Related items

• Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Kumar Lallu detained yet again on way to meet deceased scribe’s family
  in National

  

  UPCC president Ajay Lallu, along with party workers, was detained in Rae Bareli on Tuesday while he was on his way to Ballia to meet the family of journalist Ratan Singh, who was shot dead on Monday

  Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) president Ajay Kumar Lallu, along with party workers, was detained in Rae Bareli on Tuesday while he was on his way to Ballia to meet the family of journalist Ratan Singh, who was shot dead on Monday night.

  The vehicles in which Lallu and other party workers were travelling were stopped by the police. After this, the Congress leaders began walking towards Ballia and were again detained in Salon by the police.This, according to Congress sources, is the 23rd time that Ajay Kumar Lallu has been prevented from reaching his destination by the state police. 

  Earlier this month, Lallu was detained while going to Bansgaon in Azamgarh to meet the family of a Dalit sarpanch who had been killed.In May this year, he was arrested in Agra and sent to jail for almost three weeks for 'misguiding the government on the issue of buses for migrants.'

   

  From streets to SC: Protests erupt acros…

  04-04-2025

  

  The Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 sparked large-scale protests across India, including Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Chennai, after it cleared Parliament. Leaders of AIMIM and Congress challenged its constitutionality in the Supreme...

  Read more

  'Dark chapter in federalism': MK Stalin …

  04-04-2025

  

  Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister MK Stalin declared the Centre's rejection of the state's Bill seeking NEET exemption a 'dark chapter in federalism.' The Bill, which aimed to base medical admissions...

  Read more

  India remains committed to people-centri…

  04-04-2025

  

  Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser of Bangladesh's interim government, at the Bimstec Summit in Bangkok. Modi raised concerns over minority safety in Bangladesh and urged a...

  Read more

  India-EU FTA: 'Hopeful deal will be fina…

  04-04-2025

  

  India is optimistic about finalizing the free trade agreement with the European Union by the end of this year. Comprehensive negotiations led by Prime Minister Modi and European Commission President...

  Read more

  AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi moves Supre…

  04-04-2025

  

  Read more

  Indian-origin politician from Germany ad…

  04-04-2025

  Read more

  'I am not in Tamil Nadu party leadership…

  04-04-2025

  

  Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai stated on Friday that the party's leader would be chosen unanimously, and clarified that he is not a contender. This announcement follows speculation about...

  Read more

  Waqf war reaches Supreme Court: After Co…

  04-04-2025

  

  Read more

  'Congress demanding clarity from Centre …

  04-04-2025

  

  Congress leaders, including Shashi Tharoor and Rahul Gandhi, have demanded clarity from the Indian government regarding its strategy for addressing the recent 26 percent reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US...

  Read more

  'PM should come give answer in House,' s…

  04-04-2025

  

  Amid Opposition uproar, Congress MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi address the issue of the U.S. imposing 26% reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods in...

  Read more

  ‘Which Congress-ruled state gave funds t…

  04-04-2025

  

  Read more

  'Rise in incidents of Hindu temples bein…

  04-04-2025

  

  The Ministry of External Affairs has expressed serious concerns over the increasing incidents of anti-India graffiti defacing Hindu temples in the US. Diplomatic channels are actively addressing these hate crimes...

  Read more

  Taj Mahal brings in Rs 297 crore in 5 ye…

  04-04-2025

  

  Read more

  ‘17 hours, zero disruptions’: Rijiju hai…

  04-04-2025

  

  Read more

  Waqf Bill sparks rift within JD(U) as fi…

  04-04-2025

  

  Not one or two but at least five leaders submitted their resignations as the bill was passed, first in Lok Sabha and then the Rajya Sabha on Thursday and Friday...

  Read more

  Sheikh Hasina's extradition raised durin…

  04-04-2025

  

  Read more

  Congress launches Manmohan Singh fellows…

  04-04-2025

  

  The Congress launched a fellowship program named after former PM Manmohan Singh, selecting 50 mid-career professionals annually for mentorship by senior party leaders. This full-time commitment focuses on building a...

  Read more

  'Extremely unfortunate': LS Speaker Om B…

  04-04-2025

  

  Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla criticised Sonia Gandhi's comments on the Waqf Amendment Bill, calling them "unfortunate" and undermining parliamentary democracy. Despite extensive discussions and proper procedures, Birla noted her...

  Read more

  Bangladesh chief adviser Muhammad Yunus …

  04-04-2025

  

  Read more

  PM Modi meets Bangladesh's Muhammad Yunu…

  04-04-2025

  

  Read more

   

• Cong Mulls Appointing 2 Vice-Prez to Assist Sonia Gandhi as Leaders Seek 'Active, Visible' Leadership
  in National

  

  For the past few days, a handful of Congress leaders have been preparing for the Congress Working Committee meeting.

  It’s to be a departure from recent past and instead of Zoom, it will now be using WebEx for video conferencing the meet to tide over the fear of hacking. The last time Sonia Gandhi met Rajya Sabha MPs, the incident left a bad experience. So this time, the Congress is taking no chances and the ID for the meeting will be given to the participants just before it begins.

  Ironically, the fear of leak or hacking is not from China, Pakistan or even the BJP. It’s from within the party as the Congress faces a crisis of leadership and voices that were silent or reticent till now have started becoming vocal. At such a time, the last thing the top Congress leadership would want is for their internal strife to be made public.

  However, the change in the means of conducting the meeting cannot put a lid on the crisis that the CWC could address. The biggest problem remains that of leadership. Most leaders in private and, some publicly, have complained that Congress has lost its steam; that it cannot fight the Modi juggernaut and the listlessness means soon Congress could be eased out of the national narrative. Apart from many leaving the party, those who stayed behind and are with the Congress often wonder what’s happening.

  Shashi Tharoor, Manish Tewari and Rajiv Satav are a few who have raised their voice against this.

  The problem before Sonia Gandhi remains the reluctance of Rahul Gandhi to take charge. When recently, a year-old interview of Priyanka Vadra to a book surfaced in which she said she agreed with her brother on a non-Gandhi Congress president, there were alarm bells in the party. The Congress officially made a statement to say the old interview was being used to push an agenda and party workers and leaders accept Rahul Gandhi as their leader.

  At the CWC, it’s quite possible more voices may come up asking for Rahul Gandhi to take charge as it’s clear that Sonia Gandhi wants to hand over the reins. But what if he remains adamant? There is a proposal in place which could be implemented.

  There could be appointment of more than two vice-presidents to assist Sonia Gandhi. This is to address the concern that Congress needs a full-time president. But such an appointment could also ensure that Gandhis remain in control and the party continues to be headed by one of them, in this case Sonia Gandhi. Names which are doing the rounds are of Ghulam Nabi Azad, P Chidambaram and Mallikarjun Kharge, but it’s quite possible that young leaders could be propped up.

  This apart, many new faces could be brought in for key posts and most of them are perceived to be close to Rahul Gandhi. Sushmita Dev and Manickam Tagore are some names doing the rounds.

  It would also be interesting to see whether Sachin Pilot is brought to the centre. While Pilot has made it clear that he sees Rajasthan as his ‘karam bhumi’ and CM Ashok Gehlot doesn’t want to leave the state yet, the Congress leadership could bring in Pilot to buy time till the committee submits its report.

  The caveat for all this is, of course, that the Congress needs to have the urge to solve this turmoil. For now, the restlessness becomes tough to ignore. Some like Jitin Prasada have formed a Brahmin Samaj and this is to capitalise on the 12% Brahmin vote bank which his party doesn’t seem to be concentrating on. Clearly, he wants to ensure that his politics stays alive.

  Few others who don’t want to leave the Congress are looking at ways to stay relevant. But the list of disillusioned leaders is long and growing, and many of these have at one point been influential or important in the scheme of things such as Milind Deora, Veerappa Moily, Anand Sharma, Ashwini Kumar, Salman Khurshid.

  Some chose to leave the party, like Jyotiraditya Scindia, some fought back and continue to do so like Sachin Pilot. But as new leaders are being propped up and Rahul Gandhi has his favourites, many feel left out and yet, want to stay in the party. The CWC brings some hope to them that things could change. But will the Congress and CWC once again shy away from taking a decision?

   

  From streets to SC: Protests erupt acros…

  04-04-2025

  

  The Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 sparked large-scale protests across India, including Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Chennai, after it cleared Parliament. Leaders of AIMIM and Congress challenged its constitutionality in the Supreme...

  Read more

  'Dark chapter in federalism': MK Stalin …

  04-04-2025

  

  Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister MK Stalin declared the Centre's rejection of the state's Bill seeking NEET exemption a 'dark chapter in federalism.' The Bill, which aimed to base medical admissions...

  Read more

  India remains committed to people-centri…

  04-04-2025

  

  Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser of Bangladesh's interim government, at the Bimstec Summit in Bangkok. Modi raised concerns over minority safety in Bangladesh and urged a...

  Read more

  India-EU FTA: 'Hopeful deal will be fina…

  04-04-2025

  

  India is optimistic about finalizing the free trade agreement with the European Union by the end of this year. Comprehensive negotiations led by Prime Minister Modi and European Commission President...

  Read more

  AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi moves Supre…

  04-04-2025

  

  Read more

  Indian-origin politician from Germany ad…

  04-04-2025

  Read more

  'I am not in Tamil Nadu party leadership…

  04-04-2025

  

  Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai stated on Friday that the party's leader would be chosen unanimously, and clarified that he is not a contender. This announcement follows speculation about...

  Read more

  Waqf war reaches Supreme Court: After Co…

  04-04-2025

  

  Read more

  'Congress demanding clarity from Centre …

  04-04-2025

  

  Congress leaders, including Shashi Tharoor and Rahul Gandhi, have demanded clarity from the Indian government regarding its strategy for addressing the recent 26 percent reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US...

  Read more

  'PM should come give answer in House,' s…

  04-04-2025

  

  Amid Opposition uproar, Congress MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi address the issue of the U.S. imposing 26% reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods in...

  Read more

  ‘Which Congress-ruled state gave funds t…

  04-04-2025

  

  Read more

  'Rise in incidents of Hindu temples bein…

  04-04-2025

  

  The Ministry of External Affairs has expressed serious concerns over the increasing incidents of anti-India graffiti defacing Hindu temples in the US. Diplomatic channels are actively addressing these hate crimes...

  Read more

  Taj Mahal brings in Rs 297 crore in 5 ye…

  04-04-2025

  

  Read more

  ‘17 hours, zero disruptions’: Rijiju hai…

  04-04-2025

  

  Read more

  Waqf Bill sparks rift within JD(U) as fi…

  04-04-2025

  

  Not one or two but at least five leaders submitted their resignations as the bill was passed, first in Lok Sabha and then the Rajya Sabha on Thursday and Friday...

  Read more

  Sheikh Hasina's extradition raised durin…

  04-04-2025

  

  Read more

  Congress launches Manmohan Singh fellows…

  04-04-2025

  

  The Congress launched a fellowship program named after former PM Manmohan Singh, selecting 50 mid-career professionals annually for mentorship by senior party leaders. This full-time commitment focuses on building a...

  Read more

  'Extremely unfortunate': LS Speaker Om B…

  04-04-2025

  

  Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla criticised Sonia Gandhi's comments on the Waqf Amendment Bill, calling them "unfortunate" and undermining parliamentary democracy. Despite extensive discussions and proper procedures, Birla noted her...

  Read more

  Bangladesh chief adviser Muhammad Yunus …

  04-04-2025

  

  Read more

  PM Modi meets Bangladesh's Muhammad Yunu…

  04-04-2025

  

  Read more
• No Pilots For Rafale Jets – Why Is The Indian Air Force Facing An Acute Shortage Of Trained Pilots?
  in International

  

  As India is in the process of overhauling its airforce with the latest Rafale jets and additional MiG-29 and SU-30 MKIs, an RTI (Request To Information) filed by India Today

   reveals that in that last 10 years, 798 Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots have resigned and 289 of these pilots were given No-objection Certificates (NOC) to fly private airlines.

  New Delhi has been upgrading the military equipment and even purchasing modern combat aircraft to strengthen the IAF. The newly acquired Rafale jets are ready to be inducted in a high profile ceremony in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French defense minister Florence Parly at the air force station in Ambala where the first five aircraft have been stationed. 

  However, in 2016 and 2017, IAF saw the worst years when 100 and 114 pilots respectively quit the IAF. In 2015, only 37 pilots had quit before superannuation. With an average of 80 pilots quitting the IAF every year, it could be facing an acute shortage of pilots.On February 1, 2018, the government informed the Rajya Sabha that the IAF had 3,855 pilots against a sanctioned strength of 4,231. There was a shortage of 376 pilots which reflects poorly on the preparedness of the IAF. 

  Of the pilots that quit, more than one-third of them received the NOC to fly private airlines. As per reports, a middle rung pilot earns up to Rs 2 lakh ($2700) in salary per month and can get four times the amount flying with a private airline.Most pilots quit after 20 years of service which makes them eligible for a pension.

  “The IAF way of life is very good and apart from the salary, there are several intangible benefits. But my workload is far less as a private airlines pilot and there’s nothing to complain about the remuneration. As captain, I am responsible for everything after the aircraft door closes and once it opens, my job is over,” said an IAF officer who recently quit service and took up a job in a private airline and didn’t wish to be named.

  HT reported in February this year, that IAF is working on measures to prevent its pilots from leaving the service and joining private airlines that offer better salaries and perquisites. Even though the report didn’t mention any specific measure, it said that they will be made shortly, and could involve cooling-off periods and changes in pension plans.

  

  The RTI also asked about if such changes are being introduced. “Has the Indian Air Force evolved or is working on any policy to stop their pilots from quitting and joining private airlines. If yes, what is that?” In response to the query in the RTI, IAF said that there exists no such plans or policies. 

  Experts have said that it is important for the IAF to retain its pilots. “A pilot gets into operational flying after training for almost 250 to 300 hours in different aircraft. That costs a lot of money. You cannot afford to let trained people go. Other global air forces are also struggling with the same issues,” said Air Marshal KK Nohwar (retd), director-general, Centre for Air Power Studies.

   

   

  Donald Trump's Reciprocal Tariffs: Did S…

  04-04-2025

  

  On April 2, 2025, Donald Trump announced sweeping "reciprocal tariffs" on over 60 countries, triggering a wave of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace memes that turned satire into prophecy. Internet...

  Read more

  A 'squeaky' feat: Rat breaks world recor…

  04-04-2025

  

  A rat named Ronin has set a new record by detecting over 100 landmines in Cambodia since August 2021, surpassing the previous record held by Magawa. Trained by Belgian organization...

  Read more

  ​'He's a good kid': Father of Austin Met…

  04-04-2025

  

  Karmelo Anthony, 17, has been charged with first-degree murder for the stabbing of Austin Metcalf. Karmelo's father claims his son is being misrepresented and was provoked. Jeff Metcalf, Austin's father...

  Read more

  India-EU FTA: 'Hopeful deal will be fina…

  04-04-2025

  

  India is optimistic about finalizing the free trade agreement with the European Union by the end of this year. Comprehensive negotiations led by Prime Minister Modi and European Commission President...

  Read more

  UK spy agency MI5 reveals fruity secrets…

  04-04-2025

  

  MI5 is for the first time revealing some of its secrets in a London show, featuring double agent confessions and spy gadgets. The exhibition highlights key events like Karl Muller's...

  Read more

  China escalates trade war, imposes 34% d…

  04-04-2025

  

  China will impose a 34% tariff on US imports from April 10, mirroring the US President's recent tariffs on Chinese goods. Additionally, China plans to strengthen export restrictions on rare...

  Read more

  Martial law fallout: President Yoon Suk …

  04-04-2025

  

  Read more

  'They laugh at us': Why Trump’s 1987 int…

  04-04-2025

  

  Read more

  Pakistan: Militants make March deadliest…

  04-04-2025

  

  In March, Pakistan experienced its deadliest month in over a decade with 335 fatalities due to attacks by Islamist militants and separatist rebels. The Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation...

  Read more

  Indian origin Catholic priest killed at …

  04-04-2025

  

  An Indian-origin Catholic priest, Fr. Arul Carasala, was shot and killed in Seneca, Kansas. Archbishop Joseph Naumann expressed sadness over this senseless violence, highlighting Carasala’s two-decade-long service. Gary L Hermesch...

  Read more

  Crops under threat as surprise March hea…

  04-04-2025

  

  A surprise heatwave hit Central Asia in March, a new study published Friday showed, putting in danger crops and water supply in a largely rural region already heavily affected by...

  Read more

  Israel kills Hamas commander in Lebanon …

  04-04-2025

  

  Israel conducted a pre-dawn strike in Sidon, Lebanon, killing Hamas commander Hassan Farhat, his son, and daughter. Lebanese leaders condemned the attack as a breach of sovereignty and ceasefire. The...

  Read more

  ‘Penguins gotta pay too’: Social media h…

  04-04-2025

  

  In an unexpected move, President Trump imposed a 10% tariff on US trading partners, amusingly including the uninhabited Heard and McDonald Islands of Australia. This decision sparked online satire and...

  Read more

  'Tears, cheers, and rage': South Koreans…

  04-04-2025

  

  'Tears, cheers, and rage': South Koreans flood streets after Yoon's ouster

  Read more

  Who is Timothy Haugh? The NSA chief fire…

  04-04-2025

  

  General Timothy D. Haugh has been removed from his roles as director of the NSA and commander of US Cyber Command by the Trump administration, sparking concern and criticism from...

  Read more

  'I am truly sorry': South Korea's Yoon a…

  04-04-2025

  

  South Korea’s Constitutional Court upheld President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, officially removing him from office for declaring martial law. The court found Yoon's actions violated the constitution. His removal ignited...

  Read more

  What led the removal of impeached South …

  04-04-2025

  

  Read more

  EU to impose major penalties on Musk’s X…

  04-04-2025

  

  The EU is poised to levy significant penalties on Elon Musk's social media platform X for violating the Digital Services Act, including a potential $1 billion fine. This marks the...

  Read more

  'Murderer': Protests erupt in Bangkok as…

  03-04-2025

  

  Myanmar's junta leader Min Aung Hlaing faces protests at a regional summit in Bangkok, as his country reels from a deadly 7.7-magnitude earthquake. Despite international aid efforts, the military's response...

  Read more

  Japan PM calls Trump’s tariffs 'national…

  03-04-2025

  

  Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba deems US President Donald Trump's tariffs on Japanese goods a national crisis. Ishiba has called for cross-party discussions to mitigate the tariffs' impact on Japan's...

  Read more
• Turkey Signs Another Contract With Russia For S-400 Missile Defense Systems
  in International

  

  Turkey has again signed a contract with Russia to acquire additional S-400 surface-to-air missile systems from Moscow, the Russian news agency TASS reported.

  This would be a second deal between Moscow and Ankara for the S-400 missile systems. Turkey has already received two batteries of the S-400s worth $2.5 billion, a deal which was inked in April 2017.

  Speaking to reporters, the Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport chief Alexander Mikheyev said “The contract has been signed”, and stated that the parties shall now discuss the financial terms of the contract.

  He further said that the timeframe of implementing the contract would depend “on our partners’ readiness to finally resolve the procedural issues with the financing of this project”.

  Turkey, being the first NATO member country to have received the S-400 air defense system, has damaged its reputation among NATO members and severely strained ties with Washington.

  Due to the deal, Washington kicked-out Turkey out from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program – which means it won’t be getting any American 5th generation fighters and could instead look at Russian Su-35 jets.Instead of trying to resolve matters with the United States, Erdogan has pushed forward for a second deal for the S-400.

  Past talks between Turkey and the U.S. on the acquisition of the Patriot air defense system had fallen over a large group of issues, from the accessibility of S-400s to Ankara’s disappointment with Washington’s terms and conditions.Turkey has said it will possibly consent to an offer if it incorporates terms for indigenous production and transfer of technology.

  Ankara has more than once emphasized that it was the U.S.’ refusal to sell it Patriots that drove it to search out different vendors, adding that Russia offered a superior deal, including the transfer of technology.  Turkey even proposed setting up a commission to explain any specialized issues, yet the U.S. has so far not reacted to this proposition.According to TASS, the S-400 ‘Triumf’ is the most advanced long-range air defense missile system that went into service in Russia in 2007. It is designed to destroy aircraft, cruise, and ballistic missiles, including medium-range weapons, and can also be used against ground installations. The S-400 can engage targets at a distance of 400 km and at an altitude of up to 30 km.

   

• Assam: KMSS To Launch Politcal Party, Akhil Gogoi To Be Chief Minister Candidate
  in Election News

  

  Guwahati: Peasant body Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) on Saturday announced that it will launch a political party to fight the Assam assembly election in 2021 and its jailed leader Akhil Gogoi will be its chief ministerial candidate.

  Addressing a press conference here, the KMSS leadership said the proposed party’s name will be announced by Gogoi once he is released from jail.

  “We have prepared ourselves to form a new political party. It will be a regional party. People from all tribes, castes, communities, religions and languages will be a part of this party,” KMSS president Bhasco De Saikia said.

  The new outfit will be a non-compromising political force and it will not be named after KMSS’s earlier venture Gana Mukti Sangram-Asom.

  “Because of our non-compromising position, Akhil Gogoi is still inside the jail. By October, we hope he will be released. He will announce the name of the party after coming out of jail. The name of the party has been finalised already,” Saikia said. 

  Gogoi is lodged in Guwahati central jail and is being probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for his alleged role in protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) late in 2019. The special NIA court earlier this month rejected his bail plea.

  Asked if Gogoi, who is the adviser of KMSS, will fight the polls, he replied in the affirmative.

  “Yes Akhil Gogoi will fight the polls in 2021. He will be our CM candidate,” Saikia said. “We are at present fighting for Akhil Gogoi’s release. Responding to our appeals, the people of Assam have come forward and contributed large amounts to carry forward the legal battle,” Saikia said.

  Elaborating on the proposed party, he said all intellectual preparation for the new party is ready as is its constitution.

  “The work agenda will be known as Asombasir Jatiya Karmahuchi and it will be the basis of the future modern Assamese society. We will send the constitution and the agenda to all district committees and our sister organisations. Then we will make these public and seek the peoples’ opinion on them,” he said.

  The KMSS leader said the proposed political party will fight against all forms of communal forces and appealed to regional forces to come forward and join hands to defeat the ruling BJP and its allies.

  “Our goal is to create a politically federal, economically self reliant, socially and culturally inclusive, and mentally scientific Assam. The KMSS will remain as an independent organisation like today and the political party will be separate,” Saikia said.

  Asked if KMSS has spoken to opposition parties in the state and All Assam Students’ Union, which too is foraying into politics, Saikia said “We have not talked to Congress or AASU yet. We all have to unite. The need of the hour is to join hands.”

  About the number of constituencies that the new front will contest, Saikia said it is being worked out and will be announced later.

  The KMSS leaders, the AASU and Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chhatra Parishad (AJYCP) have been separately making public statements about forming new regional political parties since the protests against the CAA in December 2019.

  On August 19 student and youth bodies AASU and AJYCP set up an 18-member committee of prominent personalities to suggest the two organisation’s future course of action, a step towards their much-talked about political entry ahead of state Assembly polls.

  Senior journalist and Rajya Sabha member Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, who was supported by opposition parties Congress and AIUDF, too recently floated a new regional entity ‘Anchalik Gana Morcha’ to fight the assembly election slated for March-April in 2021.

  Former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi had announced that Congress is working on to form a ‘Grand Alliance’ of non-BJP parties, including the AIUDF, Left and AGM, to oust the ruling party in the assembly elections and kept doors open for any new parties.

  The election to the 126-member Assam assembly in 2016 had given a fractured mandate and no party got the absolute majority in the current House. The ruling BJP is in the government with support from the AGP and BPF along with one Independent MLA.