BJP

Hundreds of Muslims have gathered in Ujjain, in India's Madhya Pradesh, to protest the partial demolition of a mosque they say is more than 600 years old. The BJP-led state government says the action was needed to widen roads ahead of a major Hindu pilgrimage expected in 2028. Protesters view the demolition as an attack on their religious heritage.

Amid the ongoing controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, BJP leader Abhijeet Dipke has made a major announcement concerning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The development puts the Election Commission back at the centre of political debate, with the SIR exercise already drawing criticism from opposition parties over voter roll changes.

Discussion in India centres on which candidates the BJP will field from Uttar Pradesh for the Rajya Sabha, with Union minister Smriti Irani among the names being floated. ABP News reports that several figures are under consideration as the party finalises its list, keeping speculation about Irani's potential return to Parliament alive.