Morning Brief: Trudeau's Grip On Power Weakens Amidst Full-Blown Party Revolt; Cyclone Dana Makes Landfall; Four Killed In Terror Attack On Army Convoy

Dear reader, make sense of the day’s news with Swarajya's roundup of what’s making headlines this morning. 

Trudeau's Grip On Power Weakens Amidst Full-Blown Party Revolt

All the theatrics against India have failed to save Justin Trudeau, who now faces a full-blown rebellion within his own party. Twenty-four Liberal Party MPs have demanded he step down by October 28, with some publicly calling for a secret vote on his leadership. The internal revolt comes amid Trudeau’s declining popularity, with a CBC poll showing the Liberals trailing 20 percent behind the Conservatives ahead of next year’s elections.

Trudeau’s unproven accusations against India over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar have been criticized as diversionary, with even India hinting that this may be the real reason behind the Canadian PM pursuing unsubstantiated claims.

According to CBC News, dissenting MPs within the Liberal caucus have been secretly meeting for weeks to strategize his ouster. Three MPs have even confirmed signing a document urging Trudeau’s resignation. If enough MPs join, the group may push for a formal vote against him within the caucus or support a no-confidence motion.

Cyclone Dana Makes Landfall

Heavy rain and gusty winds struck Odisha and West Bengal as Cyclone Dana made landfall on Thursday night, with wind speeds reaching 100 to 110 km/h in coastal districts like Bhadrak, Kendrapara, and Balasore. The India Meteorological Department forecasts that the storm will move west-northwest across north Odisha and gradually weaken into a cyclonic storm by this afternoon.

Both Odisha and West Bengal governments are on high alert due to predictions of flash floods, leading to the suspension of train and flight operations in the regions. So far, there have been no reports of major damage or casualties, although officials warn that wind speeds could reach 120 km/h when the system’s center makes landfall this morning.

Four Killed In Terror Attack On Army Convoy In Kashmir

Two civilians and two soldiers were killed when terrorists attacked an Army vehicle belonging to the 18 Rashtriya Rifles near Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir. Four soldiers were injured in the ambush, which occurred while the vehicle was en route from Botpathri, close to the Line of Control. The attack is suspected to involve Pakistan’s Border Action Team, and security forces have launched counter-operations in response.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the incident, describing it as "unfortunate." This attack comes just days after seven employees of an infrastructure company, including a doctor, were killed in a terror attack in the Valley.

Other Developments

B'Desh: Yunus Regimen Could Soon Ban Hasina's Party

The interim government in Bangladesh has banned the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League, which could signal a potential ban on the country's oldest political party from participating in future elections. Sources indicate that this decision reflects vendetta politics, suggesting the influence of the rival Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) over the interim government.

On Wednesday, the regime issued a gazette notification regarding the ban, following demands from the Student Movement Against Discrimination. BCL, founded 76 years ago, is one of the oldest organisations in South Asia and played a significant role in the country's independence movement.

The Union home ministry has revoked the Foreign Contribution Registration Act (FCRA) licence of IndustriALL Global Union's India arm, stating that such organisations do not require an FCRA licence. According to its website, IndustriALL Global Union is a coalition of international affiliates focused on mobilising against 'abuses of human and labor rights by businesses and governments'.

This decision follows major protests by labor unions in India, including one at the Samsung plant in Tamil Nadu, which have posed a challenge to the government’s investment efforts in the manufacturing sector. While the direct connection between the protests and the licence cancellation is unclear, it suggests the government's intent to protect its manufacturing initiatives from external influences.

Government Eyes Easier Loans For Small Exporters

The government is considering a new collateral-free, pre-shipment loan scheme for small and medium enterprises and e-commerce exporters to boost outbound shipments. In collaboration with financial institutions, the scheme would provide loans based on exporters' track records to cover production costs. This initiative aims to expand export credit, create new financing options, and lower interest rates for smaller exporters. The plan supports India’s goal of reaching $2 trillion in exports by 2030.

From The States

Maharashtra: Pawar's Grandnephew To Face Uncle Ajit in Baramati

The Baramati Assembly seat in Maharashtra is set for a fierce electoral battle as Yugendra Pawar, the grandnephew of Sharad Pawar, runs against his uncle, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. At 32, Yugendra has been actively building his political base, notably supporting Supriya Sule in her recent Lok Sabha campaign.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Sule, Sharad Pawar daughter's, defeated her sister-in-law Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar's wife, in the Baramati constituency by over 1.5 lakh votes. This contest between Yugendra and Ajit intensifies the family rivalry. The upcoming election will to be a significant showdown in the Pawar family.

UP Bypolls: BJP Takes Eight Seats, Leaves One for RLD

The BJP has announced candidates for eight assembly by-poll seats in UP, leaving the Meerapur seat for the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), as it was previously held by RLD. Sanjeev Sharma, BJP's Ghaziabad city president, will contest from Ghaziabad, following MLA Atul Garg’s move to the Lok Sabha. The BJP has also nominated Anujesh Yadav, brother-in-law of Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav, for the Karhal seat, aiming to turn it into a family contest against SP's Tej Pratap Yadav. Surendra Diler, son of former Hathras MP Rajveer Diler, has been fielded from the Khair seat.

Together, BJP and RLD have balanced the caste representation among their candidates, with five OBC, three SC, and one general category candidate.

Ground Report From Gorakhpur

Swarajya's Ankit Saxena recently spent a few days in Gorakhpur, the home turf of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, exploring the state government's efforts to reduce encephalitis deaths. With fatalities approaching zero, Yogi's next challenge is to address the residual disabilities affecting children. Read the full report here.

Stay tuned for more insights throughout the day.