Category Archives: regional

Omar Abdullah’s NC Gets Support Of 4 Independent MLAs, Reaches Majority Mark Without Congress In J&K

In a significant development for the National Conference (NC) in Jammu and Kashmir, four independent MLAs extended their support to Omar Abdullah’s party on Thursday. This has enabled the NC to reach the majority mark in the 90-member assembly without requiring support from the Congress party.

With this added support, the NC now commands the backing of 46 lawmakers, surpassing the majority threshold. Consequently, Omar Abdullah no longer needs Congress’s support to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir.

### Omar Abdullah Elected Leader of the Legislature Party

Omar Abdullah is set to be the new Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir after being unanimously elected as the leader of the NC legislature party. The decision was taken during a meeting held at the NC headquarters located in the ‘Nawa-e-Subha’ complex in Srinagar on Thursday.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, JKNC Vice President Omar Abdullah announced,
“I have been elected as the leader of the Legislature Party. I express my gratitude to the MLAs. Talks are ongoing to obtain a letter of support from Congress. Four independent MLAs have also extended their support to the National Conference. Now the number of NC members stands at 42, plus the 4 independent MLAs. After receiving the letter from Congress, we will go to the Raj Bhavan to stake claim to form the government.”

The meeting was attended by NC President Dr Farooq Abdullah, Vice President Omar Abdullah, senior party leaders, and recently elected MLAs. Farooq Abdullah had already indicated immediately after the election results were announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI) that Omar Abdullah would become the new Chief Minister of J&K.

### Priority to Restore Statehood

Omar Abdullah emphasized that the first task of the new J&K cabinet would be to pass a resolution demanding the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory.
“It should be the first business of the cabinet to pass a resolution asking the Centre to restore statehood to J&K. The Chief Minister should then travel to Delhi with the resolution and request the government to restore our statehood,” he said.

Abdullah added that this promise had been made by the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and other leaders.
“Nowhere did they state that statehood would be restored only to a government that includes BJP members,” he remarked.

The NC leader also reiterated that the party would never abandon its demand for the restoration of Article 370, which granted special autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir.
“Our stand on this will never change,” he asserted.

### Omar Abdullah’s Political Journey

This will be Omar Abdullah’s second term as Chief Minister. He was first elected in 2009 at the age of 38, becoming the Chief Minister of the J&K state. Now, he will assume office as the Chief Minister of the J&K Union Territory.

### Election Results Snapshot

The 98-member J&K Legislative Assembly results are as follows:
– National Conference (NC): 42 seats
– Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): 29 seats
– Congress: 6 seats
– Peoples Democratic Party (PDP): 3 seats
– Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)]: 1 seat
– Peoples Conference: 1 seat
– Aam Aadmi Party (AAP): 1 seat
– Independents: 7 seats

Additionally, the Lieutenant Governor will nominate five members based on recommendations from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

With a clear majority, the National Conference is poised to form the government, with Omar Abdullah as the Chief Minister, focusing on promises such as the restoration of statehood and Article 370.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/omar-abdullahs-nc-gets-support-of-4-independent-mlas-reaches-majority-mark-without-congress

Uttar Pradesh: SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav Meets Azam Khan In Rampur After Jail Release, Dismisses Speculation On Party Switch; Video

Rampur: Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday met veteran party leader Azam Khan at his residence here. This marked the first meeting between the two leaders following Khan’s recent release from the Sitapur jail.

Yadav traveled from Lucknow to Bareilly airport and then proceeded to Rampur by helicopter. The chopper landed at the Maulana Jauhar University campus helipad, where Khan personally received Yadav, officials said.

Ahead of the visit, Khan had told the media on Tuesday that he would meet only Akhilesh Yadav and no one else. When asked about Rampur SP MP Maulana Mohibullah Nadvi, Khan stated that he did not know him and would not be meeting him. “There is no programme. Akhilesh Yadav will meet me, and I will meet only him,” Khan emphasized. Notably, SP MP Nadvi was not seen accompanying Yadav during his visit to Rampur.

Speculation has been rife about Azam Khan potentially joining the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). However, the senior SP leader dismissed these claims. As a founding member of the SP, Khan earlier remarked, “We have something called character. Character does not mean whether we hold a post or not; it means people love and respect us. And we are not for sale, we have proved that.”

A ten-time MLA from Rampur, Khan faces several criminal charges, including allegations of land grabbing and corruption, which he claims are politically motivated. His recent release from jail came after the Allahabad High Court granted him bail last week in the Quality Bar land encroachment case. His name was added to this case during a reinvestigation nearly five years after the FIR was initially filed.

Earlier, Yadav had vowed that all “false” cases against Khan would be withdrawn once the SP returns to power in Uttar Pradesh, stating that Khan has “finally got justice.”

Currently, the Samajwadi Party holds 37 MPs and 107 MLAs, including 34 Muslim MLAs and four Muslim MPs in the Uttar Pradesh assembly.

*Note: Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ’s editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/uttar-pradesh-sp-chief-akhilesh-yadav-meets-azam-khan-in-rampur-after-jail-release-dismisses-speculation-on-party-switch-video

UP Panchayat Elections 2026: OBC Reservation Commission Delay May Postpone Polls

**Lucknow:** The three-tier panchayat elections in Uttar Pradesh, scheduled for April-May 2026, may face delays due to the non-formation of a dedicated commission for Other Backward Class (OBC) reservation.

The tenure of the Gram Panchayats, Kshetra Panchayats, and Zila Panchayats ends on May 26, July 19, and July 11 next year, respectively. This means the elections are required to be held before these dates. However, similar to the municipal elections, the OBC reservation formula needs to be finalized prior to conducting the polls.

### Role of Proposed Commission

The proposed commission is tasked with studying the socio-economic and political status of OBCs in the state. Based on this study, it will submit its recommendations to the government. According to a Supreme Court ruling, OBC reservation cannot be implemented without such a report.

### Timeline Challenges

Sources indicate that the commission will need to conduct district visits and may require up to six months to prepare its report. This duration raises the likelihood of postponing the elections.

A Panchayati Raj official confirmed that the proposal for the commission has already been sent to the state government. The election schedule now depends on the government’s decision regarding this proposal.

*Also watch:* Developments on the reservation formula and election timelines will be closely monitored in the coming months.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/uttar-pradesh/up-panchayat-elections-2026-obc-reservation-commission-delay-may-postpone-polls

‘Witch Killing Its Own People’: PoK Leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir Accuses Pakistan Army, Govt Of Oppressing Locals – VIDEO

Islamabad: Shaukat Nawaz Mir, a top leader of the Awami Action Committee in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), has accused Pakistan’s government and army of oppressing locals. Comparing them to a witch bent on killing people, he asserted that the so-called “Azad Kashmir” is not free at all.

Mir recalled General Asim Munir’s remarks labelling Hindus as “kaafir” prior to the Pahalgam attack and charged that while Pakistan accuses others of committing atrocities, its own leaders are perpetrating them in PoK. He further alleged that the voices of ordinary people are being crushed, the media is being silenced, and questioned the legitimacy of Pakistani forces that “kill those they claim to represent.”

The situation in PoK is set to worsen as the Pakistan Army continues its alleged atrocities and protesters remain undeterred. In response to ongoing demonstrations by Pakistan’s Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), the PoK administration has imposed an indefinite lockdown.

The JKJAAC has declared its intention to internationalize the issue, calling on Kashmiris worldwide to raise awareness. The organisation has consistently highlighted major concerns, including the brutal force used against the local population, and has urged people to lay siege to Muzaffarabad.

A 38-point charter of demands has been submitted to the Pakistan government, which includes the removal of perks and privileges for the elites. While protests have intensified over the past week, the situation escalated further when security forces reportedly opened fire on peaceful demonstrators.

Allegations have emerged of a systematic attempt by the Pakistan government to suppress the protests violently, with claims of a planned crackdown to kill dissenters. Since the onset of the protests, Pakistan has suspended mobile and internet services in PoK to prevent the real issues from reaching the global community.

There is currently an unprecedented deployment of security personnel throughout the region as authorities seek to maintain control amid rising unrest.

*Note: Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ’s editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/witch-killing-its-own-people-pok-leader-shaukat-nawaz-mir-accuses-pakistan-army-govt-of-oppressing-locals-video

‘Witch Killing Its Own People’: PoK Leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir Accuses Pakistan Army, Govt Of Oppressing Locals – VIDEO

Islamabad: Shaukat Nawaz Mir, a top leader of the Awami Action Committee in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), has accused Pakistan’s government and army of oppressing the local population. Comparing them to a witch bent on killing people, he stated that the so-called “Azad Kashmir” is not free at all.

Mir recalled General Asim Munir’s remarks labelling Hindus as “kaafir” before the Pahalgam attack and charged that while Pakistan accuses others of atrocities, its own leaders are committing them in PoK. He also alleged that the voices of ordinary people are being crushed, the media is being silenced, and questioned the legitimacy of Pakistani forces that “kill those they claim to represent.”

The situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is set to worsen as the Pakistan Army continues its alleged atrocities, and the protesters show no signs of relenting. The PoK administration has ordered an indefinite lockdown amidst protests organized by Pakistan’s Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC).

The JKJAAC has decided to take the issue to the international stage, calling upon Kashmiris globally to raise awareness. The organization has been highlighting major issues, including the use of brute force against civilians, and has called on people to lay siege to Muzaffarabad.

A 38-point charter of demands has been submitted to the Pakistan government, which includes the removal of perks for the elites. While protests have intensified over the past week, the situation escalated further when security forces reportedly began firing at peaceful protesters.

Allegations have surfaced of a systematic attempt to kill people, with claims that the Pakistan government has set a plan in motion to suppress the dissent. Since the protests began, Pakistan has suspended mobile and internet services across PoK, aiming to prevent the real issues from reaching the international community.

There is currently an unprecedented deployment of security personnel in the region as authorities attempt to contain the unrest.

*Note: Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ’s editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/witch-killing-its-own-people-pok-leader-shaukat-nawaz-mir-accuses-pakistan-army-govt-of-oppressing-locals-video

Pawan Singh to contest Bihar election? Bhojpuri actor meets Shah

**Pawan Singh to Contest Bihar Election? Bhojpuri Actor Meets Shah**

*By Snehil Singh | Sep 30, 2025, 05:15 PM*

Bhojpuri actor and singer Pawan Singh is reportedly gearing up to make his entry into Bihar politics ahead of the upcoming elections.

On Tuesday, Pawan Singh met with leaders of the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party, signaling a possible foray into the political arena.

This development has sparked speculation about his candidature and the potential impact of his popularity in the Bihar polls. Further updates are awaited as the election season approaches.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/politics/bhojpuri-actor-pawan-singh-may-enter-bihar-poll-fray/story

Ogun Assembly receives Abiodun’s request seeking approval for 2026-2028 MTEF

Ogun State House of Assembly has acknowledged a correspondence from the State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, seeking approval for the 2026-2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for the state.

The Speaker, Oludaisi Elemide, on Friday stated that the request aligns with the Ogun State Fiscal Responsibility Law of 2020 (as amended).

DAILY POST reports that the governor’s letter is titled “Request for the Approval of the 2026-2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) by the State House of Assembly.”

According to the letter, the Executive Council has reviewed and endorsed the prepared 2026-2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework. Governor Abiodun urged the Assembly to consider and approve the framework to facilitate the planning and budgetary process for the 2026 fiscal year, as well as the outer years of 2027 and 2028.

Following this, the Speaker referred the request to the House Committee on Finance and Appropriations for further legislative action.
https://dailypost.ng/2025/09/26/ogun-assembly-receives-abioduns-request-seeking-approval-for-2026-2028-mtef/

Maharashtra News: ‘Independent NCC Academy To Be Established In State,’ Says Sports Minister Manikrao Kokate

**Maharashtra to Establish Independent NCC Academy in Mumbai Metropolitan Region**

*Mumbai:* Maharashtra is set to have an independent National Cadet Corps (NCC) Academy aimed at providing advanced training facilities for cadets, announced State Sports Minister Adv. Manikrao Kokate. The minister has directed officials of the Sports Department to identify suitable land within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) for setting up this new academy.

**Review Meeting Held at Mantralaya**

A review meeting focused on pending NCC matters was held today at Mantralaya. The meeting was attended by key officials including Additional Chief Secretary Anil Diggikar, Additional Director General Major General Vivek Tyagi, Deputy Secretary Sunil Pandhare, and Director of Naval NCC, Captain Jenish George, among others.

During the meeting, Major General Tyagi presented Minister Kokate with a model of an Indian Navy warship, skillfully crafted by NCC cadets, symbolizing the cadets’ dedication and creativity.

**NCC’s Role in Career Building**

Highlighting the significant contribution of the NCC, Minister Kokate said cadets from Maharashtra have been excelling at the national level across schools, camps, sports, and various other activities. He emphasized that the NCC ‘C Certificate’ has gained immense value not only in the Armed Forces and Police but also within the corporate sector, thereby opening excellent career opportunities for cadets.

Acknowledging the growing importance of NCC, Kokate instructed officials to increase the number of NCC training centers in colleges across the state. He also emphasized ensuring adequate manpower support to effectively carry out NCC-related activities.

*Also Watch: NCC’s Role In Career Building*

For details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai and surrounding regions, visit: [https://budgetproperties.in/](https://budgetproperties.in/)
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/maharashtra-news-independent-ncc-academy-to-be-established-in-state-says-sports-minister-manikrao-kokate

Town Talk

**Urta Lahore: A Festival of South Asian Cinema**

**When:** Concludes Sunday (today), from 4:30 PM onwards
**Where:** Annemarie-Schimmel-Haus, Lahore

Urta Lahore, held in collaboration with Travelling Film South Asia, is a vibrant festival celebrating the richness of South Asian cinema. The festival showcases films that explore themes of resilience, nostalgia, and untold histories, offering audiences a unique cinematic experience.

In its final days, the screening lineup features an engaging selection of feature films and shorts. Highlights include:
– Feature films such as *Cinema Pe Cinema* by Vani Subramanian and *Akash Ganga* by Nirmal Chander.
– Short films like *A Forgotten Summer* by Aliya Z S, Fatima Rahman, Isha Singh, Minha Fathima, and Shreya Mishra; *Made with Love* by Kainat Thebo; and *Hello Guyzz!* by Samiksha Mathur.

Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the diverse storytelling of South Asian filmmakers.

**Ali Zafar Live!**

**When:** September 27 at 7 PM
**Where:** Alhamra Cultural Complex, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Experience an electrifying live performance by Ali Zafar at the Alhamra Cultural Complex. Mark your calendars for an unforgettable evening filled with music and entertainment.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1345127-town-talk