UPDATED: Oct 29, 2026 09:33 ISTHigh drama unfolded outside counting centres in Varanasi following the Samajwadi Party's victory in the Member of Legislative Council elections. Bharatiya Janata Party cadres staged a sit-in demonstration and raised slogans outside the counting venue, alleging malpractices by the poll observer.
Demonstrators claimed that vote counting procedures were compromised and numbers were fudged. The electoral loss in Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is viewed as a notable political setback alongside another loss reported in Nagpur.
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party workers celebrated their poll victories, which also included key performances in Lucknow. Discussions highlighted that the outcome in graduate and teacher constituencies provides the Samajwadi Party with political narrative momentum ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, connecting electoral sentiments from Kashi to Ayodhya.
Read MoreVIDEOS FROM OTHER SECTIONSLATEST VIDEOSBJP Slams Rahul Gandhi Over Tata Remarks, Demands Evidence After Political RowA war of words has broken out between the BJP and Congress following remarks by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi claiming that the Tata Group is being criminally destroyed by the government. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and BJP leader Gaurav Vallabh strongly refuted the accusations, stating that Gandhi makes allegations without providing evidence or proof.
The ruling party said that the comments are politically motivated, irresponsible, and born out of frustration, while urging the Congress leadership to refrain from politicising corporate matters.MLC Polls: BJP Mocks Congress Over Ballot Results as Varanasi Loss Stirs ProtestFollowing the declaration of results for 28 Legislative Council seats across four states, the Bharatiya Janata Party targeted the Congress over its electoral performance. The elections were conducted via ballot papers, prompting BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, to criticise the Congress's prior vote theft allegations and ballot paper demands.
In counter-attacks, Congress challenged the central government to conduct upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections using paper ballots, while maintaining demands regarding the Election Commission. Meanwhile, the BJP faced setbacks after losing key council seats, including Varanasi to the Samajwadi Party, which triggered local protests over counting processes, as well as Nagpur.
Analysts noted that both parties face introspection, with Congress struggling despite the use of ballot papers—including losses in Karnataka—and the BJP conceding crucial strongholds in Uttar Pradesh.Voters Stood With Us Despite BJP Exerting Full Might: Abhijit WanjariCongress candidate Abhijit Wanjari retained the Nagpur Division Graduates seat in the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections, defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Sudhakar Kohale by a margin of 3,271 votes after a 41-hour counting process. Reacting to his win, Wanjari stated that the BJP deployed all its leaders across Maharashtra to campaign aggressively in Nagpur, yet voters chose to back him.
He credited his victory to the united effort of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, party workers, and 48 supporting organisations. The result marks the only victory for the Congress across 28 seats contested in MLC elections across four states, including Karnataka and Bihar.
Nagpur is widely seen as an RSS bastion and the political home turf of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The win provides a morale boost for the Congress party following its overall poor performance in the Legislative Council elections.Row Erupts as Naseeruddin Shah Calls Himself Dimagi Naxal, Faces Flak From RijijuA major political controversy has erupted following remarks by veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah, who referred to himself as a "Dimagi Naxal" and part of the "tukde-tukde gang" in a self-released video clip on social media.
In the clip, the actor challenged the authorities to take action against him. Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju launched a sharp counterattack against the actor, stating that he used to respect him but never knew he was dangerous, remarking that it took time to uncover his true character.
The row follows Shah's continuous backing of various student movements and demonstrations across the country, including those organised by groups at Jamia Millia Islamia and Jantar Mantar in Delhi, as well as student protests in Mumbai. Rijiju's criticism has been echoed by leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party and voices from within the film fraternity, including actor Puneet Issar, who questioned Shah's controversial stance and statements.