana, where BJP won 48 out of 90 seats, against predicted anti-incumbency trends.

With the deadline for filing nominations approaching, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition has yet to announce candidates for 20 assembly seats. The coalition comprises the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (SP). So far, Congress has declared candidates for 102 seats, Shiv Sena (UBT) for 84 seats, and NCP (SP) for 82 seats, totaling 268 of the 288-member Assembly. The remaining 20 seats are still undecided. Sources indicate that Congress is seeking to negotiate the Versova, Byculla, and Wadala constituencies with the Shiv Sena faction led by Uddhav Thackeray as part of the ongoing negotiations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the Trinamool Congress and Aam Aadmi Party for not implementing the Ayushman Bharat scheme in West Bengal and Delhi, calling it “inhuman” to deny healthcare for political interests. He launched the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) for senior citizens, offering health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh annually for those over 70. Additionally, those already under the Ayushman Bharat scheme will receive a Rs 5 lakh top-up. This new initiative aims to support around 6 crore senior citizens nationwide, improving access to healthcare for the elderly.

Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, announced he received assurances from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah on restoring Jammu and Kashmir's statehood. After returning from New Delhi, Abdullah expressed optimism, sharing that commitments at the “highest level” would lead to governance changes in the Union Territory. Addressing concerns, he warned officials against exploiting the current “hybrid governance model,” promising strict oversight. Abdullah also submitted a cabinet resolution urging the central government to expedite the statehood restoration. This move highlights efforts to reshape J&K's political landscape and fulfill long-standing demands for statehood.