Panchayat elections

The United Democratic Front (UDF) celebrated a triumphant return to power after a decade, marked by jubilant scenes at Indira Bhavan. Opposition leader V D Satheesan was hailed for orchestrating the comeback, as jubilant workers celebrated the perceived rejection of the LDF government's policies and the end of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's "arrogance.

BJP reaffirmed its dominance in Gujarat by sweeping all 15 municipal corporations and most local bodies. While the saffron party secured a strong mandate, opposition parties Congress and AAP registered key wins in rural areas, with AAP wresting a district panchayat and Congress reclaiming a BJP stronghold.

Opposition leader Tikaram Jully criticized Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma's silence on delimitation, calling it a sensitive issue impacting Rajasthan's democratic future and seat allocation. He urged an all-party meeting for discussion. Meanwhile, former CM Ashok Gehlot highlighted Congress's contributions to women in leadership, while OBC workers protested the Women's Reservation Bill's lack of quota and delayed caste census.

Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot has appealed to the President and Governor to intervene, citing constitutional violations due to delayed panchayat and urban local body elections. He criticized the government for not adhering to constitutional mandates for timely polls, even after court directives and deadlines.

A local official, D C Brahmankachh, was tragically found dead on railway tracks near Umargam station. Preliminary investigations suggest he may have jumped in front of a train after a late night of election-related proceedings.