Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal criticised party chief Ajit Pawar after being excluded from the Maharashtra Cabinet. Expressing his disappointment, Bhujbal said, “Am I a toy in your hands? You ask me to contest, then ignore me.” He revealed that earlier this year, he was denied a Rajya Sabha seat and pushed to contest Assembly elections instead. Now, the sudden offer of the seat has angered him. Bhujbal also claimed CM Devendra Fadnavis supported his inclusion. “The way I was treated was humiliating,” he added. Bhujbal will consult his supporters before taking the next step.

The One Nation, One Election Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha on December 17. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested sending the bill to a Parliamentary panel for detailed discussions. The bill aims to enable simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The move sparked protests from the opposition. Leaders like Congress' Manish Tewari and Samajwadi Party's Dharmendra Yadav criticised the bill. They argued it challenges the Constitution's structure and India's federal nature. Despite protests, 269 MPs supported the bill, while 198 opposed it.

Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced constitutional amendment bills for simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections in the Lok Sabha. The motion to introduce the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, saw 269 MPs supporting it, while 198 opposed. Congress, Samajwadi Party, and Trinamool Congress MPs criticized the bills, calling them an attack on the Constitution’s basic structure. The bills propose mid-term elections for dissolved assemblies to complete their five-year terms. If passed, simultaneous elections are expected to begin in 2034. The opposition demands the bills be sent to a joint committee.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra brought attention to minority rights in Bangladesh by carrying a bag reading, “Stand with Bangladeshi Hindus and Christians,” in Parliament. This followed her earlier controversy over a “Palestine” bag. She urged the Indian government to engage diplomatically with Dhaka to address attacks on minorities. BJP leaders accused her of "communal posturing," while Priyanka emphasized India’s historical commitment to minority rights, citing the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. She dismissed criticism of her attire as patriarchal. India’s strategic ties with Bangladesh remain crucial amid concerns over rising violence against minorities.

The One Nation One Election bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha today by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. The bill, which includes the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, has sparked controversy. Opposition parties, including Asaduddin Owaisi, criticized the bill, claiming it undermines federalism and parliamentary democracy. Owaisi argued that the bill violates the right to self-governance and has been introduced to "massage the ego of the supreme leader." The government has proposed referring the bill to the Joint Parliamentary Committee for further deliberation.

The 'One Nation, One Election' Bill, approved by the Union Cabinet, was introduced in the Lok Sabha today. The bill proposes simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and state assemblies, sparking a divide between the ruling NDA and Opposition parties. While BJP and its allies support the bill, key opposition parties, including Congress, Trinamool Congress, and DMK, oppose it. The bill aims to save time and resources, aligning with the government’s development agenda. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is leading the introduction of the Constitution Amendment Bill in Parliament today.

Arvind Kejriwal, AAP leader, accused the BJP-led Centre of failing to ensure women's safety in Delhi. Speaking at a 'Mahila Adalat' event, he claimed the Centre's control over Delhi police has led to lawlessness. Kejriwal highlighted AAP’s efforts, like installing CCTV cameras and appointing bus marshals, to improve security. BJP responded, criticizing AAP over Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal’s harassment complaint against Kejriwal’s aide and questioned Kejriwal’s association with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, who once defended comments about crimes against women made by his father, Mulayam Singh Yadav.

The Congress accused the BJP government of erasing history after the iconic 1971 surrender painting was relocated from the Army Chief’s lounge. The artwork depicts Pakistan’s Lt Gen Niazi surrendering to India’s Lt Gen Aurora, marking Bangladesh’s birth. Congress MP Manickam Tagore called the decision a "direct affront" to the 1971 war's memory. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra demanded the painting's reinstatement, alleging attempts to downplay Congress-era achievements. Military veterans condemned the move as an "insult." The Army clarified the painting was moved to the Manekshaw Centre to increase public accessibility, showcasing India’s military history to dignitaries.

The Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library (PMML) has written to Rahul Gandhi, requesting the return of 51 cartons of historical documents. These papers, including Jawaharlal Nehru's letters to Edwina Mountbatten and others, were allegedly taken by Sonia Gandhi in 2008. Rizwan Kadri, a member of the PMML, stated, “The letters should be returned to ensure a complete understanding of India’s history.” The BJP has raised questions, asking why these letters were taken and if they need “censorship.”

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress MP, made a statement in Parliament by carrying a bag with "Palestine" written on it. The bag featured a watermelon emblem, symbolising Palestinian resistance. Gandhi has long supported the Palestinian cause and criticised Israel’s actions in Gaza. BJP leader Sambit Patra responded, calling it "appeasement" and linking it to the Gandhi family's election losses. Gandhi recently met the Palestinian diplomat and expressed support for a ceasefire in Gaza. She has also condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, urging global condemnation of what she called "genocidal actions" by Israel.