Morning Brief: First Phase Of Voting In Jharkhand Election Today; India Conducts First Test Of Long-Range Cruise Missile; Retail Inflation Hits 14-Month High In October

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

First Phase Of Voting In Jharkhand Election Today

The first phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections is set for today, November 13, covering 43 of the state’s 81 constituencies. Voters across 15 districts will head to the polls from 7 am to 5 pm, with 683 candidates competing for legislative seats, including 17 general, 20 reserved for Scheduled Tribes, and six reserved for Scheduled Castes. The remaining constituencies in Jharkhand are scheduled to vote in a second phase seven days later, coinciding with the Maharashtra elections for all 288 seats.

In Jharkhand, the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), a key player in the opposition INDIA bloc, faces the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The NDA’s allies for this election include the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) and Janata Dal (United). Meanwhile, the INDI Alliance comprises JMM, Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal, and several Left parties, setting the stage for a significant contest in the state.

Indian Conducts First Test Of Long Range Cruise Missile

India successfully conducted the first flight-test of the Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) on Tuesday. LRLACM are a key addition to modern military arsenals, enabling long-distance strikes against strategic targets from stand-off distances, meaning the missile can be launched far from the target, keeping the launch platform and the personnel operating it safely out of harm’s way. 

These missiles are typically subsonic and can follow terrain-hugging flight paths, making them harder to detect and intercept, thus allowing for an advantage in penetrating enemy defences. The LRLACM is a completely indigenous project. The missile’s components, except for a few sensors and accelerometers, are sourced locally. 

Retail Inflation Hits 14-Month High Of 6.2 Per Cent In October

Retail inflation in India hit a 14-month high of 6.2 per cent in October, driven by rising food prices, surpassing the Reserve Bank of India’s upper tolerance band. Food and beverages inflation rose to 9.7 per cent, with significant increases in vegetables, cereals, fruits, oils, and fats. This surge in food prices has slowed demand in urban areas, with some consumer goods companies reporting reduced sales.

The National Statistical Office data showed CPI inflation rose from 5.5 per cent in September to 6.2 per cent in October. Rural inflation was higher at 6.7 per cent, while urban inflation stood at 5.6 per cent. The food price index rose to 10.9 per cent, with vegetables up 42.2 per cent and oils and fats increasing by 9.5 per cent.

Other Developments

NTPC Green Energy Targets $12 Billion Valuation In IPO

NTPC Green Energy, a clean energy arm of state-owned NTPC, is targeting a valuation of approximately $12 billion in its upcoming IPO.

The company has discussed pricing the IPO at over Rs 100 per share with advisers, potentially raising up to Rs 10,000 crore from the sale. NTPC Green Energy focuses on utility-scale renewable power projects and aims to use Rs 7,500 crore of the net proceeds to repay the debt of its subsidiary, NTPC Renewable Energy.

This IPO could mark one of India’s largest in the renewable energy sector, reflecting a surge of investor interest in sustainable projects. As India accelerates its shift towards cleaner energy sources, NTPC Green Energy's offering is expected to attract substantial attention from investors eager to support the country’s energy transition.

SC Verdict On 'Bulldozer Justice' Today

The Supreme Court is set to deliver its judgment on today, providing pan-India guidelines for the use of bulldozers by state governments as a punitive measure. The ruling will address demolitions of houses or shops of individuals immediately after they are named as accused in criminal cases. A bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Vishwanathan is expected to issue mandatory guidelines for states to follow before resorting to such demolitions. The case was brought to the court by Jamiat Ulama I Hind and others. The court had concluded its hearing on the matter on October 1.

Donald Trump has tapped Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a new effort called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), aimed at reshaping US bureaucracy.

While not an official government agency, DOGE will work closely with the White House and Office of Management & Budget to drive structural reform across federal departments. Trump praised Musk as "great" and Ramaswamy as an "American patriot" and said their leadership would help dismantle bureaucracy and streamline government. The department's mission will be to reduce excess regulations, cut waste, and create an entrepreneurial approach to governance.

China Unveils J-35 Stealth Fighter

China has revealed its latest stealth fighter, the J-35A, at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, marking a key step in the nation's military modernization. The land-based J-35A was showcased with a five-minute aerial demonstration, and a model of a carrier-based version was also displayed. While details on the fighter’s capabilities remain limited, analysts view its unveiling as part of China’s strategy to challenge US air dominance, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region and around Taiwan. The biennial air show is one of Asia’s largest military aircraft exhibitions.

From The States

Ajit Pawar Says Gautam Adani Was Part Of 2019 BJP-NCP Talks

Ajit Pawar has revealed that industrialist Gautam Adani was involved in political talks between the BJP and the undivided Sharad Pawar-led NCP five years ago, just before the formation of a short-lived government in Maharashtra in 2019.

Pawar mentioned that key figures such as Amit Shah, Adani, Praful Patel, Devendra Fadnavis, and Sharad Pawar were present during these discussions. He revealed that the power-sharing talks were decided in meetings held in Delhi at a businessman’s house.

Sharad Pawar has consistently denied any involvement in power-sharing talks with the BJP in 2019. Fadnavis had previously claimed that Pawar had several meetings with BJP leaders between 2017 and 2019, but Sharad Pawar has rejected these allegations.

Karnataka Govt's Flawed Muslim Quota Plan Crumbles

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's office clarified on Tuesday that there is no proposal to provide reservation for Muslims in public contracts for construction works, despite earlier documents suggesting such plans.

This U-turn followed a nationwide backlash, with the opposition in Karnataka, led by the, criticising the move as "reckless appeasement politics."

The controversy began when a group of Muslim Congress lawmakers petitioned Siddaramaiah on August 24, urging reservation for "economically and socially backward" Muslims under Category-2B of the OBCs.

Following this, Siddaramaiah directed the finance department to examine the petition, and by October 19, a note was prepared to amend the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act to include Category-2B Muslims for contract reservations.

Stay tuned for more insights throughout the day.