A controversy has started after Rahul Gandhi showed a hardbound copy of former Army chief MM Naravane’s memoir, which has not been officially released. The book, Four Stars of Destiny, was earlier put on hold as it was under Defence Ministry review. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had said the book was not published. Reports say some printed copies had briefly reached bookstores before being recalled. The publisher has not publicly clarified the printing status. Sources told media that Gandhi may have received the copy from the author or publisher. Officials say manuscripts are often shared for review, but printed copies before clearance are unusual. (PC: India Today)

A social media video posted by the Assam unit of the Himanta Biswa Sarma’s party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, has triggered strong opposition criticism after it showed the chief minister symbolically firing at men identified with Muslim imagery. The clip carried the words “point blank shot” and other slogans. It was later deleted after backlash. Opposition parties, including the Indian National Congress, called the video “deeply disturbing” and alleged it encouraged violence. Congress leaders said removing the post was “not enough” and demanded action. Trinamool Congress leaders also called it incitement. The BJP has not issued a detailed public response after deleting the video.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has officially nominated senior corporator Ritu Tawde as its candidate for Mayor of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), ending nearly four years without an elected civic chief after the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance’s strong showing in the recent municipal elections. Tawde, a three-time corporator with experience in civic administration, will contest the mayoral election scheduled for February 11. As part of the alliance agreement, the Shiv Sena has named Sanjay Ghadi as its candidate for Deputy Mayor, with his term expected to last about 15 months. (PC: PTI)

CCTV footage shows a masked man in a black hoodie walking up to AAP leader Lucky Oberoi’s car and firing multiple shots at close range in Jalandhar’s Model Town area. The incident took place outside a gurdwara on Friday morning. Police said Oberoi, 38, was sitting in his SUV when the attacker opened fire and then fled. Window glass of the vehicle was shattered. Another parked car was also damaged. Oberoi was taken to hospital in critical condition and later declared dead. An ACP said he had “sustained critical injuries and could not be revived.” Police secured the area and started an investigation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused Congress of having an "anti-Sikh mindset" after Rahul Gandhi called BJP MP Ravneet Singh Bittu a "traitor" outside Parliament. Modi stated in Rajya Sabha, "They called him a traitor because he was a Sikh...this was an insult to all Sikhs." The incident occurred when Gandhi confronted Bittu, a former Congress MP who joined BJP in March 2024, offering a handshake Bittu refused while calling Gandhi "enemy of India." Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri condemned the remarks as crossing "all boundaries of civility." Modi also accused Congress of insulting President Droupadi Murmu, Dalits, and Northeastern communities, stating "disrespecting people seems ingrained in Congress party's behavior." 

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appeared in person before the Supreme Court to argue against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls. Wearing a white sari and black shawl, she said the colour marked protest over “more than 100 SIR-related deaths.” Banerjee told the bench she came as an “ordinary person” after sending six unanswered letters to the Election Commission. She alleged the SIR drive was being used “only for deletion” and not fair verification. She raised concerns over micro-observers and mismatch rules affecting women after marriage. The court issued notice to the Election Commission and asked the state to ensure enough officers for verification work. (PC: India Today)

Lok Sabha was adjourned minutes before the Prime Minister’s planned address after protests by opposition MPs intensified near the treasury benches. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari claimed several women opposition MPs entered the well and moved close to the Prime Minister’s chair despite appeals to return. “They climbed up to that area. They created a huge ruckus,” he said. Slogans were raised and banners were shown during the protest. A verbal clash also took place near BJP MP Nishikant Dubey. Ministers urged members to step back. Congress MP Deepender Hooda later asked both sides to return to their seats. Opposition leaders said the Prime Minister avoided the House. (PC: India Today)

A sharp exchange took place outside Parliament between Rahul Gandhi and Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu after Gandhi called his former aide a “traitor.” The incident happened when the two crossed paths near the complex. Gandhi pointed at Bittu and said, “Here is a traitor walking right by,” and added, “Don’t worry, you will come back,” while offering a handshake. Bittu refused. He later said the Congress believes it alone represents patriotism. He also accused the party and the Gandhi family of being “enemies of the country.” BJP leaders later addressed a press meet and criticised Gandhi’s remark as unacceptable. (PC: HT)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not deliver his planned reply to the Motion of Thanks in the Lok Sabha after repeated disruptions led to adjournments. Opposition protests continued over Rahul Gandhi’s demand to quote from former Army chief MM Naravane’s unpublished memoir. The situation worsened after BJP MP Nishikant Dubey began referring to books about the Gandhi family despite objections from the Chair. Protesting members raised slogans and the House was adjourned again. Rahul Gandhi later said, “PM Modi won’t come to Parliament because he is scared.” Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also claimed the Prime Minister avoided the House. Congress MPs also staged a protest outside Parliament. (PC: NDTV)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state caused severe stress and led to over 150 deaths. She said the deaths included a Booth Level Officer who faced pressure from officials. Arguing before a bench led by the Chief Justice, Banerjee said Bengal was being unfairly targeted before Assembly elections. She alleged large-scale deletion of voter names without proper appeals. She accused the Election Commission of India of ignoring her letters. The court issued notice to the poll body and sought its reply by February 10. (PC: X)