The Election Commission of India on Wednesday said it has begun preparations to hold the Vice-Presidential election. As the first step in that direction, the poll panel has initiated the process of constituting the electoral college, comprising lawmakers from both Houses of Parliament. The Vice-Presidential poll needs to be held as soon as possible following the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar from the post.
“Something fishy,” says Kharge
Meanwhile, the opposition is raising questions over the sudden resignation of the Vice-President. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has said there is something fishy about the development. He has also called on the government to come clean on the matter.
Parliament disrupted over Bihar SIR
Proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were once again disrupted, as the opposition continued protesting against the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. Both Houses witnessed noisy scenes, leading to adjournments.
Several MPs from the opposition INDIA bloc also protested in the Parliament complex. The opposition has accused the Election Commission of attempting to rig the upcoming Bihar polls through the voter roll revision, an allegation the poll body has denied.
Trump reiterates India-Pak claim
US President Donald Trump has once again claimed that he stopped a recent "war" between India and Pakistan. Trump also said the conflict between the two neighbours "was probably going to end up in a nuclear war".
In a conversation with the US President in June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asserted that India has never accepted third-party mediation, and never will. Despite that conversation, President Trump continues to repeat his claims.
US-Japan trade deal
The United States has signed a trade deal with Japan, ahead of the first August deadline for new Trump-era tariffs. Under the deal, the US will impose a 15% tax on imported Japanese goods, a significant relief from the previously proposed 25% rate.
Announcing the agreement, President Trump also said Japan would invest 550 billion dollars in the US and “open” its economy to American automobiles and rice.
Wonderful Wednesday
It was a mid-week cheer for Indian equities, with Dalal Street witnessing a surge on Wednesday. The Sensex gained over half a per cent, inching closer to 83,000. The Nifty also saw a solid rebound, ending the day above 25,200.
