🇮🇳 Top 20 Indian Politics News Stories

Thursday, October 15, 2026

Here are the 20 major Indian political developments dominating headlines today, with particular focus on the Election Commission controversy, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), the Supreme Court proceedings, opposition politics and preparations for the next round of state elections.

1. Supreme Court Issues Notice to ECI and CEC Gyanesh Kumar

The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notices to the Election Commission, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi on petitions filed by Opposition leaders challenging aspects of the SIR electoral-roll exercise. The court is seeking responses on allegations concerning voter deletions and changes to voter-registration procedures.

2. Supreme Court Orders Preservation of CCTV Footage From Delhi Protests

The Supreme Court directed law-enforcement agencies to preserve CCTV and other digital footage connected with recent Delhi protests against the Election Commission. The order came as the court heard several petitions concerning police action, restrictions on demonstrations and the SIR controversy.

3. Rahul Gandhi Faces Supreme Court Questions Over Protest Conduct

During Thursday’s hearing, Chief Justice Surya Kant questioned Rahul Gandhi’s conduct during the October 12 march to the Supreme Court. The court made clear that issuing notice on the petitions did not amount to endorsing the conduct of individual petitioners and asked for explanations where necessary.

4. Opposition’s SIR Challenge Gets Judicial Hearing

Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders have asked the Supreme Court to examine alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Their petition challenges what they describe as unilateral decisions by the Election Commission and seeks greater transparency around the process.

5. Election Commission Orders Special Summary Revision in 17 States and UTs

In a significant move amid the SIR controversy, the Election Commission ordered a Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls in 17 states and Union Territories. The exercise is specifically intended to facilitate enrolment of new, young and eligible voters and people who may have been left out.

6. Uttar Pradesh and Punjab Among States Covered by New Revision

The new SSR covers politically important states including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Uttarakhand. The qualifying date is January 1, 2027; the draft rolls are scheduled for November 12 and final rolls for January 4, 2027.

7. BJP Intensifies Attack on Rahul Gandhi

The BJP has sharply criticised Rahul Gandhi over the anti-CEC protests, describing his approach as irresponsible and accusing him of undermining constitutional institutions. The party has also raised allegations concerning conduct during the demonstrations; these are BJP claims and have been disputed politically.

8. INDIA Bloc Attempts to Present United Front

Congress, Samajwadi Party, TMC, RJD, CPI(M) and other Opposition parties have continued coordinating their campaign against the SIR process and demanding accountability from the Election Commission. Rahul Gandhi has been closely involved in organising participation by alliance partners.

9. Congress Reaches Out to Cockroach Janta Party

Congress has opened a channel of communication with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the youth-led group that has emerged as a prominent force in the recent anti-CEC protests. The outreach marks a shift from earlier distance between Congress and the new protest movement.

10. Massive Security Preparations Ahead of CJP’s October 16 March

Delhi authorities are preparing for a proposed CJP-led “Tiranga Lehrao” demonstration in Connaught Place on October 16. Police have announced extensive security and traffic arrangements amid expectations of a large gathering.

11. AAP Signals Support for CJP’s Tiranga Protest

The Aam Aadmi Party has indicated support for the CJP’s call for a Tricolour demonstration in Connaught Place. The development adds another opposition-linked political group to the wider protests surrounding the Election Commission.

12. BJP Defends Election Commission Against Opposition Charges

The BJP continues to reject allegations that the electoral-roll revision has been politically manipulated. BJP leaders have argued that the SIR process is intended to improve the accuracy of voter lists and have accused the Opposition of attempting to undermine the Election Commission.

13. JP Nadda Hits Back at Mallikarjun Kharge Over SIR

BJP leader and Union minister JP Nadda criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over his questions about alleged “infiltrators” removed from electoral rolls. Nadda accused Kharge of spreading misinformation, while Congress continues to demand greater disclosure about deletions from voter lists.

14. President Murmu Accepts Union Minister L. Murugan’s Resignation

President Droupadi Murmu has accepted the resignation of L. Murugan from the Union Council of Ministers, with immediate effect, on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi under Article 75(2) of the Constitution. The resignation adds to the day’s important developments at the Union-government level.

15. Rahul Gandhi Writes to President Over Uttarakhand Governor Appointment

Rahul Gandhi has written to President Droupadi Murmu asking her to reconsider the appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Gautam as Uttarakhand Governor until the investigation into the Ankita Bhandari case is completed. Congress has raised political and legal concerns over the appointment.

16. Uttarakhand Politics Intensifies Over Ankita Bhandari Case

The Ankita Bhandari case has again become a major political issue in Uttarakhand. Congress state president Ganesh Godiyal has accused the BJP government of protecting politically connected individuals—an allegation the ruling party has rejected.

17. Odisha Governor’s Remarks Trigger Opposition Criticism

Newly appointed Odisha Governor Braj Mohan Ram has drawn criticism from the BJD and Congress after remarks interpreted as expressing an intention to increase BJP votes. Opposition parties have questioned whether such comments are compatible with the expected neutrality of a Governor.

18. Karnataka Political Tensions Rise Over Siddaramaiah

Former Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has accused Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar of orchestrating a political operation aimed at removing Siddaramaiah. Shivakumar and the Congress leadership have rejected such allegations, amid continuing speculation over Karnataka’s internal political equations.

19. Abhishek Banerjee Questioned in Kolkata Billboard Case

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee was questioned for more than six hours in connection with a billboard-related case in Kolkata. Banerjee accused the BJP of political vendetta, while authorities have maintained that the investigation concerns the case itself.

20. Political Focus Shifts Toward 2027 State Elections

With the next major electoral cycle approaching, parties are increasingly preparing for contests in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, while the new voter-roll revision is expected to become an important political issue. BJP and opposition parties are already shaping organisational and alliance strategies for the 2027 polls.