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Gupkar Alliance to contest Jammu and Kashmir DDC polls

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Amid protests by right-wing parties, six constituents of the People’s Alliance for the Gupkar Declaration on Saturday held a meeting in Jammu and decided to contest the upcoming District Development Council (DDC) elections jointly in the Union Territory. The PAGD comprises seven national and regional parties which include the National Conference, the Peoples Democratic Party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, J&K People’s Conference, Awami National Conference and the People’s Movement. The first-ever elections to the DDCs are scheduled to be held in eight phases beginning on November 28. Each DDC will comprise elected members from 14 territorial constituencies which are being delimited.

On October 17, the Ministry of Home Affairs had approved the amendments suggested in Jammu and Kashmir’s Panchayati Raj Act, 1989. The DDC elections will be the first polls to be held in Jammu and Kashmir since the scrapping of Article 370. The elections will be held in eight phases from 28 November to 22 December. The election will cover 280 constituencies, which have been further divided into 14 territorial constituencies. Since the NC and PDP had boycotted the 2018 elections, 228 seats in urban local bodies and 13,241 panch and sarpanch seats were left vacant. Jammu and Kashmir had witnessed Block Development Council elections last year, but only elected panches and sarpanches had participated in it.

Despite the abruptness of timing and the suddenness to complete everything within one month, the people’s alliance has decided to contest these elections jointly. Addressing the conference in Jammu, the PAGD spokesperson and the Chairman of People’s Conference, said contesting elections is the most sacred space in democracy and no one could murder or molest it. Concluding his remark, he said that the PAGD chairperson and NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah will release the list of candidates himself.

Senior PDP leader Naeem Akhtar has said that the alliance expects a landslide victory in the Union Territory. With this victory, the alliance would like to send a message to the world that the BJP government scrapped the Article 370 last year without any consultation with Jammu and Kashmir’s public representatives. The party is committed to prove that government has done wrong on August 5 with the people of the Jammu and Kasmir and their public representatives. He said that the locals and national representatives have joined hands together in the DDC election to give a strong message to the Centre.

After 15 months of the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, the decision of mainstream parties to contest jointly in DDC polls is likely to open up political space for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. For the first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir’s electoral politics, the major mainstream rivals National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party have decided to jointly contest an election in the state.

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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