India news Live Updates, 26 October 2026: Modi government using every possible trick to protect Gyanesh Kumar, says Mallikarjun Kharge
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Modi government of protecting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
· The Indian Express · JoinCongress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday alleged that the Modi government was attempting to protect Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar despite what he described as repeated revelations of “vote theft”.
In a post on X, Kharge questioned the Election Commission’s refusal to share information about the software used in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process under the Right to Information Act and urged people to join the Congress’ ‘Save Votes–Save the Nation’ people’s march and mega rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1.
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“Even after countless revelations of vote theft, the Modi government is resorting to every possible tactic to protect Gyanesh Kumar! When information about the software used in SIR was sought through RTI, the Election Commission refused to respond, citing ‘Trade Secrets.’ In Uttar Pradesh, details of 16.18 lakh Form-6 applications have not been made public. Irregularities involving 10,470 voters were detected in Pilibhit records. Now, they have been forced to order an investigation of Forms 6, 7, and 8 across the entire state,” he said in a post on X.
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BJP announces nationwide protests over Kharge’s remarks on Modi’s late father
The BJP has called for demonstrations across the country on Monday over remarks made by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at an event in Patna. In a statement, the party described the comments concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s late father as “insulting, indecent and offensive” and said its state units would stage protests at their respective headquarters. BJP leaders alleged that the remarks crossed the boundaries of political discourse and amounted to a personal attack rather than criticism of governance or policy. The controversy has intensified the political confrontation between the BJP and Congress over the language used by their senior leaders.
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Live Updates
Oct 26, 2026 02:06 PM IST
Moga firing: Two dead, three injured; five arrested, says Punjab DGP
Two people were killed and three others injured after unidentified assailants opened fire in Punjab’s Moga district on Sunday evening, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said on Monday.
"Yesterday, at around 7 pm, Sahil Jindal was sitting with four to five companions in the Angadpura locality when a black Scorpio arrived carrying unidentified people, who opened fire. Five people sustained injuries, of whom Sahil Jindal and Gagandeep Singh succumbed to their injuries. Six empty cartridges were recovered from the spot. An FIR has been registered based on the statement of the injured Somnath Jindal. Five accused have been arrested so far, and further investigation is underway. CCTV footage and technical evidence are being analysed to identify the actual assailants and those who supported them. Preliminary investigation indicates that the incident stemmed from a rivalry. We will investigate all angles and take exemplary action," he said.
Oct 26, 2026 01:48 PM IST
Delhi BJP protests near Kharge’s residence, demands apology over remarks on PM Modi
The Delhi BJP held a protest near Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence on Monday, demanding an apology over his alleged disparaging remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s late father.
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Oct 26, 2026 01:40 PM IST
Lucknow firing: Three injured after car parking dispute in Naubasta, police reach spot
Three people were injured after a dispute over car parking escalated into firing in Lucknow’s Naubasta area on Monday, police said. The incident occurred under the jurisdiction of Saadatganj police station. All three injured persons were taken to hospital, while police teams reached the spot to investigate.
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Oct 26, 2026 01:13 PM IST
Rajnath Singh calls Kharge's PM remarks 'deeply distressing', says 'standard of Congress' politics declining everyday'
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over his remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s late father, saying the comments had hurt the sentiments of millions of Indians.
Singh said it was particularly shocking that the remarks came from the national president of the Congress, and accused the party of defending the comments instead of expressing regret.
"This is deeply distressing. The remarks made yesterday in Patna by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge regarding Prime Minister Modi’s late father have left me stunned and profoundly hurt. What is most shocking about this entire episode is that these comments did not come from an ordinary party worker or a junior leader, but from the national president of a party that claims to be the oldest political organisation in the country. Through his conduct, the Congress President has wounded the sentiments of millions of our countrymen. Yet, the Congress party did not stop there; they are now further hurting people's sentiments by attempting to justify Kharge ji’s words. Instead of acknowledging the error and expressing regret, the Congress is busy defending and rationalising this statement. ...When the national president of the Congress party himself employs such language, it not only undermines the dignity of his office but also raises serious questions about the political culture of the Congress. Political opposition is one thing, but such conduct is unacceptable under any circumstances," he said.
Oct 26, 2026 12:40 PM IST
Modi government using every possible trick to protect CEC Gyanesh Kumar: Mallikarjun Kharge
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday alleged that the Modi government was attempting to protect Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar despite what he described as repeated revelations of “vote theft”.
In a post on X, Kharge questioned the Election Commission’s refusal to share information about the software used in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process under the Right to Information Act and urged people to join the Congress’ 'Save Votes–Save the Nation' people's march and mega rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1.
"Even after countless revelations of vote theft, the Modi government is resorting to every possible tactic to protect Gyanesh Kumar! When information about the software used in SIR was sought through RTI, the Election Commission refused to respond, citing 'Trade Secrets.' In Uttar Pradesh, details of 16.18 lakh Form-6 applications have not been made public. Irregularities involving 10,470 voters were detected in Pilibhit records. Now, they have been forced to order an investigation of Forms 6, 7, and 8 across the entire state," he said in a post on X.
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Oct 26, 2026 12:18 PM IST
Delhi: Minor fire at North Block, six fire tenders rushed to spot; no casualties reported
Thick smoke was seen emanating from Delhi’s North Block on Monday, prompting six fire tenders to rush to the spot. The minor fire broke out during internal dismantling or repair work and was extinguished. No casualties were reported.
Oct 26, 2026 12:08 PM IST
BRICS Parliamentary Forum 2026: Om Birla Meets Presiding Officers, Delegates from member and partner countries
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday met Parliamentary Presiding Officers and delegates from BRICS Member and Partner Countries during the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum 2026, strengthening dialogue, mutual understanding and parliamentary cooperation.
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Oct 26, 2026 11:47 AM IST
Sultanpur court acquits Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in defamation case
Sultanpur court on Monday acquitted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case relating to his 2018 remarks against Amit Shah.
The case was filed by local BJP leader Vijay Mishra, who accused Gandhi of making derogatory remarks against Shah, who was then the BJP national president.
Oct 26, 2026 11:24 AM IST
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The downpour on Sunday night flooded rooms and left residents struggling to sleep as water accumulated inside their houses.
Oct 26, 2026 11:15 AM IST
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Oct 26, 2026 11:10 AM IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulates Brazilian President Lula da Silva on his re-election victory
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on his re-election victory, expressing his commitment to strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.
In a post on X, Modi said he looked forward to working closely with Lula to deepen and expand the multifaceted India-Brazil Strategic Partnership, advance shared priorities of the Global South and promote a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable world.
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Oct 26, 2026 10:55 AM IST
Rahul Gandhi’s convoy meets with accident in UP's Sultanpur, Congress leader safe
Five vehicles, including an ambulance, were reportedly involved in a collision involving Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s convoy on the Purvanchal Expressway in Uttar Pradesh on Monday. The incident occurred while Gandhi was travelling to Sultanpur to appear before a special MP-MLA court in a defamation case. Several Congress workers and security personnel were reportedly injured in the mishap, while Gandhi was safe. Further details about the cause of the collision and the condition of those injured were awaited.
Gandhi arrived at Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in the morning, where hundreds of Congress workers and local party leaders gathered to welcome the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Raebareli MP.
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Oct 26, 2026 10:44 AM IST
Security tightened outside Jamia Millia Islamia
Security has been tightened outside Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi on Monday after the university ordered that student union elections be held within 15 days of approval of the union’s constitution. The university also revoked suspension and show-cause notices issued to students during the ongoing protest, according to an official order.
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Oct 26, 2026 10:36 AM IST
Mallikarjun Kharge hits back at Amit Shah’s ‘30 years’ remark
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday hit back at Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remark that the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi would not come to power for the next 30 years, questioning who would live that long and saying he was 85. Speaking in Patna, Bihar, Kharge accused Shah of misleading the public and alleged fraud involving electronic voting machines (EVMs), claiming that even people within Shah’s camp had acknowledged wrongdoing. These allegations were made by Kharge in response to Shah’s remarks.
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Oct 26, 2026 10:26 AM IST
Jamia agrees to hold union elections. Issues order on students’ key demands
Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) University on Monday agreed to hold students’ union elections once the union’s constitution receives official approval, ending a two-week student protest. This decision follows a meeting Sunday night between JMI officials and protesting students seeking the reinstatement of the union.
“The Jamia Millia Islamia Student’s Union Election will be held after 15 days, from the date of approval of the constitution of the student’s union of Jamia Millia Islamia,” the order issued by the registrar’s office states. However, the order does not set a fixed timeline for forming the constitution.
Oct 26, 2026 10:08 AM IST
Tamil Nadu Rain: Flash Flood in Theni’s Kottakudi River, Tourists Evacuated from Anaipillaiyar Falls
Heavy rain triggered a flash flood in the Kottakudi River in the Theni district of Tamil Nadu, prompting authorities to evacuate tourists from Anaipillaiyar Falls.
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Oct 26, 2026 09:35 AM IST
Chhattisgarh bus-truck accident: 3 killed, 8 injured in Balodabazar
Three people were killed and eight injured after a bus collided with a truck in Chhattisgarh’s Balodabazar-Bhatapara district, police said, according to news agency PTI. The injured were taken for medical treatment.
Oct 26, 2026 09:05 AM IST
Delhi: Two bodies recovered after under-construction house collapses in Harsh Vihar
Two bodies have been recovered after a slab of an under-construction house collapsed in northeast Delhi’s Harsh Vihar area on Sunday evening. Rescue teams, including personnel from the Delhi Fire Service and the National Disaster Response Force, were deployed to search the debris.
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Oct 26, 2026 09:05 AM IST
BJP announces nationwide protests over Mallikarjun Kharge’s remarks on PM Modi’s father
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced nationwide protests on Monday against what it described as “insulting, indecent and offensive” remarks made by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s late father. The BJP said demonstrations would be held at all its state headquarters, accusing Kharge of crossing the limits of political discourse with a personal attack on the Prime Minister’s family.
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