Prime Minister Narendra Modi took aim at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, using the “failed product” remark to criticise the Congress and its repeated attempts to promote its political leadership.

The remark was part of Modi’s political attack on the Congress leader at the summit, which is being held in New Delhi on October 22 and 23 under the theme A World Between Orders. The two-day event brings together political leaders, policymakers, business executives and experts from technology and other fields.

PM Modi’s ‘failed product’ remark

The phrase “failed product” has featured in Modi’s criticism of the Congress before. In August 2023, while replying to the no-confidence motion debate in the Lok Sabha, he said the Congress had repeatedly tried to launch a “failed product”, with each attempt failing.

At the 2026 summit, the remark again became a point of political criticism directed at Rahul Gandhi.

The comment should be understood as a political jibe by the Prime Minister, rather than a factual assessment of Rahul Gandhi or the Congress.

World Summit 2026

The third edition of the World Summit is taking place in New Delhi on October 22 and 23. Its theme, “A World Between Orders”, focuses on changes in global power structures and the challenges facing countries as the international order evolves.

The summit’s discussions cover geopolitics, global strategy, economic developments, artificial intelligence, technology and India’s role in the changing world order.

Prime Minister Modi is among the prominent speakers at the event, which brings together voices from politics, diplomacy, business, science and culture.

The Uttar Pradesh government has highlighted its action against organised crime under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, citing property seizures worth Rs.15,233 crore under the Gangsters Act since March 2017.

The figures form part of the state’s wider campaign against criminal networks and assets allegedly acquired through illegal activities. The government has also highlighted housing projects developed on land reclaimed from illegal occupation, with 148 families receiving homes across two projects.

The reported figures reflect the administration’s stated approach of targeting both criminal networks and the financial resources associated with them.

Rs.15,233 crore in assets seized under Gangsters Act

According to figures reported by the state government, action under the Gangsters Act has been taken against tens of thousands of people since March 20, 2017. The value of seized movable and immovable assets linked to illegal activities has been reported at more than Rs.15,233 crore.

The government has also reported action against identified mafia figures and their associates. Such measures form part of its broader efforts to target organised criminal networks in Uttar Pradesh.

These figures are government-reported statistics and should be attributed to the authorities rather than presented as an independently verified assessment of the state’s overall crime situation.

Housing projects on reclaimed land

The administration has also pointed to housing initiatives using land freed from illegal occupation. According to reports on these projects, 148 families received homes through developments in Lukerganj, Prayagraj, and Dalibagh, Lucknow.

The projects have been presented as an effort to put reclaimed land to public use, including providing housing to economically weaker families.

Yogi government’s anti-gangster approach

The action against criminal assets is part of the Yogi Adityanath government’s broader law-and-order strategy. The administration has repeatedly emphasised action against organised crime, the seizure of assets linked to criminal activity and measures intended to strengthen policing.

The reported seizure figures and housing initiatives illustrate the government’s stated emphasis on pursuing criminal assets alongside action against individuals and gangs.

The Union Territory of Ladakh will hold elections to all Panchayat Halqas on November 21, with the State Election Commission scheduling the entire electoral process to be completed by November 30.

The announcement, made by the State Election Commission on Wednesday, October 21, comes eight years after the last panchayat elections in the region, which were held in November 2018.

According to the announced schedule, the election notification will be issued by the Administrator and the State Election Commission on October 26. Candidates will be able to file their nomination papers until November 2, while scrutiny of nominations is scheduled for November 3.

The deadline for candidates to withdraw their nominations is November 5, ahead of polling on November 21. The complete election process is scheduled to conclude by November 30.

Model code of conduct comes into force

The Model Code of Conduct for candidates and political parties participating in the panchayat elections has come into force with immediate effect.

The commission has directed all concerned to comply with the code and subsequent instructions issued for the elections. The rules are intended to regulate campaign activities and ensure that the electoral process is conducted in accordance with the prescribed guidelines.

The code includes restrictions on the use of places of worship for election propaganda and the use of public or private property for putting up campaign posters without written permission. It also directs public servants to maintain impartiality and refrain from campaigning for or against any candidate or political party.

Ladakh’s previous panchayat elections were held in 2018

The previous general elections to Panchayat Halqas in Ladakh took place in November 2018, when the region was part of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Ladakh became a separate Union Territory in 2019 following the reorganisation of the erstwhile state. The upcoming polls will provide an opportunity to elect representatives to local panchayat bodies across the region.

The election schedule also comes amid wider administrative changes in Ladakh, including the restructuring of its district-level governance and the expansion of the proposed autonomous hill council structure.