During FY2024-25, national political parties disclosed over ₹6,600 crore in donations, with the BJP claiming the lion's share at more than ₹6,000 crore. Notably, nineteen donors were recorded on filings for both BJP and Congress, contributing nearly ₹258 crore collectively. This highlights the significant sway that the business and corporate sectors hold over political financing in India.
The National Investigation Agency conducted raids at two locations in Anantnag. These searches occurred in Bijbehara and Dooru areas of south Kashmir. NIA officers, with police and CRPF support, searched residential houses. The agency also raided SICOP in Bijbehara as part of its investigation. Details regarding the outcome of these searches are currently awaited.
In a significant action, Delhi Police have filed an FIR concerning a student protester’s complaint about a pellet injury. Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs has denied political clearance for Telangana CM Revanth Reddy's trip to the US, deeming the visit inappropriate. In another incident, an Andhra MP's son faced charges after allegedly causing a fatal incident involving his Aston Martin.
Punjab Congress leaders distanced the party from Deepender Singh Hooda's remarks. Hooda described Sajjan Kumar, a 1984 riots convict, as a nationwide role model. The party stated its support for riot victims and their affected families. Hooda's comments drew sharp criticism from Sikh groups and opposition parties. Sajjan Kumar, convicted in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, died recently.
Bikram Singh Majithia of the Shiromani Akali Dal expressed that public sentiment is leaning towards an alliance with the BJP. He highlighted Punjab's strategic location and the importance of social harmony as pivotal factors. The two parties had a longstanding relationship before parting ways over farm laws. Majithia emphasised that the final decision will come from the leadership of both sides, leaving the results of this potential collaboration uncertain.
The BJP criticized Rahul Gandhi for protesting outside a police station. He sought an FIR regarding alleged pellet gun injuries suffered by a student. The BJP stated an FIR was already registered and a committee was investigating. Rahul Gandhi accused the Home Minister of being scared of justice. The Congress leader continued his protest until an FIR was filed.
Arvind Kejriwal has accused BJP supporters of assaulting volunteers from the Cockroach Janata Party during their inspection of a local school. Reports indicate that the volunteers faced violence and had their vehicles damaged by villagers. They expressed frustration over police inaction, demanding that those responsible be arrested within 48 hours.
Union minister JP Nadda slammed Rahul Gandhi for staging a protest outside a police station, labeling it a desperate bid for media coverage. Nadda asserted that the demonstration was merely an effort to distract from the ongoing Vande Mataram controversy tied to Congress. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi sought to address police brutality towards students—an issue the Supreme Court is currently reviewing following the July 20 incident.
