Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said India secured the “best possible” trade deal with the United States under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, outperforming agreements by neighbouring and competing economies. He described the deal as a major diplomatic success achieved through months of negotiations, strengthening India’s global economic position and benefiting sectors like agriculture, dairy, MSMEs, IT, textiles and leather. Goyal also sharply criticised the Opposition, especially Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, for creating disruptions in the Lok Sabha amid the debate on the deal. (PC: India Today)

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission after a 90-minute meeting with CEC Gyanesh Kumar, alleging mass voter deletions during the Special Intensive Revision exercise. She accused the poll panel of acting as "BJP's IT cell," claiming 58 lakh voters were removed without hearings over minor spelling variations in Bengali surnames. Banerjee questioned why BJP-ruled Assam was exempt from SIR while Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu faced scrutiny. She alleged the CEC "misbehaved" and provided "garbage of lies," eventually walking out. The EC countered, citing TMC leaders' threatening language and vandalization of election offices, asserting rule of law would prevail. 

The Lok Sabha was adjourned after a heated exchange when Rahul Gandhi quoted from an unpublished memoir of former Army chief M. M. Naravane during his speech on the Motion of Thanks. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh objected and said, “The book has not been published. He cannot claim to quote from it.” Home Minister Amit Shah said unpublished material cannot be cited in the House. Speaker Om Birla supported the objection and cited parliamentary rules. Gandhi said a magazine report carried “100% genuine” excerpts. Opposition MPs protested as treasury benches demanded rule compliance. The House was adjourned after repeated disruptions. (PC: India Today)

The government rejected opposition criticism of Union Budget 2026 and asked for a debate based on “facts and figures”. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said allegations over market losses and scheme renaming lack substance. She said rural development spending has increased and allocations support welfare goals. Market weakness on Budget day was linked by officials to the higher securities transaction tax on futures and options trades. The renaming of the rural jobs scheme to Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Abhiyan triggered political protests. Opposition leaders called it ideological. The government said the focus remains on delivery and funding, not labels or narratives. (PC: X)

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlined a three-duty framework as the main theme of Union Budget 2026 during her speech in Parliament. She said the government’s financial planning rests on three kartavya, or duties. The first is to accelerate and sustain economic growth by improving competitiveness. The second is to meet the aspirations of citizens. The third is to ensure every family, community and region gets access to resources and opportunities. Sitharaman said this approach needs a supportive ecosystem and described the budget as driven by youth power. This is her ninth consecutive budget under the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (PC: HT)

Sunetra Pawar on Friday took oath as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister, days after the death of her husband and NCP leader Ajit Pawar in a plane crash. She was unanimously elected leader of the NCP Legislature Party earlier in the day. The proposal was sent to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and cleared by the Governor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated her after the oath ceremony. Sharad Pawar said he was not aware of the decision in advance and clarified he is not directly involved in reunification talks. Party sources said the move was aimed at projecting Sunetra Pawar as Ajit Pawar’s political successor. (PC: X)

Rajya Sabha member Sunetra Pawar was unanimously elected leader of the Nationalist Congress Party legislature wing in Maharashtra on Saturday. The decision came three days after the death of her husband and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash near Baramati. Senior leaders proposed her name at a meeting held at Ajit Pawar’s office in Mumbai. Sunetra Pawar is expected to take oath later in the day as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister. She entered active politics in 2024, contested the Baramati Lok Sabha seat, and was later elected to the Rajya Sabha. The party said the move aims to ensure continuity during a period of transition. (PC: India Today)

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said the Mahayuti alliance will support any decision taken by the Nationalist Congress Party on the vacant Deputy Chief Minister post. “We will support whatever decision the NCP takes,” Fadnavis said. His statement comes ahead of Sunetra Pawar’s expected oath-taking as Deputy CM. She is the widow of late Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash. NCP sources said Sunetra Pawar may take oath on Saturday and continue holding key portfolios.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Friday said he was not consulted about Sunetra Pawar taking oath as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister. “I have no information about it. Her party must have decided,” he said. Pawar added that he learnt about it only through newspapers. He also said talks on merging the two NCP factions have been paused after the death of Ajit Pawar. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “We will support whatever decision the NCP takes.” Sunetra Pawar is expected to take oath after a party meeting in Mumbai. (PC: PTI)

Sunetra Pawar, wife of late Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, will be sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister Saturday at 5 pm, sources confirm. She accepted the proposal and will hold Excise and Sports portfolios previously managed by her husband. The Finance portfolio temporarily remains with CM Devendra Fadnavis for the March budget session before transferring to NCP. Senior NCP leaders proposed Sunetra's elevation ahead of February 7 Pune Zilla Parishad elections. Family discussions preceded her acceptance. Ajit Pawar, 66, died Wednesday when his chartered aircraft crashed at Baramati airport, killing all five aboard. His last rites occurred Thursday with full state honors, attended by Amit Shah, Sharad Pawar, and other dignitaries. (PC: PTI)