UPDATED: Oct 29, 2026 18:50 ISTUttar Pradesh has seen a tight contest in the legislative council elections, with the Bharatiya Janata Party securing six seats and the Samajwadi Party winning five across eleven seats. The Samajwadi Party increased its tally compared to 2020, winning both graduate and teacher seats in Varanasi as well as the Lucknow graduate constituency.

Concurrently, the Yogi Adityanath administration announced that individuals affiliated with organisations seeking regime change through violent means will be disqualified from direct government employment across departments, prompting strong objections from opposition parties regarding constitutional rights. Meanwhile, ahead of key state elections, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh plans to conduct outreach in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

In Punjab, political tensions escalated over law and order and the drug menace, leading the state Bharatiya Janata Party to petition the governor for an immediate enforcement of the model code of conduct following the denial of permission for an anti-drug marathon. Read MoreVIDEOS FROM OTHER SECTIONSLATEST VIDEOSPunjab Law & Order Row: BJP Demands Early Model Code Of Conduct After Marathon BanA major political confrontation has erupted between the BJP and the AAP-led Punjab government over the state's law and order situation and drug crisis.

The Punjab BJP has written to the Governor requesting that the Model Code of Conduct be enforced immediately to curb lawlessness ahead of upcoming assembly elections. The demand follows local police denying permission for an annual anti-drug marathon in Abohar, citing security concerns.

BJP leaders pointed to recent incidents, including murders, attacks on police personnel in Mansa and Sangrur, and a broad daylight shooting in Tarn Taran, accusing the state government of complete administrative failure.No UP Government Jobs For Those Backing Violent Regime Change, Opposition Slams MoveThe Uttar Pradesh government has revised recruitment norms, stipulating that individuals linked to organisations seeking regime change through violent means will be ineligible for government employment. The revised guidelines apply to direct recruitments across government departments, corporations, councils, and local bodies.

The order clarifies that political ideology, such as supporting parties like the Samajwadi Party or Congress, is not a ground for disqualification. Opposition parties have criticised the order, questioning how authorities will differentiate between ordinary student recruitment protests and agitations calling for regime change.RSS Steps In For UP & Punjab Polls, Targets Opposition Narrative & Drug MenaceAs the Bharatiya Janata Party prepares for upcoming elections to retain Uttar Pradesh and challenge the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is stepping in to bolster ground efforts.

The Sangh will hold a crucial meeting in Indore on November 2 and 3 to formulate strategies countering anti-national forces, unrest, and the growing drug crisis. In Uttar Pradesh, focus remains on countering opposition narratives, while door-to-door campaigns in Punjab will highlight the drug menace and outline the central government's work.