The Madras High Court just hit pause on politics as usual. It stayed bypolls to 5 assembly seats and told the Election Commission not to notify polls till July 31, citing pending election petitions. In a landmark move, the court also invoked a 1967 Supreme Court judgment that could make resignations and defections way more expensive politically. The message is clear: quit after winning and you may have to wait. This order could directly change how parties and MLAs play the defection game going forward


Madras High Court Stays Bypolls to 5 Seats

Calls for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s resignation are reportedly growing amid rising political pressure and internal party debates following recent election developments. Opposition leaders and critics are questioning the government’s performance on key issues, while discussions intensify within political circles about leadership stability and future direction. The situation reflects growing volatility in UK politics.


UK: PM Keir Starmer Vows To Fight On To Next Poll

<p>Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Gopal Italia has won from the Visavadar constituency of Gujarat in the bypoll 2025 in a tough contest with flying colours by maintaining a decent lead throughout the counting. He secured a total of 75,942 votes and defeated the BJP candidate Kirit Patel by a margin of 17,554 votes.</p><p>The bypoll was needed following the resignation of AAP MLA Bhupendra Bhayani in December 2023, as he joined the BJP, which resulted in reducing AAP’s Gujarat assembly seats to four (Dediapada, Jamjodhpur, Botad, Gariadhar), as per the HT report.</p><h3>Who is Gopal Italia?</h3><p>Italia was born on July 21, 1989, in the Botad district of Gujarat. He began his career as a police officer before emerging as a vocal social activist. He garnered his first public attention in 2017 after he complained to then Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel about alcohol prohibition violations when he was working as a government employee. Following the development, the clip of the phone call went viral, earning him widespread recognition for his bold anti-corruption role, according to a report in Financial Express.</p><p>Before entering politics, Gopal Italia was involved in the Patidar reservation movement and was affiliated with the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS). In 2018, he launched 'Kayda Katha' public events aimed at spreading legal awareness. After joining the AAP in June 2020, he was appointed state vice president and later became the Gujarat unit president by December of the same year.</p><p>Italia has led numerous public demonstrations addressing social and governance-related issues. In 2021, he notably led protests demanding transparency over the cancellation of the Gujarat head clerk exam following a paper leak. Recognised for his connection with grassroots communities and straightforward public statements, he remains a significant figure among the youth and farming communities.</p><p>Visavadar, once a BJP bastion led by former chief minister Keshubhai Patel, flipped to AAP in 2022, making the current contest crucial for the party to maintain influence. The constituency has 2,61,052 registered voters (1,35,597 men, 1,25,451 women, and four third-gender), where the total voter turnout in by polls is 56.57 per cent.</p><p>Ahead of the by-election results, the BJP held 161 seats in the 182-member Gujarat Assembly, Congress had 12 (after defections and Geniben Thakor’s Lok Sabha win), AAP held four, Samajwadi Party one, and there were two Independents.</p>

Before entering politics, Gopal Italia was involved in the Patidar reservation movement and was affiliated with the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS). In 2018, he launched 'Kayda Katha' public events aimed at spreading legal awareness.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Gopal Italia has won from the Visavadar constituency of Gujarat in the bypoll 2025 in a tough contest with flying colours by maintaining a decent lead throughout the counting. He secured a total of 75,942 votes and defeated the BJP candidate Kirit Patel by a margin of 17,554 votes. The bypoll was needed following the resignation of AAP MLA Bhupendra Bhayani in December 2023, as he joined the BJP, which resulted in reducing AAP’s Gujarat assembly seats to four (Dediapada, Jamjodhpur, Botad, Gariadhar), as per the HT report. Who is Gopal Italia? Italia was born on July 21, 1989, in the Botad district of Gujarat. He began his career as a police officer before emerging as a vocal social activist. He garnered his first public attention in 2017 after he complained to then Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel about alcohol prohibition violations when he was working as a government employee. Following the development, the clip of the phone call went viral, earning him widespread recognition for his bold anti-corruption role, according to a report in Financial Express. Before entering politics, Gopal Italia was involved in the Patidar reservation movement and was affiliated with the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS). In 2018, he launched 'Kayda Katha' public events aimed at spreading legal awareness. After joining the AAP in June 2020, he was appointed state vice president and later became the Gujarat unit president by December of the same year. Italia has led numerous public demonstrations addressing social and governance-related issues. In 2021, he notably led protests demanding transparency over the cancellation of the Gujarat head clerk exam following a paper leak. Recognised for his connection with grassroots communities and straightforward public statements, he remains a significant figure among the youth and farming communities. Visavadar, once a BJP bastion led by former chief minister Keshubhai Patel, flipped to AAP in 2022, making the current contest crucial for the party to maintain influence. The constituency has 2,61,052 registered voters (1,35,597 men, 1,25,451 women, and four third-gender), where the total voter turnout in by polls is 56.57 per cent. Ahead of the by-election results, the BJP held 161 seats in the 182-member Gujarat Assembly, Congress had 12 (after defections and Geniben Thakor’s Lok Sabha win), AAP held four, Samajwadi Party one, and there were two Independents.

<p>Before entering politics, Gopal Italia was involved in the Patidar reservation movement and was affiliated with the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS). In 2018, he launched 'Kayda Katha' public events aimed at spreading legal awareness.</p>

AAP's Gopal Italia wins Gujarat's Visavadar bypoll in 2025, defeats BJP’s Kirit Patel — know who he is

<p>George Galloway, known for his condemnation of the ongoing Gaza war and harsh comments against Israel, has secured a victory in the UK's Rochdale by-election, marking his return to Westminster. In the crucial elections, Galloway from Workers’ Party of Britain, clinched 12,335 votes, representing a 37.6 percent turnout in Rochdale.</p>

<p>The pro-Palestinian leader's support by Labour party was withdrawn after he made controversial remarks against Israel. Galloway secured a substantial lead of almost 6,000 votes, signaling what he described as the start of a grassroots "movement".</p>

<p>The by-election, triggered by the passing of former Labour MP Sir Tony Lloyd, offered Galloway his fourth term in parliament and a platform to challenge Labour's position on the Israel-Palestinian conflict.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sorry-for-the-trouble-japan-mayor-resigns-after-probe-identifies-99-acts-of-sexual-harassment-695519">'Sorry for the trouble': Japan mayor resigns after probe identifies 99 acts of sexual harassment</a></p>

<p>In his victory speech, Galloway directed a message to Keir Starmer, stating, "Keir Starmer, this is for Gaza."&nbsp;“You have paid and you will pay a high price for the role you have played . . . covering for the catastrophe presently going on in occupied Palestine," he said adding, "Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak are two cheeks of the same backside and they both got well and truly spanked tonight here in Rochdale."&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Labour party's controversial candidate&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Labour's initially selected candidate Azhar Ali also faced controversy over remarks regarding Israel's actions in Gaza. According to him, the Jewish nation wanted to invade Gaza and in order to achieve that objective the country allowed Hamas militant group to attack Israel on the fateful day of October 7 last year.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p>This controversy prompted Labour to retract its support for Ali.</p>

<p>“We understand that these are highly unusual circumstances, but it is vital that any candidate put forward by Labour fully represents its aims and values,” the party said in a statement.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/texas-smokehouse-creek-fire-rages-on-695511">Texas' smokehouse creek fire rages on</a></strong></p>

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<p>However, he continued to remain on the ballot because by the time nominations had closed. Ali garnered only 2,402 votes, finishing fourth.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


George Galloway, known for his condemnation of the ongoing Gaza war and harsh comments against Israel, has secured a victory in the UK's Rochdale by-election, marking his return to Westminster.

George Galloway, known for his condemnation of the ongoing Gaza war and harsh comments against Israel, has secured a victory in the UK's Rochdale by-election, marking his return to Westminster. In the crucial elections, Galloway from Workers’ Party of Britain, clinched 12,335 votes, representing a 37.6 percent turnout in Rochdale. The pro-Palestinian leader's support by Labour party was withdrawn after he made controversial remarks against Israel. Galloway secured a substantial lead of almost 6,000 votes, signaling what he described as the start of a grassroots "movement". The by-election, triggered by the passing of former Labour MP Sir Tony Lloyd, offered Galloway his fourth term in parliament and a platform to challenge Labour's position on the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Also Read | 'Sorry for the trouble': Japan mayor resigns after probe identifies 99 acts of sexual harassment In his victory speech, Galloway directed a message to Keir Starmer, stating, "Keir Starmer, this is for Gaza." “You have paid and you will pay a high price for the role you have played . . . covering for the catastrophe presently going on in occupied Palestine," he said adding, "Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak are two cheeks of the same backside and they both got well and truly spanked tonight here in Rochdale." Labour party's controversial candidate Labour's initially selected candidate Azhar Ali also faced controversy over remarks regarding Israel's actions in Gaza. According to him, the Jewish nation wanted to invade Gaza and in order to achieve that objective the country allowed Hamas militant group to attack Israel on the fateful day of October 7 last year. Also Read | China is making robotic dogs which can shoot. Here's what it means in a warring world This controversy prompted Labour to retract its support for Ali. “We understand that these are highly unusual circumstances, but it is vital that any candidate put forward by Labour fully represents its aims and values,” the party said in a statement. Watch | Texas' smokehouse creek fire rages on × However, he continued to remain on the ballot because by the time nominations had closed. Ali garnered only 2,402 votes, finishing fourth. (With inputs from agencies)

'This is for Gaza': Pro-Palestinian George Galloway after winning UK's Rochdale by-election

In a big jolt to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak UK's opposition Labour Party delivered two crushing by-election defeats to the ruling conservatives. Watch to know more.

UK's Labour Party wins two  by-elections in Kingswood and Wellingborough

Big win is being projected for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan in the Sunday by-polls that were conducted on eight national assembly and three provincial assembly seats.

Pakistan by-elections: Former PM Imran Khan leading in 6 national assembly seats

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Madras High Court Stays Bypolls to 5 Seats

UK: PM Keir Starmer Vows To Fight On To Next Poll

AAP's Gopal Italia wins Gujarat's Visavadar bypoll in 2025— know who he is

'This is for Gaza': Pro-Palestinian George Galloway after winning UK's Rochdale by-election

UK's Labour Party wins two by-elections in Kingswood and Wellingborough

Pakistan by-elections: Former PM Imran Khan leading in 6 national assembly seats