No plan to ban Awami League or any other party: Govt to court
Dhaka, August 27 The interim government in Bangladesh on Tuesday said it has no plans to ban any political organisations, including the Awami League headed by deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina. This was stated by Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman when... Key Points
The TribuneDalit face, 'miracle' cures: What draws devotees to Hathras godman 'Bhole Baba'
Narayan Sakar Hari, who comes from the Jatav sub-caste, holds a sway over the community. His gatherings attract tens of thousands of devotees, including top political figures. Key Points
India TodayVietnam Is in Danger of Losing Its China 1 Appeal
Two presidents ousted in a year spells trouble for the favored investment spot. political uncertainty is casting a shadow over its prospects. Key Points
mintSC agrees to list on March 21 PIL against practice of parties promising freebies during polls
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on March 21 regarding the practice of political parties promising freebies during elections. The plea seeks a total ban on such populist measures, arguing that they violate the Constitution. The court had previously referred the matter to a three-judge bench, recognizing the need for extensive debate on the issue. Key Points
Economic TimesThe real question in the electoral bonds issue is – will cash make a comeback?
The best way to handle political donations is a modified version of electoral bonds. Going back to the old system with huge amounts of cash collection would be a retrograde step. Key Points
ThePrint
Hisar MP Brijendra Singh resigns from BJP, meets Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge
Brijendra Singh, former MP from Hisar, resigned from the Bharatiya Janata Party citing compelling political reasons. He met with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi along with Former Union Minister Birender Singh. Key Points
Economic TimesWhy Chandigarh could have made India look like Pakistan
India News: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) should refrain from using unethical tactics to grab and hold onto power. Upholding maryada (righteousness) is essential for the Republic, democracy, and Sanatana Dharma. Learn more about the BJP's hunger for power and the importance of ethics in politics. Key Points
Times Of IndiaElectoral bonds have been scrapped but not corporate funding
The Supreme Court axed those bonds in the interest of Indian voters. A suitable mechanism is now needed that prioritizes transparency in efforts to curb corruption. Key Points
mintSC ruling on bonds good but transparency problem in election expenditure still untouched
EBS is now gone, but ETS is still available, ECI should nudge political parties and the corporate world towards wider use of ETS. Then, at least one part of electoral funding can become cleaner. Key Points
ThePrintThe news sources that Indians will trust and distrust this poll season
Urban India largely acknowledges that social media is the least trustworthy place to form political views. But many place high trust in the party of their own liking, while dismissing the others as propagandists. BJP supporters are less sceptical of informal news sources than others. Key Points
mint
Electoral Bonds: Why are they banned & how will it affect BJP?
Poll bonds: Indias Supreme Court has banned the use of anonymous electoral bonds by political parties for fundraising. This decision affects funding across party lines but is seen as a setback for the ruling BJP, which benefited the most from the scheme. Key Points
Economic TimesSC flags lack of distinction between 'campaign and electoral funding'
The Supreme Court has highlighted the lack of distinction between campaign funding and electoral funding in the legal regime. It emphasized the connection between economic inequality and political inequality, the importance of transparency and the right to information, and the concerns regarding asymmetric access to information. Key Points
Economic TimesIncome Tax department issues notices to taxpayers for donations to unrecognized political parties
The Income Tax Department has issued notices to taxpayers who made donations to political parties registered but not recognized by the Election Commission, for fiscal years 2021 and 2022. The notices under Section 80GGC of the Income Tax Act aim to investigate whether such donations were used for tax evasion and money laundering. Around 5,000 notices have been sent so far, targeting donations to about 20 unrecognised political parties. Key Points
Economic TimesDo not use children in poll campaigning: EC to political parties
The Election Commission has issued an advisory to political parties ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, urging them not to use children in any form during their campaigns. The commission has a zero tolerance policy towards the use of children by parties and candidates. This includes not using children for distributing posters and pamphlets, sloganeering, or using them in rallies. The presence of a child accompanied by their parent or guardian near a political leader who is not involved in campaign activities is not considered a violation of the guidelines. Key Points
Economic Times‘Politics not a hobby for me’ — what ‘Thalapathy’ Vijay’s political foray could mean for TN politics
After 30 years in the film industry, Vijay has floated his own party, Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam. Analysts believe it could eat into the votes of the existing Dravidian parties. Key Points
ThePrint
Former President Kovind panel set to submit report before Lok Sabha polls
The panel's next meeting is scheduled for February 10 and, before that, it may hold consultations with some more legal luminaries and political leaders, the people said. The committee has so far received responses from 26 of the 47 parties from which it had sought their views on simultaneous polls for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Key Points
Economic TimesPatna’s paltu politics: 4 ways game changes
Find out why Nitish Kumar has returned to BJP and how it will impact Bihar politics. Explore the changing equations among the state's three principal players. Key Points
Times Of IndiaModi has defined new 'political time' at Ayodhya. It'll reshape our future public culture
Modi is not the first Indian Prime Minister who is invested in the idea of political time. Jawaharlal Nehru played a significant role in offering a powerful interpretation. Key Points
ThePrintCould taking on India cost Muizzu elections in Maldives?
India News: Explore the political crossroads in Maldives and its impact on President Mohammed Muizzu's elections. Find out how the row with India and domestic developments are shaping the future of the archipelago nation. Key Points
Times Of IndiaVedanta Ltd approves Rs 200-crore political contribution
Vedanta passed the resolution on November 4, just two days before the 29th tranche of electoral bond sales was launched. These sales ended November 20. The window for the sale of electoral bonds opened ahead of elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram. Key Points
Economic Times
All set for electoral drama: December 3 to unveil political fortunes in four states
Citizens and politicians await with bated breath as the electronic voting machines (EVMs) tomorrow (December 3, 2023) will tally the votes cast by millions of voters. The outcomes in each state are poised to not only determine the course of regional governance but also leave a lasting impact on the national political landscape. Key Points
Economic TimesHow electoral bonds have created the illusion that political funding in India is becoming clean
The question of which right ought to prevail over the other is not merely philosophical or normative, but also a practical one. The solicitor general was not wrong when he stated that full transparency of donors' identity might expose them to retribution. In its early years, AAP sought to establish transparency of its funding by publicising its donors' list. It converted them into targets for investigative agencies, and AAP had to quickly let go of its transparency ambitions. Key Points
The Economic TimesElon Musk confirms X's leap towards super app status with upcoming video and audio calls feature
Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter) to introduce voice and video call features as part of its transformation into a super app. X also announces it will allow political advertising in the US, while maintaining a prohibition on false information and election interference. Key Points
mintX will allow political ads from candidates, parties ahead of US election
By Sheila Dang (Reuters) - X, the social media company formerly known as Twitter, said Tuesday it would now allow political advertising in the U.S. from candidates and political parties and expand its Key Points
ThePrint‘I’d rather get a ticket because I’m a winnable candidate, not because I’m a woman’: Smriti Irani
Irani was speaking at the launch of Nidhi Sharma's book She, The Leader. It chronicles the lives of 17 women in politics including Indira Gandhi, Mayawati, Irani and Kanimozhi. Key Points
ThePrint
Across the aisle by P Chidambaram: Rebuff to centralism
The two judgments of the Supreme Court have interdicted the drift towards ‘centralism’. The Karnataka verdict has derailed the vaunted double-engine government. The best inoculation against ‘centralism’ is to keep our electoral and political system plural - several parties winning power in the states and at least two parties contesting for power at the Centre. Key Points
FinancialexpressThe Kerala Story director Sudipto Sen was ‘not prepared for backlash’
Director of The Kerala Story, Sudipto Sen says no political party should have opposed the film. The ban in West Bengal meanwhile has been stayed by the Supreme Court. | Bollywood Key Points
Hindustan TimesChandigarh prof delves into Nayantara Sahgal’s work in new book
Professor Maninder Sidhu released her book "Nayantara Sahgal: A Century of political Insights" at the Government Museum and Art Gallery in Chandigarh. The book provides a comprehensive critical re-reading of Sahgal's works and includes her engagement with historical events and political dilemmas linked to the colonial, anti-post-neo-/colonial discourse in India. The launch was followed by a discussion between the author and prominent 20th-century thinkers and writers. Key Points
Hindustan TimesMeet ChatGPT’s Right-Wing Alter Ego
A programmer is building chatbots with opposing political views to make a point about biased AI. He’s also planning a centrist bot to bridge the divide. Key Points
WIREDpolitical donations to evade tax under I-T scanner
The first leg of the transaction --- where money was donated by cheque or electronic transfers with the donor receiving a receipt from the political party --- would come across as legitimate donation. It allowed donors to reduce their taxable incomes by claiming full deduction of the amounts in their Income tax (I-T) returns. Key Points
Economic Times