Over 200 Youth Congress leaders and office bearers suspended for "defying" crown prince Rahul Gandhi and skipping Nov 1 Ramlila ground rally

The Indian Youth Congress has suspended at least 215 office-bearers across seven states and its Uttar Pradesh Central unit for missing the November 1 rally convened by Rahul Gandhi. 

The state-wise figures were 60 from Madhya Pradesh, 

49 from Gujarat,

 32 from Jharkhand, 

26 from West Bengal, 

14 from Telangana, 13 from Himachal Pradesh, 

11 from Uttar Pradesh Central and 10 from Haryana.

The Madhya Pradesh Youth Congress' X handle also confirmed its action on social media. 

The order said the disciplinary action followed instructions from the national leadership and would remain effective until further notice.

The disciplinary action in Madhya Pradesh affected nine district presidents, five vice-presidents, 14 general secretaries and 32 secretaries.  

The INDI-alliance bloc held its "Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao" rally on November 1, targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral roll irregularities.

The gathering, addressed by Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and other Opposition leaders, was projected as a major show of strength. 

"One thing is clear, there was no proper connect between the rally and the common people. Otherwise Youth Congress office-bearers could not give it a miss," says a BJP leader also adding that "this further shows there was "orders and instructions" to attend the rally.

"Nothing was spontaneous and organic," he added.

Reports said ---  On November 2 and 3, state units began issuing suspension orders, citing organisational indiscipline.

Seizing the opportunity, several BJP leaders including spokesperson C R Kesavan, mocked Rahul Gandhi and claimed that his own Youth Congress colleagues had snubbed him.  

The Youth Congress publicly announced the disciplinary action against its own workers through its official social media handles. The disciplinary action, reportedly involving 215 office-bearers across eight state units, has raised questions over how the Congress is treating its own workers. 

One of those suspended is Madhya Pradesh Youth Congress general secretary Rohit Rajoria, who told Aaj Tak's Ravish Pal Singh that he could not attend because of his uncle's terahvin, the 13th-day ritual following a death. Rajoria alleged that he had informed the organisation beforehand but was suspended without a show-cause notice.
Other suspended office-bearers cited weddings, illnesses and family celebrations as reasons for missing the rally.

RSS footprints increase with BJP in power in West Bengal

Although no BJP or RSS leader has stated that the BJP’s coming to power in West Bengal had changed the 'ground situation' vis-a-vis Shakha activities, it was a fact that people in droves joined RSS shakhas after the Lotus party ousted the Mamata regime.

State higher education minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay took to his social media handle and said -- “It is West Bengal after change” suggesting there has been immense increase in RSS activities in the state.

An RSS functionary said: “Many people associated with the RSS had faced resistance from the former Left and Trinamool governments. But now, the scenario has changed and the growth of our organisation has exceeded our expectations.”   

In West Bengal, the number of Shakhas was up by 150 per cent compared to 2025 when there were around 5,000 shakhas across the state.  

There were only 68 shakhas in Baruipur of South 24-Parganas earlier. Now, the number is around 279. 

In West Burdwan’s Asansol, where the number of shakhas was around 70, the total has risen to 180. 

“Earlier, 10-20 people used to come to a shakha. Now, 50-60 people do,” said another leader. 

RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale says: 

“Earlier (before the change of guard in West Bengal), there used to be direct opposition to establishing Shakhas including physical resistance. However, that opposition no longer exists. The situation has changed". 

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Hindu nationalist organisation whose work played a large role in propelling Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to power, celebrated its centenary in October 2025. 

In a speech at RSS headquarters in Nagpur, its chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed a range of topics, including the conflict with Pakistan earlier this year, climate change, economic inequality and political turmoil in India's neighbouring countries.

"The world functions through dependence on each other. That is how relations between any two nations are maintained. No country can survive in isolation," he had said.  

In all practical sense, for 70 plus years -- West Bengal was a "Jehadi lab" where none imagined the Hindutva politics would shine. 

The Congress, the Marxists-led Left parties and Trinamool Congress thrived with their blatantly anti-Hindu and Muslim-appeasing politics. 

The results of May 2026 has frustrated the Sickular ecosystem - the powerful lobbies of Communists, Islamic radicals, psedu-intellectuals with 'anti-Sanatan' prism and the Congress party.

Hence, frustration is deep and understandable. Therefore a new polity is unleashed ... "discredit Indian elections" itself. 

ends 

US Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal raised India's "internal SIR issue" ::: Was rebuked by Indian envoy Kwatra .... now re-elected from Seattle

 

US Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal made news recently when she spoke about Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in India. 

Ms Jayapal defeated Republican challenger Nirav Sheth in the Seattle-area district, where the two candidates of Indian descent contested the same House seat from opposing sides of the political spectrum.

First elected to Congress in 2016, Jayapal represents Washington’s 7th Congressional District, which includes most of Seattle and neighbouring communities such as Shoreline, Vashon Island and parts of Burien and Normandy Park. She has an image of a 'progressive Democrat' and she has established herself as a prominent voice on immigration reform, workers’ rights.    

Of course now there is euphoria in the US about the mandate. Analysts says quite often when it is claimed there is "nothing better on offer", they are proved wrong. This is how many analysts are looking at the US mid-term elections outcome. 

Not long ago, an egoistic President (Trump) had said - “I could stand in the middle of the Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn’t lose any voters, OK?”   

Americans have - rightly - reacted angrily. 

Indian American candidates scored key victories in the Nov 3, 2026 U.S. midterm elections, securing seats in Congress and state legislatures. From established lawmakers winning re-election to newcomers making their way into elected office, the results highlighted the community’s continued presence in US  politics.

Democrats Pia Dandiya and 

Suhas Subramanyam secured congressional victories.

Maryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller won another term alongside Gov Wes Moore. 

Several other Indian American lawmakers also retained their seats, strengthening the community’s representation at different levels of government.  

Now, what's there from the US mid-term elections for India's foreign policy engine room - the PMO and MEA ?

From mere guess and past style of functioning - one can use two phrases rather comfortably - "India is cautiously optimistic" and there was "perhaps also a sigh of relief".

The turbulence in ties in the last one year and half was palpable everybit.

Hence, the Democrats seizing control of both the Senate and House of Representatives is a welcome development.

Narendra Modi's 2019 slogan "Abki baar Trump Sarkar" has come a full circle and more than India's Prime Minister; the US President has to be blamed for all that. 

The general public opinion in India has turned suspicious and also "against" Washington. There is no quick-fix to repair the damage. 

The US administration itself has damaged the meticulously built strategic trust between the two sides.

Of course, Americans did not vote considering the calculus of Indo-US ties. 

The issue of cost of living for average Americans is linked to the tariffs imposed on imported products including from India. This harmed India's export.

Now everyone will be keen to watch whether the US Congress -  dominated by the Democrats - will push back against the tariff imposition powers granted Trump and his Republican members in the Congress. 

The mid-term elections produced the wave, but the forces generating it were already in motion. They came in various forms -- 

Economic -- increasingly existential for millions of Americans.

Was America moving forward without them ?

ends 

Can New Delhi trust Washington after Trump's wings have been "clipped" ::::: The India-Pakistan 'ceasefire' claim by Trump in 2025 May was one of the biggest irritants

October 27th - was a celebration of Israeli democracy. Nov 4th, 2026 turned out to be the same for Americans. 

Donald Trump has been reduced to a lame-duck President in several ways and hence the ball is in Washington’s court on how to "revive" the good and perhaps the golden days of India-US ties. Trump has harmed the essence of India-US ties over last so many months chiefly guided by his anti-New Delhi and whimsical style of functioning. 

Representational image 

India wants the 'strong India-US' ties which was made possible after years of  hard work from both sides.

India wants an end to the Ukraine and Iran wars. The US will have to play its own role a bit more sensitively unlike the manner Trump treated this New Delhi-Washington axis.  The 'setback' to Republicans and the dramatic mandate of the US midterms will probably have less impact on India-U.S. bilateral relations. 

But the same thing cannot be spoken on geopolitics. Donald Trump will now easily 'face restraints' on both domestic and foreign policy. 

The India-Pakistan 'ceasefire' claim by Trump in 2025 May was one of the biggest irritants. 

President Trump used social media to claim credit for the Operation Sindoor ceasefire shortly after 5.30 pm IST on May 10, 2025. He later claimed that he had virtually stopped the war from escalating to a nuclear dimension. New Delhi has all along maintained that it was Islamabad that sought a ceasefire amid an Indian offensive vis-a-vis Operation Sindoor.

The Govt of India and the foreign policy engine room will have to be keep "a close eye" on the US midterm election results.

The results of the polls might be on expected lines, though the margin exceeded forecasts.  The results restore what political scientists call divided government: a president of one party, a Congress of the other, for the remainder of Donald Trump's second term. 

The question for India is not whether this changes Washington's politics -- it certainly does or will do.  

But we have to examine whether it changes the specific levers that reach New Delhi: tariffs, the H-1B visa system, remittances and the sanctions regime tied to Russian oil.

The Trump administration has flayed and threatened India with huge tariffs for buying Russian oil, but there came a time when it surprised many by its doublestandards and struck a deal with Russia to buy diesel ahead of the midterms.  

A list of India-relevant bills introduced in the outgoing 119th Congress looked, on first pass, like a pending agenda for the new one. It is not. 

Under congressional rules, any bill that has not been enacted dies when a Congress ends; nothing automatically carries over to the 120th Congress that is seated on January 3, 2027. Each of the following needs a member to reintroduce it from scratch, and a new path through newly Democratic-controlled committees. 

Ends  

Americans hate inflation, but they get particularly irate about high fuel prices :::: Death Knell of Trumpism has finally sounded ::::: 'American electorate' votes decisively to curb President’s power

Donald Trump will now have to contend with angry Democrats in both the House and Senate. 

The Democrats can block his agenda, decide on government spending, and also initiate impeachment proceedings. This will make Trump a lame-duck president.  

Image : Tehran Times : Iranians know the significance of US mandate 

Americans may hate inflation, but they get particularly irate about high fuel prices.  

Now, with a Senate majority, Democrats will be able to investigate the president and his cabinet members, draw public attention to their own agenda items, assert Congress’s constitutional prerogatives, and block Republican judicial appointments.

In the coming days and weeks, Trump will alternately say that the Republican losses were fake – the result of fraud by a nefarious but ill-defined conspiracy of Democrats and illegal immigrants – and that they were real, but somebody else’s fault.  

America went to war with Iran, and everything changed.  

Washington once imagined that its war against Iran would be a swift demonstration of American military superiority. Months later, with the conflict still exacting a heavy economic and political price, the White House is discovering that wars do not always end when their architects declare victory. 

Sometimes, they come back home — and this time, they may arrive at the ballot box.  

Trump has acknowledged the role the war on Iran has played in Republican losses in the midterm elections. “I think a part of it was Iran, but at the same time, people understood the importance of what I’ve done with Iran,” Trump said during a telephone interview with Fox News.

Frustration among voters about inflation, and the rising cost of fuel and groceries have been among the main factors behind their rebuke to Republicans. Democrats tapped into this by campaigning heavily on affordability and domestic spending.

Trump embarked on the war on Iran with Israel in February without congressional authorisation. He could still order attacks, but he could also face constraints from the new Congress. Lawmakers could use their power to deny additional funding when the current government-funding bill expires on December 11.  

The 'Blue (pro-Democrats tsunami' reflects strong dissatisfaction with the direction in which Trump has taken the country over the past two years. 

Cost of living, rising cost of diesel, and the economic consequences due to the Iran war proved to be the bugbear for Trump and the Republicans.  

Of course, Trump, not known to accept defeats gracefully, can veto any bill passed by Congress. The eccentric US President has said he would "veto" Democratic legislation if necessary, and gave him the moniker "Mr Veto".

As per the US Constitution, a president can veto legislation passed by Congress. Overriding a presidential veto requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers, something Democrats are unlikely to achieve without help from Republicans.  

The Democratic Party has signalled they would investigate the Trump family's stock trading and cryptocurrency ventures, funding of his White House ballroom project and his administration's handling of files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The business dealings of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and son Donald Trump Jr. are expected to see greater scrutiny. Jason Crow, a Colorado Congressman, has hinted at starting with the Pentagon amid reports of defence money being steered toward companies linked to the Trump family.

However, congressional investigations have limits. It cannot bring criminal charges itself and will have to refer to the Justice Department, which falls under the executive branch.

Oil prices surged to four-year highs. Diesel prices hit a record. And gas prices had never been this expensive on an Election Day.

Liangmai Naga Council steps in :::: In run to Manipur polls; all eyes on 'battle of guns and ballots' between Conrad's NPP and Neiphiu Rio's NPF

As possible elections dates for battle of 2027 are approaching faster than expected; the wide complexities of socio-political differences are coming to the fore among tribal and especially amongst Nagas of Manipur. 

The latest tale is from the Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur.

The organisation has clarified that its decision to "remain unaffiliated" with the Zeliangrong Union (ZU) and Zeliangrong Baudi (ZB) was not a rejection of ancestral brotherhood with the Zeme, Rongmei and Inpui communities. 

Instead all these were due to "organisational divisions" within the Zeliangrong community. There are substantial Zeliangrong community in Manipur and various civil and even 'militant' bodies have their love-hate relationships with other Naga organisations - both overground and underground.  

As a backgrounder, it could be stated that at the Liangmai Naga Peoples’ Convention held on October 9, 2015, at Konsaram, the community adopted five point declarations. 

Under Declaration No. 3, the convention resolved to uphold the distinct recognition and use of the name ‘Liangmai’ in accordance with its separate Scheduled Tribe status in Manipur.

They wanted a distinct recognition and representation within the United Naga Council (UNC).  

All these issues are now coming to the fore in the run up to the assembly polls due by March 2027. The centre is keen to ensure a general 'peaceful atmosphere' to conduct polls. 

The failure of law and order may be attributed to the state Govt headed by chief minister Y Khemchand Singh; but failure to conduct polls will be considered as a failure of the Central government. In the Naga areas - which have 10 seats in the 60-member assembly; the chief battle is expected between NPF led by Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio and NPP led by Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma. 

The BJP may try one or two seats but looks difficult.  The Congress which won the Lok Sabha seat in 2024 is not expected to perform 'miracle' in the state polls for obvious reasons that it does not have power of influence in Delhi. 

BJP's Biren Singh and NPP boss Conrad Sangma 

But the assumption is things may not end at these levels only. The split in NSCN-IM and the series of disturbing incidents between Kukis and Nagas in some vulnerable pockets are bound to leave serious implications at the EVMs on the polling day. 

Like in Nagaland, the NSCN-IM and other armed groups often take keen interests in "Indian elections" in politically crucial seats in Manipur too. 

In 2026, the NSCN-IM has split with the creation of Eastern Flank. 

The security analysts in Delhi now are 'examining' how much would Eastern Flank cadres and leadership take interest in polls in Manipur. One refrain that is coming in for informal discussions among political elements is "whether and if the Eastern Flank backs NPP candidates". In such a situation, going would be tough for NPF candidates because on ground in key pockets of Manipur - the Eastern Flank has "better hold" than the Hebron camp.  

Due to obvious reasons, the Hebron and NPF leadership in Kohima are likely to "not disturb each other", analysts say attributing it to local issues related to Nagaland politics.   

Time to act decisive and firm : Manipur Challenge for Modi 

"We know what works during elections in Nagaland and parts of Manipur especially. One factor is - who is in power in Delhi - Congress, Janata Dal or BJP. The threats from different Naga factions should not create any fear psychosis," says a source in Delhi.

Another analysts added: "It is the high time for the Nagas to vote for the right party both in Nagaland and in Manipur. Under BJP, Manipur was doing pretty well between 2017 and 2023... some forces derailed all that". 

The moot point is - people have to rise above narrow considerations and "vote for parties and candidates who will work for the development of the state and peace".

Both Manipur and Nagaland states receive high financial support from the Govt of India and it should reached the grass roots.

The refrain also is - in Manipur, the BJP is against any experiments like "territorial council".  

There is an argument that the societies as a whole in Manipur and especially in Naga and Kuki areas have become "intoxicated and imprisoned" by identity politics. 

By viewing every identity as a potential geographic territory for possible self-rule, the communities have become exclusive, suspicious of one another and prone to violence. 

But they have harmed the common people's welfare and interests too.

ends 

Foreign Secy Vikram Misri meets Nepal Foreign Minister Khanal, discusses India-Nepal ties ::: Nepal’s proposed economic package with India also on agenda

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri began a two-day visit to Kathmandu on Wednesday, Nov 4, with a meeting with Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal, tweeted -- "Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri paid a courtesy call on Minister for Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal at the Ministry today.  On the occasion, various matters related to further deepening the multifaceted partnership and strengthening the age-old ties of friendship between Nepal and India were discussed."

Misri, who arrived in Kathmandu on Wednesday morning at the invitation of his Nepali counterpart Amrit Bahadur Rai, paid a courtesy call on Khanal. 

Misri is scheduled to hold delegation-level talks with Rai over a working lunch. The discussions will cover the full range of bilateral relations, including Nepal’s proposed economic package with India.

Preparation related matters for Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s planned visit to India, a review of Indian-funded projects in Nepal and potential new areas of cooperation are expected to figure at the talks. 

During his stay, Misri is also scheduled to meet Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle. 

He will call on Prime Minister Shah on Thursday (Nov 5) before returning to New Delhi.  Misri is expected to convey an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Shah to visit India.

Nepal PM Shah’s proposed visit, which would be his first bilateral trip to India since taking office, is expected to take place later this month. Neither government has formally announced the dates.

On Misri’s visit, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said he would discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest with Nepali officials. It described relations between the two countries as strong and friendly, and said cooperation had made significant progress across various sectors.

“Misri’s visit will continue the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries and contribute to further strengthening the overall bilateral partnership,” the ministry said.

Reports say Vikram Misri was originally scheduled to visit Kathmandu in May, but the trip was postponed amid reported differences over protocol and renewed tensions over the Lipulekh boundary dispute.

The dispute resurfaced in early May after Nepal objected to India’s plans to facilitate the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage through Lipulekh, a mountain pass near the Nepal-India-China tri-junction that Kathmandu claims as its territory.  This is Misri’s second visit to Kathmandu since he took office as India’s foreign secretary in July 2024.