1. Rahul and Sonia Gandhi Accused in Money‑Laundering Case
India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) has formally charged Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi with money‑laundering, alleging they used a shell company to acquire National Herald newspaper property worth $300 million. The Gandhis dismissed the move as “vendetta politics” by Prime Minister Modi’s government.
2. Violence Erupts over Waqf (Amendment) Act in Murshidabad
Protests against the newly passed Waqf (Amendment) Act in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district turned violent, with mobs torching police vehicles and clashes leaving three dead. The Centre suspended internet services and deployed paramilitary forces to restore order.
3. Supreme Court Condemns Election “Handouts”
India’s top court blasted the growing trend of vote‑time freebies—cash, loan waivers and free utilities—arguing they create a “class of parasites” and harm fiscal health. Justices warned parties that such practices undermine the democratic process.
4. “One Nation, One Election” Bill Falls Short in Lok Sabha
The government’s proposal to synchronize national and state polls (the “One Nation, One Election” plan) failed to secure the required two‑thirds majority in Parliament’s lower house, drawing criticism from opposition parties that it would weaken federalism.
5. BJP‑AIADMK Alliance for Tamil Nadu’s 2026 Polls
On April 11, AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled a pre‑poll alliance, aiming to challenge the ruling DMK in next year’s assembly election. The pact marks a key shift in southern coalition politics.
6. Punjab Police Crack Down on Farmer Protests
In Punjab, security forces cleared a year‑long farmer encampment on the Haryana border, detaining hundreds and using bulldozers to dismantle tents. The action underscores deep rural discontent and the government’s hard line on agrarian unrest.
7. Elon Musk to Visit India After Talks with PM Modi
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk announced he plans to visit India later this year, following technology‑collaboration discussions with Prime Minister Modi. Their exchange signals growing ties in innovation and digital infrastructure.
8. India‑U.S. Trade‑Liberalization Talks Launched
New Delhi and Washington have signed terms of reference for a bilateral trade deal aiming to double trade to $500 billion by 2030, including possible tariff cuts on over half of India’s $23 billion of U.S. imports.
9. Government Hits Pause on Petrol/Diesel Price Hike
Despite raising excise duty, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri confirmed that retail prices for petrol and diesel will not increase, absorbing the extra levy through state‑run fuel retailers—a move with clear political overtones.
10. Lok Sabha Approves New Gas‑Allocation Policy
The Petroleum Ministry announced reforms to gas‑allocation, granting CNG and PNG distributors two‑quarter advance allocations to stabilize urban fuel supply—a politically sensitive measure ahead of elections.
These developments reflect a dynamic political landscape where legal confrontations, legislative reforms, mass protests, and strategic alliances are reshaping India’s governance and electoral calculus.
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