India Likely To Cut Russian Oil Imports; Tejashwi Announced As MGB CM Face; And More

Kick-start your morning with Swarajya’s Morning Brief – your news fix, curated for clarity and insight.

Indian Refiners Likely To Avoid Russian Oil After US Sanctions On Firms

According to reports in the press, Indian refiners are scrambling to replace Russian crude supplies after Washington imposed sanctions on major exporters Rosneft and Lukoil, threatening to disrupt global oil markets. The measures could remove 3.1 million barrels daily from international trade, with a third of them, close to a million barrels, destined for India.

Indian refiners now face seeking costlier alternatives from West Asia, the US, and Brazil.

The impact hits hardest at Reliance Industries, sourcing half its crude from Russia, and Nayara Energy, entirely dependent on Russian barrels. Indian state firms also hold over $1 billion in trapped dividends from sanctioned joint ventures.

Defence Ministry Approves Rs 79,000 Crore Military Procurement Package

The Defence Acquisition Council, led by Rajnath Singh, approved capital acquisitions worth Rs 79,000 crore on 23 October to bolster India's military capabilities across all services.

The Indian Army will receive the Nag Missile System Mk-II for destroying armoured vehicles, Ground Based Mobile ELINT Systems for electronic intelligence, and High Mobility Vehicles for logistic support in difficult terrain.

The Navy's approvals include Landing Platform Docks for amphibious operations and humanitarian missions, indigenously-developed Advanced Light Weight Torpedoes capable of engaging submarines, and 30mm naval guns with smart ammunition.

The Air Force will acquire the Collaborative Long Range Target Saturation/Destruction System featuring autonomous capabilities for precision strikes.

Other developments

Election Commission Can Announce Nationwide SIR Soon

The Election Commission may soon announce a phased nationwide Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, with over 10 states and one Union Territory in the first phase, including election-bound Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, and Puducherry.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar led a two-day conference concluding 23 October, assessing preparedness across states. The rollout will prioritise states with 2026 Assembly elections, while those facing harsh winter weather or local body polls will follow later.

The commission will finalise schedules after internal deliberations and communicate decisions to all Chief Electoral Officers.

Supreme Court: Minors Can Challenge Property Sales Without Lawsuit After Turning 18

The Supreme Court ruled 23 October that minors can repudiate property transactions made by parents or guardians without court permission, simply through clear actions after reaching adulthood.

Justice Mithal stated minors can cancel "voidable transactions" either by filing suit or through "unequivocal conduct" like selling the property themselves.

The judgment arose from K S Shivappa vs Smt K Neelamma, involving two Karnataka plots purchased in 1971 by Rudrappa for his three minor sons. He later sold them without court approval. After reaching majority, the sons sold the same plots to Shivappa, triggering ownership disputes with earlier buyers.

The court clarified formal lawsuits aren't mandatory, particularly when minors remain unaware of original sales or retain possession, allowing straightforward repudiation through decisive action.

States Seek Relief as Centre Tightens Borrowing Limits: Report

A report in an economic daily claimed that several states including Kerala, Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra have approached the Union finance ministry requesting relaxation of borrowing limits, following new restrictions on off-budget borrowings, power discom dues, and guarantee redemption fund contributions.

While states can borrow up to 3 per cent of GSDP, plus 0.5 per cent for reforms, additional conditions imposed this year have significantly curtailed their borrowing headroom.

The Centre defends the restrictions as necessary to curb fiscal indiscipline, noting guidelines were communicated in advance.

Over 25 Killed as Hyderabad-Bengaluru Bus Catches Fire in Kurnool

Over 25 passengers died and several were injured when a luxury sleeper bus caught fire near Chinnatekuru village, Kurnool district, early today after colliding with a motorbike around 3:30 a.m.

The bus, carrying approximately 40 passengers, erupted in flames that rapidly spread, causing the fuel tank to explode. Trapped passengers, mostly asleep, faced chaos amid thick smoke. Some escaped through emergency exits with minor injuries.

Heavy rain hampered rescue efforts by locals. The driver and cleaner were reported to have fled the scene.

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy and Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu expressed condolences, ordering relief measures and helpline establishment.

Bihar election corner

Tejashwi Yadav Named Mahagathbandhan's CM Candidate for Bihar Polls

After intense deliberations, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav was officially declared the Mahagathbandhan's chief ministerial candidate for Bihar elections on Thursday, 23 October, with VIP chief Mukesh Sahani as deputy CM candidate.

Congress troubleshooter Ashok Gehlot announced the decision, stating another backward class leader would also become deputy CM if the alliance wins.

Contesting from Raghopur, Tejashwi thanked the Gandhis for their support, vowing to remove the NDA's "double engine government" of "corruption and crime."

However, seat-sharing disputes persist, with overlapping nominations in 12 constituencies. RJD fielded 143 candidates, Congress 61, with remaining seats shared among CPI(ML), VIP and smaller allies.

With 23 October marking the withdrawal deadline for phase two, unresolved overlaps could split votes, benefiting the NDA.

Bihar votes on November 6 and 11, with results on November 14.

PM Modi Invokes 'Jungle Raj' in Bihar Poll Campaign

Prime Minister Narendra Modi told BJP workers on Thursday, 23 October, that Bihar's people would "never forget" the Opposition's "jungle raj" era, referring to Lalu Prasad's 1990s RJD rule.

During an audio-conference, Modi urged workers to arrange meetings where elderly citizens could share experiences with youth about those days. He criticized Opposition alliance leaders facing corruption charges, asking how they could serve Bihar while out on bail.

PM Modi promised Bihar would become a technology hub with district-level startups, eliminating youth migration.

"Today there is no jungle raj but rule of public trust," Modi said, crediting Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for bringing Bihar "out of darkness."

You’re all caught up—until next time.