The United Democratic Party (UDP) is a regional political party based in Meghalaya, India, founded in 1997 by E.K. Mawlong. The party's ideology revolves around regionalism and populism, aiming to restore Meghalaya's prestige and provide an effective, corruption-free government. It was formed through the merger of three regional parties: The Hill State People’s Democratic Party, The Hill People Union, and The Public Demand Implementation Convention. The UDP's election symbol, the drum, symbolizes announcing good news, celebration, and harmony, reflecting the party's promise to bring positivity to Meghalaya.
Donkupar Roy currently leads the UDP and previously served as Meghalaya's Chief Minister from 2008 to 2009 as part of the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance. He is also the Leader of Opposition in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, representing the ST-reserved Shella Assembly constituency. The UDP's formation marked a significant moment in Meghalaya's political landscape, unifying various regional voices under one banner to pursue the state's development and welfare.
The Congress party has selected VD Satheesan as the next Chief Minister of Kerala, following the United Democratic Front's assembly election victory. The six-time MLA will take the oath of office on May 18.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, Kerala Chief Minister-elect VD Satheesan expressed his gratitude to the Congress leadership and said he dedicates his chief ministership to the people of Kerala.
Ten days after securing a massive mandate in the Kerala assembly elections, the Congress party has yet to finalise its Chief Minister.
The National Testing Agency has cancelled the NEET UG 2026 medical entrance examination following widespread allegations of a paper leak.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor discusses the Congress party's decisive victory in Kerala and the broader national political landscape.
The United Democratic Front is set to form the next government in Kerala, securing a massive victory by leading in over a hundred seats.
In West Bengal, Phase 2 of the assembly elections recorded a 92.10 percent voter turnout, driven by intense political mobilisation and high participation among women voters.
The Axis My India exit poll has predicted a clear victory for the Congress-led United Democratic Front in the Kerala Assembly elections.
Former MP Pavan K. Varma discussed the significant political transition in Bihar following the resignation of Nitish Kumar as the state's longest-serving Chief Minister .
Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is set to become the next Chief Minister following the resignation of the outgoing Chief Minister, who moves to the Rajya Sabha.
Nitish Kumar has resigned as Bihar Chief Minister and submitted his resignation to the Governor at Raj Bhavan in Patna.
The Indian Political League – an India Today special report – breaks down the high-stakes assembly elections in Kerala and Assam. In Kerala, the incumbent Chief Minister, representing the Left Democratic Front, aims for an unprecedented third consecutive term, pivoting from a traditional ideological stance to a corporate governance model.
In this episode of Elections On My Plate, India Today's Consulting Editor, Rajdeep Sardesai, brings this ground report from Battleground Kerala as it gears up for assembly elections on April 9.
In Kerala, Congress and the Left Democratic Front are locked in a fierce electoral battle despite being allies in the national India Alliance.
On this Special Report, the focus is on the political developments in Kerala as Congress MP Shashi Tharoor signals a peace pact with the party high command. Following a meeting with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Tharoor reaffirmed his commitment to the party, stating, 'These are my two leaders, the Congress president on the one hand and the leader of the opposition in my own House of Parliament, the Lok Sabha'. The meeting aimed to resolve reported unease and coordination issues ahead of the crucial Kerala Assembly elections scheduled for April and May. Tharoor is set to play a pivotal role in the UDF campaign, with plans to visit all 140 constituencies in the state. The leadership has assured Tharoor of due recognition and involvement in key decision-making processes, ending a period of friction and setting the stage for a united front in the upcoming polls.
On this Special Report, the focus is on the internal dynamics of the Congress party following a high-level strategy meeting in Delhi. Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala addressed the absence of Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor from the session, which was attended by Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi to discuss Kerala poll preparedness. Chennithala clarified the situation, stating, 'Mr. Shashi Tharoor had a program in Calicut. It's a Kerala Literary Forum program. He has fixed it much earlier.' He dismissed speculations of a rift or internal discord, asserting that Tharoor remains a committed member of the party and had recently attended events in Wayanad and Cochin. The discussion also highlighted the party's confidence in the United Democratic Front (UDF) performance, with leaders aiming to cross the 100-seat mark in the upcoming elections. The programme explores the Congress's efforts to maintain a united front amidst seat-sharing talks and campaign planning for the Kerala assembly polls.
On this India Today special report, anchor Swetha details the Congress party's strategic shift ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections. Following a high-level meeting, Swetha notes that 'Rahul Gandhi, sources said, made it clear that the chief ministerial base will be decided only after elections.' The leadership, including Mallikarjun Kharge, has reportedly warned state leaders that infighting will not be tolerated, emphasizing a united front under collective leadership. The bulletin highlights the absence of Shashi Tharoor from the strategy meet, which the party attributed to prior commitments in his constituency despite speculations of a rift. Swetha discusses how ground reports suggest the United Democratic Front (UDF) currently holds an edge over the LDF. The report also addresses the growing presence of the BJP in urban Kerala, posing a challenge to the traditional power dynamics. The Congress leadership remains confident, aiming to cross the 100-seat mark by maintaining unity and avoiding public controversies among veteran leaders.
On this special report, the focus is on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Kochi, Kerala, where he addressed party workers following the local body elections. During the 'Mahapanchayat' event, Rahul Gandhi congratulated the United Democratic Front (UDF) and Congress members for their 'superb performance' across Block Panchayats, District Panchayats, Municipalities, and Corporations. He used the platform to launch a sharp political attack on the BJP and RSS, stating, 'The BJP actually stands for centralization of power while we stand for decentralization of power.' Gandhi emphasized that the third tier of government is the foundation of the Indian democratic system and accused the BJP of refusing to listen to the voices of the people. The event served as a significant rallying cry for the party cadre as they prepare for upcoming political challenges in the state, marking a major victory in a domain where the Left traditionally holds an edge.
This special report covers the results of the Kerala local body elections. The United Democratic Front (UDF) has emerged as the dominant force, securing victories across corporations and municipalities. A significant development is the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ending the Left's 45-year rule in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, winning 50 seats. The programme discusses the political implications for the upcoming assembly elections, with the UDF seeing this as a sign of a potential sweep. Speakers analyze the shift in vote shares and the impact of anti-incumbency. The discussion also highlights the performance of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the strategic moves by various parties in the state capital. The report underscores the changing political equations in Kerala ahead of the 2026 assembly polls.
A speaker analyses the recent Kerala local body election results, highlighting a decisive win for the Congress-led UDF. The commentary notes that this victory places the UDF in a strong position ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, comparing the current trend to the 2010 results. The speaker also points out a significant achievement for the BJP in capturing the Thiruvananthapuram municipality, marking a breach in a traditionally LDF-dominated area. The discussion suggests this result is a major setback for the ruling LDF after ten years in power, indicating strong anti-incumbency sentiments. However, a warning is issued to the Congress party against overconfidence, citing recent political examples where early advantages were lost due to internal conflicts.
