The Congress is set to finalise its candidates' list for the Chhattisgarh elections this week, with sources claiming that the Election Commission is likely to hold the polls in five states between Diwali and December second week. The poll results are likely to be out by December 14. Meanwhile, a Lok Sabha panel will hear the complaint against BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri's objectionable remarks on the floor of the House against fellow MP Danish Ali.
Stay with ABP Live as we try to cut the clutter around the latest news from the political arena and help you understand what is likely to happen in The Week Ahead. Here are the biggest political developments expected to play out this week.
Lok Sabha Panel To Meet Over BJP MP's Objectionable Remarks
The Lok Sabha Privileges Committee is set to convene a key meeting on October 10 to address the issue of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ramesh Bidhuri, who made objectionable remarks against Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Kunwar Danish Ali during a parliamentary session.
The meeting will record oral evidence by Ramesh Bidhuri in response to complaints received from various Opposition MPs.
The issue has stirred up a massive row among political parties. Several Opposition leaders complained to Speaker Om Birla, urging action against Bidhuri for the highly offensive remarks. The BJP, however, sought to defend Bidhuri, accusing Danish Ali of making disparaging comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The incident occurred during a discussion on the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
Rahul Priyanka To Address Rallies In Poll-Bound Madhya Pradesh
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are set to address separate public rallies on October 10 and 12 in the run-up to the elections in Madhya Pradesh. Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi is slated to address a public rally in Beohari of Shahdol district on October 10, while party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will follow suit with a rally in Mandla on October 12.
MP Congress chief Kamal Nath is slated to address both gatherings, alongside other prominent party leaders.
Priyanka Gandhi's Mandla rally will mark her fourth public appearance in Madhya Pradesh in the run up to the polls. On October 5, she addressed a rally at Mohankheda in Dhar district. Before that, she addressed the people in Jabalpur and Gwalior.
Rahul Gandhi's rally in Beohari will be his second public event in the state after addressing a gathering in Shajapur district on September 30. His previous involvement included the Bharat Jodo Yatra, which passed through the state last year.
The Congress party has made a slew of promises, encompassing free and subsidised power billing policy, implementation of the old pension scheme, farm loan waivers, and a monthly allowance of Rs 1,500 for women.
Congress Likely To Finalise Candidates For Chhattisgarh Elections On October 13
The Congress will hold a crucial meeting of the Central Election Committee (CEC) for Chhattisgarh on October 13 to finalize the list of candidates for the upcoming assembly elections in the state. The CEC meeting in Raipur is being held after several rounds of screening committee meetings. However, the candidates' names are unlikely to be announced before October 14 due to 'Pitru Paksha', a period considered not auspicious in Hinduism. The same reason has also reportedly delayed the BJP's announcement.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge last month constituted the 16-member CEC, with CPP chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi among the members. The committee includes prominent figures such as Ambika Soni, Madhusudan Mistry, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Salman Khurshid, N Uttam Kumar Reddy, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister TS Singh Deo, KJ George, Pritam Singh, Mohammad Jawed, Amee Yajnik, PL Punia, Omkar Markam, and KC Venugopal.
The Congress party has been actively campaigning in Chhattisgarh, with key leaders like Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra taking the lead. The trio has already addressed public meetings in the poll-bound state, reflecting the party's commitment to making a strong impact in the upcoming elections.
TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee To Submit Documents In Recruitment Scam Probe
Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee will have to furnish documents related to the ongoing investigation into the alleged West Bengal school teachers' recruitment scam by October 10 as sought by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The issue has been a subject of contention between the TMC and the BJP, with the former alleging political vendetta by the latter. The TMC alleged that to prevent Abhishek Banerjee from actively participating in the protest in Delhi against the Centre, the BJP is employing the ED to "harass" him. The TMC last week staged a protest in Delhi, alleging non-clearance of dues for the MGNREGA work done in the state.
The Calcutta High Court last week ruled that the ED is to issue summons to Banerjee for his appearance, providing a 48-hour notice in advance, if it deems the presence of the TMC MP necessary after examining the submitted documents and information.
Concerned about the pendency of the case for almost 19 months, the court stressed the need for its timely completion. It directed Banerjee to provide the required documents and information to the ED on or before October 10, with the expectation that the entire investigation be concluded by December 31.
The division bench, comprising justices Soumen Sen and Uday Kumar, urged Banerjee to cooperate with the ED. The court also imposed a restriction, stating that the agency would not summon him between October 19 and 26, coinciding with the Durga Puja celebrations.
Abhishek Banerjee, summoned by the ED as a witness, was asked to produce specific documents related to 'Leaps and Bounds,' where he serves as the CEO. The agency had conducted raids on the company's offices in August.