The gold theft controversy at Kerala’s Sabarimala Temple has spiralled into a full-blown political storm. With several kilograms of gold allegedly missing and senior officials arrested, the case has triggered sharp exchanges between the Left, Congress, and the BJP. A Special Investigation Team has told the court that Pankaj Bhandari of Smart Creations and Ballari-based jeweller Govardhan were central to a conspiracy involving temple artefacts. Two former presidents of the Travancore Devaswom Board have already been taken into custody. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan escalated the row by directly accusing Congress MP Sonia Gandhi of alleged links to the accused, citing photographs. The Bharatiya Janata Party has demanded a CBI probe, alleging a wider conspiracy involving both the Congress-led UDF and the CPM-led LDF. Vijayan also hit out at RSS-linked groups over alleged threats to Christmas celebrations, warning against religious intimidation. What began as a criminal probe has now become a major political flashpoint shaking Kerala’s power corridors.
Rahul Gandhi is back at the centre of a political storm. Speaking in Berlin, the Leader of Opposition alleged vote theft, misuse of central agencies, and an assault on India’s institutions, questioning the fairness of recent elections. The BJP hit back hard, accusing Rahul Gandhi of insulting India on foreign soil, branding his remarks as a “Bharat Badnam Yatra.” Union ministers and BJP leaders launched a multi-pronged counter-attack, while even an INDIA bloc ally struck a note of caution. Inside the Congress, fresh leadership murmurs have emerged after a senior MP publicly backed Priyanka Gandhi, giving the BJP fresh ammunition.
Amarjeet Kaur, General Secretary of AITUC, says despite repeated requests, the Labour Ministry did not call the Indian Labour Conference for consultations on the Codes
LoP Rahul Gandhi has reignited his “vote chori” attack—this time from foreign soil. Speaking at an event in Berlin, Germany, Rahul alleged that elections in India are not free and fair, sparking a sharp political backlash. He reiterated that the Congress won polls in Telangana, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana, while maintaining that the Maharashtra election was unfair and that the broader electoral process in India remains compromised. The remarks triggered a fierce response from the BJP. Party president JP Nadda accused Rahul of criticising India abroad and skipping key Parliament sessions, while the BJP said he was spreading propaganda rather than acting as Leader of Opposition.
A sweeping mandate for the ruling Mahayuti in Maharashtra’s crucial local body elections. Celebrations erupted as the BJP emerged as the single largest party, leading in at least 115 municipal councils and nagar panchayats. Deputy CM Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena followed, with over 50 leads. The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi struggled, with Congress ahead in just over 30 bodies, while Sena (UBT) and NCP lagged far behind. High-profile wins underline BJP’s dominance. Seen as a semi-final before the BMC battle, the verdict sets the tone for Mumbai’s high-stakes political fight.
This week brought temporary respite for the Gandhis in the National Herald case, as a Delhi court refused to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate’s complaint against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The court observed that the complaint was based on an FIR and was therefore non-maintainable at this stage. However, the ED has said it will challenge the order, maintaining that it will not hamper the larger probe. So what exactly is the National Herald case, and what are the charges? Let’s break it down.
The video, shared on Congress' X handle on December 17, falsely depicted a conversation between Modi and Adani, with the caption “Modi-Adani Bhai Bhai, Desh Bechkar Khai Malai,” insinuating that the duo was selling off the country for personal gain.
Delhi continues to battle severe air pollution as thick smog blankets the national capital, pushing air quality into the ‘severe’ and ‘very poor’ categories. Amid public health concerns, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa apologised to residents, stating that efforts were underway to address the crisis. However, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticised the government, calling the response delayed and inadequate. The exchange escalated further as political leaders traded remarks inside and outside Parliament. While Delhi’s AQI showed marginal improvement, opposition parties continue to demand parliamentary discussion as the government faces criticism over its pollution control measures.
Operation Sindoor, launched by India in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, remains at the centre of a political controversy months later. Senior military officials have detailed the operation’s objectives and outcomes, maintaining that key targets were successfully neutralised. However, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has questioned these claims, alleging setbacks on the first day of the operation. His remarks triggered sharp reactions from NDA leaders, who accused him of echoing narratives promoted by Pakistan. While Chavan has stood by his statements, the government and military leadership continue to assert that Operation Sindoor achieved all intended objectives.
A major relief for Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case, as a Delhi court refused to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate’s money laundering chargesheet. The Rouse Avenue Court ruled that the ED’s complaint under the PMLA was not maintainable as it was based on a private complaint and not a registered FIR. The ED had acted on a complaint by former BJP MP Subramanian Swamy. While the Congress welcomed the order, the BJP termed it temporary relief. The ED says it will continue its probe and may challenge the ruling.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor strongly opposed the proposed D.R. Ramji Bill in the Lok Sabha, warning that it represents a deeply regrettable and retrograde shift away from India’s commitment to its most vulnerable citizens. Tharoor argued that removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name from MNREGA is not a mere administrative change but an assault on the programme’s moral and philosophical foundation rooted in Gandhi’s vision of Gram Swaraj and “the last man first”. He also raised serious concerns over the proposed financial restructuring, which shifts 40 per cent of the burden to states, calling it fiscally irresponsible, a violation of federal principles, and a move that could render the scheme unworkable for poorer states. Tharoor further criticised provisions allowing the Union government to decide when and where the scheme operates, warning that this fundamentally alters the nature of a rights-based employment guarantee programme.





