- SC delivers split verdict on CEC-EC appointment law challenge.
- Opposition targets CEC Gyanesh Kumar over SIR; BJP and EC defend panel.
- India rejects OIC remarks on J&K, calls them “factually incorrect”.
- BJP announces new state incharges; Smriti Irani named for Haryana, Chhattisgarh & Tawde for UP.
- Trump’s Board of Peace likely to unveil $2.45 billion, six-month Gaza recovery plan.
Here are the top news stories of the day:
SC delivers split verdict on plea challenging election commissioners’ appointment law
The Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on whether challenges to the law governing appointments of the chief election commissioner and election commissioners should be heard by a Constitution Bench. The law provides for a panel comprising the PM, a Union minister and Lok Sabha opposition leader. Read full story
EC ‘dissent’ row triggers opposition demands for CEC’s removal, fresh polls
Reported objections by election commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi to SIR-related decisions triggered a political row on Wednesday. Opposition parties demanded CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s removal and arrest, an end to SIR and fresh elections in some states. Meanwhile, BJP defended the EC, saying differences reflected democratic deliberations. Read full story
India rejects OIC remarks on J&K, says grouping has ‘no locus standi’
India rejected references to Jammu and Kashmir in an OIC Contact Group communique as “unwarranted and factually incorrect”, saying the grouping had no locus standi to comment on India’s internal matters. The MEA reiterated that J&K and Ladakh are integral parts of India and criticised the OIC for backing what it called politically motivated narratives.
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BJP announces state incharges; Smriti Irani gets Haryana, Chhattisgarh
BJP announced new state incharges and co-incharges across states and Union territories. Smriti Irani was given charge of Haryana and Chhattisgarh, while Vinod Tawde was appointed Uttar Pradesh incharge and Vinay Sahasrabuddhe was named Delhi incharge. Read full story
Board of Peace to unveil $2.45 billion, six-month Gaza recovery plan
The US-led Board of Peace is set to unveil a $2.45 billion, six-month recovery plan for Gaza, covering 66 projects for temporary housing, infrastructure, healthcare, economic revival and post-war governance. The plan includes $1 billion for infrastructure and $885 million for security, including a multinational force, but implementation depends on cooperation from Israel and Hamas. Read full story