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The Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir conducted its first assembly elections in a decade. It showcased the peaceful embrace of democracy by its people last week after decades of militancy. These polls were held after the bifurcation of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh on August 5, 2019, following the revocation of Article 370. The BJP claimed that the move was necessary to tackle separatism, enhance economic development and fully integrate the region into the country.

S Jaishankar's tenure so far as External Affairs Minister reminds many of us of our fears and failure to do something with our lives. Imagine a Foreign Minister of India and he hasn’t done anything of import to solve the India-Pakistan jigsaw. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tutelage, EAM S. Jaishankar has been mostly preparing the ground for Modi to carry forward his "foreign" agenda. There is no denying that Modi is India’s “Super EAM” and S. Jaishankar, with all his foreign policy wonk experience, did not get the chance to repair India’s ties with Pakistan.

Electoral battles in J&K and Haryana had been really tough for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister of Home Amit Shah and the BJP, but the coming months will be politically even more challenging for them in another three sates – Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Delhi. INDIA bloc Maharashtra and Jharkhand have lately been emerging stronger than expected, while AAP in Delhi is now in very upbeat mood especially after its leader Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia were released on bail granted by Supreme Court of India with very harsh comment against the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which has unmasked Modi-Shah duo in public eye.

The past one year has shown once again that the global community is least bothered by the human dimension, i.e. the loss of human lives of any military conflict. Further the greed to earn huge profits by arms industry is also overlooked, as it supports the economy of many of these countries.

Senior Congress leader Ravinder Sharma, a lawyer by training, and a politician by choice, has strongly criticised the powers given to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to nominate five MLAs in Jammu & Kashmir. This will effectively raise the numbers in the legislature to 95 as elections to 90 single member territorial assembly segments were concluded on October 1 evening. These nominated MLAs will have all legislative powers, including the right to vote, in all proceedings of the House.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s decision to remove the controversial Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Law and Order, M. R. Ajit Kumar from the top law enforcement post has taken the wind out of the sails of both the Opposition and Nilambur MLA PV Anvar who has launched a new political movement. ADGP, Intelligence, Manoj Abraham will replace Ajit Kumar.

JAMMU: In something that is happening for the first time in its electoral history, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will soon nominate five members to the Legislative Assembly of Jammu & Kashmir. These nominated MLAs will have voting rights and can play an equal role as their elected counterparts in the formation of the government. The elections for 90 assembly seats were held in three phases and the results will be declared on October 8. Mr Sinha is likely to make the nominations immediately after the results are declared on the recommendations of the Union Home Ministry.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will be in Prayagraj on October 6 with the stage set for the next explosive episode of ‘Hindu-Muslim’. Prayagraj is anticipating a monstrous ‘Maha Kumbh’ in 2025 and preparations are in swing. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will announce the dates for the major “baths”, which is what the ‘Kumbh Mela’ has been all about for centuries.

Is Nitin Gadkari trying to send a message to the BJP central leadership ahead of the Maharashtra elections? The Union Minister of transport and highways skipped Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Wardha on September 20 to launch the Acharya Chanakya Skill Development scheme and to mark the first anniversary of the PM Vishwakarma Yojana. Gadkari also stayed away from the BJP’s pre-election review in Nagpur last month which was attended by Union Home minister Amit Shah.

The ongoing escalation of conflict in the Middle East has sent crude oil prices surging by more than 5% within a week, hitting around $77 per barrel. This spike has raised alarm among major oil-consuming nations, particularly as the region, long a critical oil hub, continues to witness deepening tensions. The conflict, which has brought global attention to the oil markets, underscores the delicate balance between geopolitical instability and energy supply. However, while the price surge has drawn headlines, many analysts remain unconvinced that this upward trend will persist over the long term, given the current market dynamics.