The Karnataka Wine Merchants’ Association has accused the Congress government in Karnataka of a ₹6,000-crore excise scam. The association said corruption took place under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s rule. It plans to write to Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. The body claimed CL-7 bar licences in Bengaluru cost up to ₹2 crore. Excise Minister RB Timmapur rejected the claims and said there is no proof. He said he will answer the charges in the Assembly.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi did not wear a North-Eastern patka at the Republic Day ‘At Home Reception’ at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, sources said. The event followed a North-East theme.   Sources claimed President Droupadi Murmu asked Gandhi twice to wear the patka, but he declined. Pictures showed him holding it instead. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was seen wearing it.   The Congress called the claims “fake drama” and accused the BJP of politicising the President’s house. The BJP said Gandhi insulted the culture of the North-East.

A college professor was stabbed to death at Malad Railway Station in Mumbai, police said on Saturday. The victim, Alok Singh, taught at a college in Vile Parle. The attack followed a brief argument inside a local train over boarding and alighting at the gate. After the train stopped, the dispute continued on the platform. The accused, identified as 27-year-old Omkar Shinde, allegedly stabbed Singh several times and fled. Government Railway Police used CCTV footage from the station to trace the suspect. He was later arrested from Vasai. Police are probing whether other factors led to the attack. (PC: NDTV)

Rashtriya Janata Dal founder Lalu Prasad Yadav has appointed Tejashwi Yadav as the party’s national working president. The decision was announced at the opening session of the RJD national executive meeting in Patna. Lalu Yadav formally handed over the appointment letter in the presence of senior party leaders. Tejashwi Yadav, a former Bihar deputy chief minister, has led the party in recent elections and is seen as its main leader. The RJD said the move aims to strengthen the party’s organisation and outreach. Tejashwi earlier led the RJD to emerge as the largest party in the 2020 Bihar Assembly polls. (PC: NDTV)

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has decided not to attend an important party meeting called by senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge to discuss Kerala assembly poll preparations, sources told NDTV on Friday. Tharoor is reportedly upset over a perceived lack of respect during Gandhi’s recent visit to Kochi, where issues around speaking order and recognition left him feeling sidelined. The four‑time MP from Thiruvananthapuram has had growing friction with the party leadership, drawing attention for comments seen as favorable to the BJP and sparking internal unease. 

Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot walked out of the state Assembly on Thursday after reading only two lines of his customary address. The move came amid a fresh disagreement between Raj Bhavan and the state government. Officials said the governor objected to parts of the government-drafted speech. He reportedly wanted 11 paragraphs removed, citing references critical of the Centre and its policies. When the changes were not made, Gehlot concluded the address early and left the House. A video of the brief address circulated widely. The incident adds to a series of recent disputes between governors and elected state governments across the country over legislative procedures and content of official addresses.

The contest for the Mumbai mayor’s post has intensified after Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde said the post should go to his Shiv Sena faction. He said it would be a “mark of respect” for party founder Bal Thackeray in his birth centenary year. The demand follows the BJP-led Mahayuti winning a majority in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged that phones of BJP and Shiv Sena corporators were being tapped and that elected members were kept under watch. The BJP rejected the charge and denied any surveillance. No party has an outright majority in the 227-member civic body. (PC: HT)

Nitin Nabin on Tuesday took charge as the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party at the party headquarters in New Delhi. He succeeds J P Nadda, who held the post since 2020. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with senior leaders including Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, attended the ceremony. Several chief ministers from BJP-ruled states were also present. The leadership change comes ahead of key Assembly elections in multiple states. At 45, Nitin Nabin becomes the youngest leader to head the party and will lead it into the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. (PC: X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused the Trinamool Congress government of blocking central schemes and aiding infiltrators in West Bengal. Addressing a BJP rally in Singur, Modi alleged that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was compromising national security. He claimed the state government was not cooperating with the Centre on border fencing and was protecting those involved in illegal infiltration. Modi also said central welfare schemes, including Ayushman Bharat, were not being properly implemented due to TMC’s actions. He urged voters to support the Bharatiya Janata Party in the upcoming elections. (PC: PTI)

US Congressman Rich McCormick said India brings money, talent, and investment to the United States, unlike Pakistan. Speaking at an event hosted by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, he said India both receives and sends investment to the US. McCormick described India as a growing and influential country, driven by a rising middle class and strong talent base. He warned that pushing India away could harm American interests. Democratic Congressman Ami Bera said trade frictions exist, but both nations remain committed to long-term strategic and economic ties. He added that US companies continue to invest heavily in India. (PC: NDTV)