Following Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's fatal plane crash Wednesday, momentum builds for merging the two Nationalist Congress Party factions, dubbed his "last wish." Aide Kiran Gujar revealed Ajit told him five days before the crash that merger processes were complete and imminent. Former minister Anil Deshmukh confirmed it was Ajit's "heartfelt wish." NCP leaders Bhujbal, Tatkare, and Munde met CM Fadnavis discussing Ajit's portfolios including Finance and Planning. Saturday's legislative party meeting may elect Ajit's wife Sunetra Pawar as NCP chief and potentially deputy CM. Ajit's faction allies with BJP-Shinde government while uncle Sharad Pawar's faction opposes them. Both recently contested civic polls together, signaling reconciliation momentum.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah leveraged the India-EU Free Trade Agreement as a campaign strategy at a Dibrugarh rally ahead of Assam Assembly polls. Shah announced that the FTA, sealed January 27, would eliminate tariffs on Assam tea exports to all 27 EU nations, significantly boosting the state's tea industry. Assam produces 52% of India's tea output, approximately 650 million kilograms projected for 2025. The deal targets Upper Assam's tea-growing communities and the Ahom population, key voting blocs where BJP has gained ground since 2014. The FTA, effective by 2027, removes duties on 99% of Indian exports by value, positioning Assam tea to compete globally against Sri Lankan, Kenyan, and Chinese producers. (PC: India Today)

The India Today-CVoter Mood of the Nation survey projects the BJP-led NDA would win 352 seats if Lok Sabha elections were held in January 2026, demonstrating sustained voter trust in PM Narendra Modi despite geopolitical tensions. The Congress-led INDIA bloc is projected at 182 seats, down from 234 in 2024 and 208 predicted in August 2025. The findings boost NDA ahead of 2026 assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry states where BJP has limited presence. In 2024 elections, BJP secured 240 seats, requiring allies JD(U) and TDP to form government, while Congress doubled its tally to 99 seats. (PC: AFP)

The Nationalist Congress Party is considering proposing Sunetra Pawar as Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister following the death of Ajit Pawar, sources said. Sunetra Pawar is currently a Rajya Sabha member. Senior party leader Narhari Zirwal told PTI that public opinion favours her induction into the state cabinet. Sources said several NCP leaders, including Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal and Dhananjay Munde, have met her as part of internal consultations. She may also contest the seat vacated by Ajit Pawar. The party is expected to discuss the proposal with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Talks on a possible NCP merger may follow later. (PC: India Today)

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor met party president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi in Parliament on Thursday. The meeting lasted about 90 minutes. Afterward, Tharoor said the discussion was constructive and that all sides were moving together on the same page. The meeting followed reports of strain between Tharoor and the party after his recent remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his absence from some key party meetings. Sources said Tharoor sought the meeting to share his views and concerns. They added the party would try to address these issues ahead of the Kerala assembly election later this year. (PC: NDTV)

West Bengal Chief Minister **Mamata Banerjee has sharply criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, warning that if he tries to “hurt” her, she will “become dangerous,” amid growing tensions over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Banerjee accused the BJP-led central government and the Election Commission of India (ECI) of harassing Bengali-speaking citizens, claiming people face discrimination and suffering in BJP-ruled states for speaking Bengali. She also condemned the SIR process as causing undue distress and stripping people of voter rights. Banerjee’s remarks reflect escalating political conflict ahead of upcoming elections. (PC: PTI)

The death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash has created uncertainty within the Nationalist Congress Party. Attention has now shifted to his wife, Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha MP. Though she stayed away from frontline politics for years, she entered active politics in 2024 and later joined the Upper House. Sunetra Pawar has strong political and social links in Baramati and Marathwada. She also heads educational, business, and environmental initiatives. Party leaders say sympathy and her family standing may place her at the centre of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction, even as questions remain over future leadership and unity. (PC: India Today)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday hinted at possible foul play in the plane crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and demanded a Supreme Court-monitored investigation. Speaking to the media, Banerjee said the incident raised serious questions about the safety of political leaders. She said only a probe under the Supreme Court’s supervision would be credible and added that she trusted no other agency. Banerjee said she was shocked by Pawar’s death and called it a major loss. Several opposition leaders also sought a proper and transparent investigation while offering condolences to Pawar’s family. The aircraft crashed near Baramati during a landing attempt. (PC: India Today, X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed grief over the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who was killed in a plane crash in Baramati. In a post on X, Modi described Pawar as “a leader of the people” with a strong grassroots connect. He said Pawar was respected for his hard work and service to Maharashtra. Calling the death shocking and saddening, the Prime Minister offered condolences to Pawar’s family and supporters. The charter aircraft crashed while attempting to land in the Baramati area of Pune district. All five people on board were killed, officials said. An investigation into the crash is underway. (PC: X)

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.