The Congress on Thursday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "using" Governor Satya Pal Malik to dissolve the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly "illegally and unconstitutionally".

In a dramatic development, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was dissolved on Wednesday night after three mainstream parties came together to stake claim to form a government that was countered by Peoples Conference leader Sajad Lone with the BJP's backing.

Apparently preparing to hold early polls in Telangana along with four other states in December, the Election Commission on Friday decided to send a team of officials to Hyderabad on September 11 for making an assessment of the poll preparedness of the machinery in the state where the ruling party has sought early elections by dissolving the assembly.

The upcoming Assembly elections in four states that will set the trend for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls are likely to figure prominently in the two-day BJP National Executive meet beginning here on Saturday.

Apparently preparing to hold early polls in Telangana along with four other states in December, the Election Commission on Friday decided to send a team of officials to Hyderabad on September 11 for making an assessment of the poll preparedness of the machinery in the state where the ruling party has sought early elections by dissolving the assembly.

The Election Commission on Friday decided to send a team of officials to Hyderabad on September 11 for making an assessment of the poll preparedness of the machinery in the state where the ruling party has sought early elections by dissolving the assembly.

The Congress in Telangana received a big jolt on Friday as its senior leader and former Andhra Pradesh Assembly Speaker K.R. Suresh Reddy joined the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS).

Ahead of the full meeting of the Election Commission, Chief Election Commissioner O.P. Rawat on Friday appeared to hint at the possibility of holding Assembly elections in Telangana along with the polls due in four other states in December this year.

Reacting sharply to Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao's remark describing Rahul Gandhi as the country's "biggest buffoon", the Congress on Thursday hit back calling Rao a dictator.

Telangana is heading for early elections as the state Assembly was dissolved on Thursday by the Governor on a recommendation by the state cabinet and in a swift move the ruling TRS announced almost all candidates.