Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman countered Rahul Gandhi's criticism of public sector banks, asserting a «remarkable turnaround» under PM Modi. She refuted allegations of favoritism towards corporations, citing improved recruitment and denied a «toxic work environment.» Sitharaman accused the previous UPA government of cronyism and «phone banking» coercion.

The INDIA bloc has initiated a move to remove Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar from his position as Rajya Sabha chairman, accusing him of bias towards the ruling party and stifling the opposition's voice. They allege his conduct is unbecoming of his office and violates constitutional principles. Dhankhar, backed by the BJP, dismissed the accusations and demanded an apology from the opposition.

Parliament is scheduled to discuss the Indian Constitution on its 75th anniversary, but political sparring is expected. The opposition, led by Rahul Gandhi, aims to raise issues like the Adani controversy and caste census, while the BJP plans to target Congress's alleged links to George Soros and past actions.

India aims to launch its deep-sea mission and send its first citizen to space by late 2024 or 2026. A crewed submersible, Matsya 6000, will explore the seabed at 6,000 meters, while Gaganyaan's uncrewed mission is slated for early next year. India also plans a space station by 2035 and a lunar landing by 2040.

India's nuclear power capacity has doubled in the last decade, reaching 8,081 MW, and is projected to triple to 22,480 MW by 2031-32. Nine atomic power projects are under construction, with more in the pipeline. A revised power distribution framework ensures a larger share for home states.

Veteran actor-director Balachandra Menon, accused of outraging a woman's modesty, has been granted anticipatory bail by the Kerala High Court. The court acknowledged the 17-year delay in filing the complaint and emphasized that men also possess pride and dignity. Menon is required to cooperate with the investigation and appear before the investigating officer within two weeks.

Tibetan acting president Dolma Gyari asserts that resolving the 'Akhand Tibet' issue is crucial for peaceful Sino-Indian border resolution. She advocates for recognizing a unified, independent Tibet, citing the 1914 Shimla Accord. Gyari believes Arunachal Pradesh is integral to India and expresses confidence in Prime Minister Modi's leadership on the Tibet issue.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah pledged to reinstate the Darbar Move, emphasizing its symbolic significance for regional unity and equitable governance. He addressed concerns about regional bias, highlighting his inclusive approach and plans to boost Jammu's economy, particularly its tourism sector, by leveraging the Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage.

US hotels and travel companies are targeting a surge in Indian tourists as domestic and East Asian travel slows. Nearly 1.9 million Indians visited the US in the first ten months of 2024, a 48% jump from 2019, filling the gap and boosting revenue for the struggling tourism sector.

Former President Ram Nath Kovind advocated for 'One Nation, One Election,' highlighting its potential to boost India's GDP by 1-1.5%. He emphasised the need for consensus-building, positioning the initiative as beneficial for the nation. The Union Cabinet approved the proposal in September, aiming for simultaneous elections within a 100-day timeframe.

The central agency stated that the arrest was made on Tuesday. The advocate had initially sought a bribe of Rs 2.5 lakh, which was later negotiated down to Rs 1.80 lakh, in exchange for deferring the possession of a mortgaged property under the SARFAESI Act. The accused was caught red-handed during a trap laid by the CBI at his office.

Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash tragically died by suicide, alleging harassment by his estranged wife and her family. BJP MPs called for legal reforms and a thorough investigation, highlighting concerns about potential misuse of family laws. Subhash's note detailed years of alleged harassment and extortion demands, prompting calls for justice.

INDIA bloc leaders criticized Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, accusing him of partisan behavior and disrupting proceedings. They likened the Parliament to a «circus» under his leadership and accused him of acting as a government spokesperson. The bloc filed a no-confidence motion, which the NDA dismissed as politically motivated.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi met with the Chief Election Commissioner to address concerns regarding alleged mass deletion of voters' names, primarily targeting vulnerable groups. Kejriwal presented a dossier to the Election Commission, urging them to halt the process and investigate those responsible.

An Air Force sergeant, Javeer Singh, 36, died by suicide at the Maintenance Command Center in Nagpur, India. He reportedly shot himself with his service weapon around 2 am on Wednesday. Colleagues observed Singh seemed stressed in the preceding days, though the precise reason for his suicide remains under investigation.

Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee criticized both the BJP and Congress for repeatedly disrupting parliamentary proceedings. He accused the two parties of marginalizing smaller parties and hindering democratic discourse, stating that the House's functioning depends solely on their whims. Banerjee highlighted the challenges faced by smaller parties who are unable to voice their concerns due to the disruptions.

Congress leader Randeep Surjewala accused the BJP government of weaponizing the Enforcement Directorate (ED), citing a surge in PMLA cases under NDA rule with a low conviction rate. Data revealed an eightfold increase in cases compared to the UPA era, with only 4.6% resulting in convictions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a 23-volume collection of Tamil poet and freedom fighter Subramania Bharati's works. He hailed Bharati as a visionary and highlighted his influence on patriotism, equality, and women's empowerment. Modi emphasized the power of words and noted Bharati's connection to Varanasi.

Lok Sabha faced disruptions as Rahul Gandhi urged Speaker Om Birla to expunge Nishikant Dubey's remarks. Dubey had linked Congress and Gandhi with George Soros and OCCRP. BJP accused Congress of connections with Soros, while Congress alleged BJP shielded Adani Group. Congress expressed willingness to participate in Parliament after the Speaker's decision on the remarks.

Two District Reserve Guards (DRG) personnel were injured in an IED blast during a clash with Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Wednesday. One Maoist was killed in the exchange of fire, and a search operation is ongoing. This incident follows the recent killings of two women by Maoists, who accused them of being police informants.

Congress MPs distributed roses and flags to NDA MPs outside Parliament, protesting against the government and alleging Adani's undue influence. They demanded an end to the alleged «selling off» of the country. This follows previous protests with masks, bags, and T-shirts targeting the Adani-Modi link. Parliamentary disruptions continue amidst accusations between BJP and Congress regarding Soros and Adani.

National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah urged the central government to reinstate Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, citing a promise made before the Supreme Court. Abdullah also addressed the settlement of refugees in Jammu, asserting the government's responsibility to provide basic amenities. He dismissed the notion of a «double engine government,» emphasizing the elected UT government as the sole power center.

Parliamentary proceedings remain stalled as Congress demands action against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey for linking the Gandhis to George Soros. Congress Deputy Leader Gaurav Gogoi urged Speaker Om Birla to expunge Dubey's «defamatory remarks,» promising Congress's participation in legislative business thereafter. BJP doubled down on the allegations, citing connections between Soros and Nehru's family.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal has dismissed reports of an alliance with Congress for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. Both parties have stated they will contest independently, echoing their separate campaigns in the Haryana elections and contrasting their Lok Sabha alliance.

RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav has publicly endorsed Mamata Banerjee to lead the INDIA opposition bloc, echoing similar sentiments from Sharad Pawar. Congress downplayed the matter, with Rahul Gandhi reportedly dismissing it as media hype. However, unease simmers among allies over Congress's perceived unilateralism and focus on the Adani issue, while concerns about Congress's electoral performance fuel the leadership debate.

Congress's data analytics head, Praveen Chakravarty, has written to the Chief Election Commissioner, urging for the public release of Maharashtra's assembly-wise voter rolls for the 2024 Lok Sabha and state polls.