India News Highlights, 04 November 2026: Rahul Gandhi alleges Punjab CM Mann smelled of alcohol in Parliament
Accusing the AAP government of failing to curb drug abuse, Gandhi said ‘chitta’ (adulterated heroin) remained a major problem in Punjab.
· The Indian Express · JoinCongress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), accusing the government of failing to tackle the drug menace and alleging that the state was being run from Delhi. Addressing the Congress’s ‘Insaaf Rally’ in Sangrur, Gandhi claimed that Mann used to smell of alcohol when they were together in Parliament.
“In Lok Sabha, he (Mann) used to crack jokes sitting with us. At 11 am, he used to smell of alcohol. I am not saying Bhagwant Mann should not consume alcohol; it is his personal matter. But if you want to fight drugs, the chief minister can’t get intoxicated every evening,” the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.
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Accusing the AAP government of failing to curb drug abuse, Gandhi said ‘chitta’ (adulterated heroin) remained a major problem in Punjab.
“People need a government that works for Punjab. Not like AAP, which is run from Delhi,” he said. The rally marked the launch of the Congress’s campaign ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
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2-year extension for Agniveer military recruits after completing 4-year term
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Two scrap collectors charred to death in Srinagar shantytown fire
Two scrap collectors, including a 16-year-old boy, were charred to death after a fire broke out at a shantytown in Srinagar’s Durbal locality early Wednesday. The fire, which started around 12.23 am, destroyed nearly 80 temporary shelters made of wood and tarpaulin in the Bemina area. An empty poultry farm and a truck were also damaged. The victims were residents of Delhi and worked as scrap collectors. Their bodies were recovered from the debris after firefighters brought the blaze under control.
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Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘Very Poor’ category on Wednesday morning, with the overall AQI rising from 350 on Tuesday evening to 369 at 6 am. Mandir Marg recorded a ‘Severe’ AQI of 508. After a brief improvement following last week’s rain and winds, pollution levels have been rising again. The IITM has warned of serious health effects and forecast that Delhi’s AQI will remain ‘Very Poor’ on Thursday, at around 343. The city recorded a morning temperature of 17.2 degrees Celsius.
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Nov 4, 2026 05:52 PM IST
Rahul Gandhi alleges Punjab CM Mann smelled of alcohol in Parliament
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), accusing the government of failing to tackle the drug menace and alleging that the state was being run from Delhi.
Addressing the Congress's ‘Insaaf Rally’ in Sangrur, Gandhi claimed that Mann used to smell of alcohol when they were together in Parliament.
“In Lok Sabha, he (Mann) used to crack jokes sitting with us. At 11 am, he used to smell of alcohol. I am not saying Bhagwant Mann should not consume alcohol; it is his personal matter. But if you want to fight drugs, the chief minister can’t get intoxicated every evening,” the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.
Accusing the AAP government of failing to curb drug abuse, Gandhi said ‘chitta’ (adulterated heroin) remained a major problem in Punjab.
“People need a government that works for Punjab. Not like AAP, which is run from Delhi,” he said. The rally marked the launch of the Congress's campaign ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
-Inputs from PTI
Nov 4, 2026 04:02 PM IST
Punjab run from Delhi, says Rahul Gandhi at Sangrur rally
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched an attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, alleging that the state was being run from Delhi and accusing it of failing to address the drug menace. Addressing the Congress's 'Insaaf Rally' in Sangrur, Gandhi described 'chitta' (adulterated heroin) as a major problem in Punjab.
"Many years back, I had said that drugs are spreading in Punjab. The BJP and the Akali Dal at that time said Rahul Gandhi does not know anything about Punjab, downplaying the drug menace," he said. "People need a government that works for Punjab. Not like AAP, which is run from Delhi," Gandhi said.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party's Punjab in-charge Sachin Pilot, state Congress president Pargat Singh and senior leaders Partap Bajwa, Vijay Inder Singla, Charanjit Singh Channi, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring were also present at the rally.
-Inputs from PTI
Nov 4, 2026 03:05 PM IST
2-year extension for Agniveer military recruits after completing 4-year term
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) on Wednesday announced a two-year extension of service under the Agnipath scheme for Agniveers who were due to exit the armed forces.
The decision, approved by the Cabinet, creates a pathway for all Agniveers to continue serving in the armed forces, the CDS said.
Agniveers granted the extension will receive enhanced emoluments during the additional tenure. Those completing the extended two-year tenure may also be offered permanent positions in the armed forces, depending on an assessment of their performance, the CDS said.
Nov 4, 2026 01:03 PM IST
Mumbai civic body clears bus plot day after Supreme Court freezes chief’s pay
A day after the Supreme Court froze Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide’s salary for non-compliance, BMC today demolished 27 commercial structures on a 3,400-square-metre plot in Borivali East reserved for a BEST bus station.
Around 70 BMC workers carried out the drive on Swami Vivekanand Road, with police deployed for security.
On Tuesday, a three-judge bench issued a contempt notice to Bhide for failing to clear the encroachments, froze her November salary along with that of other officials concerned, refused the civic body’s plea for 30 more days and imposed costs of Rs 5 lakh. The plot has been at the centre of a long legal battle between the BMC and a private developer, whom the court had directed in August 2025 to hand it over, free of encroachments, along with an administrative building.
Nov 4, 2026 12:46 PM IST
Congress MP defends viral slap on party colleague Dhanorkar as joke
Congress MP Shyamkumar Barve has dismissed a viral video showing him lightly slapping party colleague Pratibha Dhanorkar as a joke between colleagues.
The clip was shot inside a stationary bus on November 1 during the Opposition’s rally against the Election Commission in Delhi. Barve said Dhanorkar is like a younger sister to him and claimed the video was being circulated to discredit the protest, adding that the full 10-minute footage is on the party’s own social media handles.
He also called an alleged complaint email from Nagpur Congress workers "fake." Dhanorkar too played down the incident, saying she and other women leaders were teasing Barve about his marital status when he playfully slapped her.
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Nov 4, 2026 12:35 PM IST
Karnataka bus fares to go up; Minister points to neighbouring states
Karnataka Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh defended the state’s decision to raise bus fares, saying other states had already done the same. “Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra governments have also increased bus fares, so we are also hiking,” he said.
Nov 4, 2026 12:17 PM IST
Former Sena (UBT) MLA Santosh Tarfe joins Shinde’s Shiv Sena
Former Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Dr Santosh Tarfe left the Shiv Sena (UBT) and joined the ruling Shiv Sena in Thane. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the party, welcomed him.
Shinde said Tarfe’s leadership would help push development work for the tribal community.
Several other Sena (UBT) office-bearers and local leaders from Hingoli joined along with him, the party said in a release.
Shinde also assured the new entrants that the government would back pending development projects, basic infrastructure and the empowerment of tribal communities in the region.
Nov 4, 2026 12:05 PM IST
Odisha landslide: Search called off, 10 still missing
The search at Odisha's Gidipabali has been halted because of rain and about 30 feet of debris. Ten people remain missing and their families are preparing for the last rites. Officials plan one final attempt once the weather clears.
Nov 4, 2026 11:11 AM IST
Raj Thackeray cancels MNS’ annual Dipotsav in Mumbai citing drought in Maharashtra
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray announced today that the party will not organise its annual Dipotsav celebration at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park this year due to the severe drought affecting the state.
In a video message, Thackeray said it would be inappropriate to celebrate lavishly when farmers in rural Maharashtra are facing financial difficulties and many people are migrating to cities due to the drought. He also appealed to people to celebrate Diwali responsibly and avoid extravagance.
The Maharashtra government has declared 85% of the state drought-hit following deficient rainfall and announced an interim assistance of Rs 5,000 for farmers ahead of Diwali. Thackeray said the MNS would resume the Dipotsav next year if the situation improves.
Nov 4, 2026 10:29 AM IST
Two passengers held at Mumbai airport with gold dust worth dacrore
Two passengers arriving from Bahrain were caught smuggling 1.68 kg of gold dust worth around Rs 2.09 crore at Mumbai airport, Customs officials said.
The Customs Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) intercepted the passengers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Tuesday. A search revealed that the gold dust, concealed in wax form, had been hidden inside their undergarments. The gold was verified by a government-approved valuer and seized under the Customs Act. (PTI)
Nov 4, 2026 10:24 AM IST
Tamil Nadu CM to felicitate top-performing Class 10, 12 students in Chennai today
Tamil Nadu chief minister Joseph Vijay will felicitate top performing class 10 and 12 students from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry at an award ceremony in Chennai today. The first phase of the event will cover students from 30 assembly constituencies across 5 districts in Ariyalur, Cuddalore, Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai and Villuppuram. The ceremony will be held at the R K Convention Centre in Neelankarai from 2 pm, where Vijay will distribute certificates and financial incentives to meritorious students in the presence of their parents.
Nov 4, 2026 10:17 AM IST
BJP to hold ‘Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy’ marches across states today
The BJP will hold ‘Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao’ (Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy) marches and rallies across several states today as part of its campaign against what it calls attempts by opposition parties to create political instability and undermine democratic institutions.
Union Minister J P Nadda will lead a march in Bhopal, while BJP president Nitin Nabin and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will participate in a rally in Gorakhpur.
In Delhi, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra will join a similar march in East Delhi.
The ABVP will also organise a student rally at Delhi University, with over 15,000 students expected to participate.
The campaign comes amid a political confrontation between the BJP and opposition parties over allegations of electoral irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Nov 4, 2026 10:07 AM IST
Senior NC leader Ghulam Qadir Pardesi dies at 88
Senior National Conference leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council member Sheikh Ghulam Qadir Pardesi died in Srinagar on Tuesday night after a prolonged illness. He was 88. Pardesi is survived by his wife, four daughters and son Ahsan Pardesi, the NC MLA from Lal Chowk. His funeral prayers will be held at 11 am today. His burial is at the family graveyard in Batwara. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condoled his death, expressing condolences to Ahsan Pardesi and praying for the departed leader's soul. Abdullah described him as a senior party leader and former member of the Legislative Council. (PTI)
Nov 4, 2026 09:51 AM IST
Pune constable, drunk, rams car into police chief’s Bungalow gate
A Pune police constable, drunk and drove his car into the gate of Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar’s official residence in the Cantonment area on Tuesday evening. He was detained, officials said today.
Kumar told PTI the constable has a record of disciplinary problems and several earlier offences. He was suspended in 2025 and reinstated in 2026. Police said the man is also suffering from mental health issues. He is currently in custody.
Nov 4, 2026 09:45 AM IST
Jammu and Kashmir's Durbal fire
Two scrap collectors, including a 16-year-old boy, were charred to death after a fire broke out at a shantytown in Srinagar’s Durbal locality early Wednesday. The fire, which started around 12.23 am, destroyed nearly 80 temporary shelters made of wood and tarpaulin in the Bemina area. An empty poultry farm and a truck were also damaged. The victims were residents of Delhi and worked as scrap collectors. Their bodies were recovered from the debris after firefighters brought the blaze under control. (PTI)
Nov 4, 2026 09:44 AM IST
Delhi air quality today
Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘Very Poor’ category on Wednesday morning, with the overall AQI rising from 350 on Tuesday evening to 369 at 6 am. Mandir Marg recorded a ‘Severe’ AQI of 508.
After a brief improvement following last week’s rain and winds, pollution levels have been rising again.
The IITM has warned of serious health effects and forecast that Delhi’s AQI will remain ‘Very Poor’ on Thursday, at around 343.
The city recorded a morning temperature of 17.2 degrees Celsius. Read Here
Nov 4, 2026 09:43 AM IST
FIR registered against Prashant Bhushan over sharing doctored video of Russian foreign minister
Delhi Police has registered an FIR against senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan for sharing a digitally manipulated video of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on X. The case was registered by the Special Cell on November 3 after cyber patrolling flagged the video, which contained misleading remarks critical of India’s internal affairs and oil purchases. The FIR has been filed under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.
The Ministry of External Affairs fact-checked the clip and confirmed that it was fabricated. Police are investigating the video’s circulation on social media.
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