The Times of India

Speculation of a permanent merger between the two NCP factions is growing after Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule hinted at a possible reunion. Both leaders stated that the current alliance is for upcoming local body elections, with decisions on a permanent merger to be made later. This comes amid apparent cracks within the ruling Mahayuti alliance.

The Enforcement Directorate has approached the Supreme Court. It seeks an FIR against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the DGP, and the Kolkata Police Commissioner. The agency alleges obstruction and evidence tampering in a money laundering case. This involves a probe into the political consultancy firm I-PAC. The ED claims its officers were threatened and evidence was seized.

Calling the BMC polls the last election for the Marathi man, Thackeray said: If you miss this opportunity today, you will be finished. Unite for Marathi and Maharashtra. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin Raj Thackeray on Sunday mounted a joint attack on the rival BJP over what they described as fake Hindutva at a rally held ahead of the civic polls.

Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar stated that Hindutva is Hinduism in paranoia, arguing it incites fear among Hindus towards Muslims. He contrasted this with Hinduism, calling it a spiritual religion that has thrived for millennia without Hindutva's protection. BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi countered that Hindutva represents the core essence of Hinduism, or 'Hindu tattva,' and cherishing Hinduism is Hindutva.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is on a two-day visit to India, meeting PM Modi in Ahmedabad. Their agenda includes visiting Sabarmati Ashram and the International Kite Festival, followed by bilateral talks in Gandhinagar. Discussions will center on strengthening the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, focusing on trade, technology, and defense cooperation, building on recent high-level interactions.

The BJP is delaying the release of the movie Jana Nayagan with censorship objections. Normally, the censor process is completed within 2-3 days, but they are putting pressure, Elangovan told ANI.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh condemned the police's lathi charge on an NSUI 'Save MGNREGA' protest in Varanasi. The demonstration, led by NSUI president Varun Chaudhary, was met with force by the rouble-engine government. Congress workers also held a symbolic fast protesting the new rural employment act.

India has opened the first Bailey Bridge in Sri Lanka, restoring a vital link between Central and Uva provinces following Cyclone Ditwah. Constructed by the Indian Army, this 100-foot bridge is part of a $450 million reconstruction package. Over 15 more bridges are planned, alongside railway line repairs, demonstrating India's commitment to Sri Lanka's recovery.

Punjab's youth are set to benefit from Mission Pragati, a new government initiative offering free academic and physical training for competitive exams. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann announced the program, designed to support rural and meritorious students, with the first batch already enrolled. This 'youth helping youth' model aims for holistic development and increased representation in government jobs.

Delhi government has fast-tracked four major drainage projects to combat chronic waterlogging across the capital. These initiatives, including the Mundka supplementary drain and MB Road stormwater drain, aim to modernize infrastructure, ensure swift rainwater discharge into the Yamuna, and reduce pressure on the sewerage network, providing lasting relief from monsoon flooding.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi questioned the BJP government's nationalism, citing its invitation to Chinese companies despite security concerns and its silence on US President Donald Trump's alleged insults. Owaisi also criticized the Centre's asylum for Sheikh Hasina and the prolonged incarceration of Muslim youth without trial.

Public discourse on sexual violence consistently shifts blame from perpetrators to victims, focusing on women's choices and behavior rather than men's decisions. Despite widespread criticism, this regressive mindset persists across politics, courts, and families, implying women must alter their lives to prevent crimes they do not commit.

Senior DMK leader I Periyasamy has firmly ruled out any coalition government in Tamil Nadu, stating chief minister M K Stalin is resolute against sharing power with allies, including the Congress. This assertion comes as the Tamil Nadu Congress renews its demand for a share in governance ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

The Election Commission of India has approved the use of tea garden and cinchona plantation employment records as valid identity and residence documents for electoral roll revision in seven North Bengal districts.

Union minister Chirag Paswan accused the Congress and RJD of spreading a misleading narrative around government schemes like VB-G RAM G, claiming their protests would electorally benefit the NDA. Paswan defended the new scheme, emphasizing collective responsibility and improved focus on infrastructure projects, while criticizing the Congress for alleged corruption in MGNREGA.

Union home minister Amit Shah expressed confidence in the BJP's growing support in Kerala, predicting a victory in the upcoming Assembly elections. He highlighted the party's increasing vote share and recent local body successes, attributing them to dedicated workers.

India faces escalating disaster risks due to geography, climate change, and development patterns, as starkly illustrated in 2025 by devastating floods and heatwaves. While response capacity has improved, a persistent imbalance favors reactive relief over proactive preparedness, a gap highlighted by contrasting events like Cyclone Phailin and Bihar's recurring floods.

Addressing a gathering during the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, PM Modi said: Those present here, your ancestors, our ancestors, bet their lives for their faith, for their belief, for Mahadev - they sacrificed everything they had. Without taking names, PM Modi attacked the Congress-led government for whitewashing the history that encapsulates the multiple attacks by Mughal invaders on the Somnath temple.