The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his reported visit to Vietnam, sharing an in-flight video and making sarcastic remarks about the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

The political exchange comes amid opposition protests over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Congress and other INDIA bloc parties have been demanding accountability over the electoral revision exercise and raising concerns about alleged electoral malpractice.

The BJP’s post featured a video purportedly showing Rahul Gandhi seated inside an aircraft. The accompanying message mocked him over the reported overseas trip, portraying the journey as a break from political activity.

However, the video’s appearance and the claims accompanying it should be distinguished from independently verified information about the passenger’s identity and destination.

BJP targets Rahul Gandhi over reported Vietnam visit

The BJP’s criticism centred on the timing of Gandhi’s reported foreign trip, with the party questioning his absence from India while opposition leaders have been raising concerns over the electoral roll revision process.

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also criticised Gandhi on social media over the reported visit. The party’s remarks formed part of a broader political dispute over the Congress leader’s overseas travel and his role in opposition protests.

The reported Vietnam visit came after Gandhi participated in political activities in Goa, including the Goy Rakhon Yatra, according to reports published on the episode.

Opposition protests over electoral roll revision

The controversy unfolded against the backdrop of protests by Congress and other INDIA bloc parties concerning the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Opposition leaders have alleged irregularities in the exercise and raised questions about the Election Commission’s handling of the process. The parties have also sought action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over their allegations.

On October 12, Congress and other INDIA bloc leaders participated in a march towards the Supreme Court in connection with their concerns about the electoral revision exercise. The issue has remained a point of confrontation between the opposition and the BJP.

The BJP’s remarks about Gandhi’s reported trip have added another layer to the political exchange, with the ruling party questioning his timing while the opposition continues to challenge the electoral revision process.

Delhi has experienced a noticeable drop in temperatures, with the national capital recording its coldest morning of October so far. At the same time, concerns over air pollution have returned, with the city’s air quality facing the possibility of further deterioration.

The change in weather comes as the post-monsoon period progresses and cooler conditions begin to set in across the capital. The combination of falling temperatures and changing atmospheric conditions has renewed attention on Delhi’s pollution outlook.

Delhi’s temperature drops

The latest weather development marks a shift towards cooler mornings in the national capital. The fall in temperature is an indication of changing seasonal conditions, although it does not necessarily mean that winter has fully arrived.

Weather conditions can also influence the concentration of pollutants in the air. When winds are weak and rainfall is absent, pollutants may disperse less effectively, potentially contributing to a decline in air quality.

Air quality may deteriorate

Delhi’s pollution levels remain a concern as the city moves further into the post-monsoon season. A deterioration in air quality can occur when weather conditions allow pollutants from different sources to accumulate.

The air quality outlook is particularly important during this period, when changing wind patterns and a reduction in rainfall can affect the dispersion of pollutants. However, the possibility of worsening air quality should not be interpreted as confirmation that Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has already entered a more polluted category.

Residents should follow official air quality updates to understand the prevailing conditions and any changes in pollution levels.

Weather and pollution outlook

Delhi’s changing temperatures and air quality highlight two related but distinct aspects of the seasonal transition. A colder morning does not automatically indicate worse pollution, but weather conditions can influence how pollutants disperse.

The latest developments underline the importance of monitoring both temperature forecasts and official AQI readings as the capital moves through October.

Political tensions in Andhra Pradesh have escalated during the ongoing local body election nomination process, with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy trading allegations over violence, intimidation and the conduct of elections.

Jagan Mohan Reddy, a former chief minister, has demanded the immediate imposition of President’s Rule in the state. He has accused the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led coalition government of using the police and administrative machinery to intimidate opposition candidates and obstruct the filing of nominations.

Naidu, meanwhile, has accused the YSRCP of resorting to violence and using court cases to obstruct government initiatives. The rival accusations have intensified the political confrontation ahead of the local body elections.

Chandrababu Naidu’s ‘DNA’ remark triggers political row

On Monday, Naidu accused the YSRCP of creating disturbances in several constituencies and alleged that criminal elements from other states were being brought into areas including Punganur, Rayachoti, Dharmavaram, Tirupati, Pulivendula and Darsi.

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister also criticised the opposition over its legal challenges concerning issues such as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and reservations for Backward Classes.

Accusing the opposition of using allegations of injustice to obstruct administrative and electoral processes, Naidu said, “Violence is in their DNA.”

The remark added to the ongoing political exchange between the ruling coalition and the YSRCP.

Jagan alleges intimidation of opposition candidates

Jagan Mohan Reddy has accused the TDP-led government of creating an environment in which opposition candidates are unable to file their nominations freely.

The YSRCP chief alleged that party candidates were threatened with knives and sticks at nomination centres and that nomination papers were snatched or torn. He also accused police personnel of acting against opposition candidates and party leaders.

Reddy further alleged that police officials were picking up candidates during the night to prevent them from participating in the election process.

He claimed that three YSRCP MPs who accompanied candidates as proposers were also targeted and that their nomination papers were snatched and torn in the presence of police personnel.

These claims form part of the opposition party’s allegations against the state government. The ruling side has disputed the YSRCP’s account and accused it of politicising the violence.

Tensions reported during nomination scrutiny in Kuppam

The political confrontation coincided with tensions in Kuppam, Naidu’s home constituency in Chittoor district, on Monday during the scrutiny of nominations for local body elections.

Workers of the TDP and YSRCP allegedly clashed near a nomination centre. Police resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the rival groups.

Several people were injured and taken to hospitals in ambulances, according to the report. Candidates and party workers were also seen running for safety as the situation turned tense.

An official confirmation of the injuries and police action was awaited at the time of the report.

Jagan calls for central intervention

Demanding immediate central government intervention, Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that constitutional institutions in Andhra Pradesh were being undermined and that democratic rights were being violated.

He called for the imposition of President’s Rule and sought the deployment of central paramilitary forces to help ensure free and fair local body elections. He also demanded CCTV coverage of the entire election process.

The demand follows the YSRCP chief’s allegations that opposition candidates are being prevented from filing nominations and that police personnel are failing to protect them.

The ruling coalition has rejected the opposition’s allegations, leaving the two sides locked in a dispute over responsibility for the violence and the fairness of the electoral process.

Andhra Pradesh local body election schedule

The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission, headed by State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha, announced the election schedule on October 14.

According to the announced timetable:

• Urban local bodies: Polling for 100 urban local bodies is scheduled for October 28, with counting on October 30.
• MPTC and ZPTC elections: Polling for Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies is scheduled for November 3, with counting on November 5.
• Gram Panchayat elections: Polling is scheduled in three phases on November 26, November 29 and December 2.

The nomination process has become a fresh point of confrontation between the ruling coalition and the YSRCP, with both sides accusing the other of undermining the democratic process.