Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday sharpened his attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress during a rally in Malda. After flagging off the Vande Bharat sleeper trains, he coined a new slogan in Bangla: “Paltano darkar, chayee BJP sarkar.”   Modi accused the government led by Mamata Banerjee of corruption and blocking central schemes like Ayushman Bharat. “A heartless and cruel government is looting public money,” he said.   With Assembly elections due soon, Modi urged voters to back the Bharatiya Janata Party, citing recent BJP wins in other states. (PC: ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday attacked the ruling Trinamool Congress at a public rally in Malda. He called the state government “extremely insensitive and ruthless”.   “The money sent for the poor is being looted,” Modi said. He claimed central schemes like Ayushman Bharat were blocked in Bengal.   Modi urged people to vote for change. “It is time to say goodbye to this cruel government,” he said. He promised jobs, flood control, and support for mango farmers if the BJP comes to power.

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance recorded a sweeping victory in Maharashtra’s municipal corporation elections, emerging as the single-largest force across the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party won 1,425 of 2,869 seats in 29 civic bodies, followed by the Shiv Sena with 399 and the NCP with 167, according to the State Election Commission. (PC: X) In the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the BJP secured 89 seats, ending decades of Thackeray-led Sena dominance. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Mahayuti is set to govern 25 civic bodies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked voters for the mandate.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis phoned state BJP president Ravindra Chavan after the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance achieved a major victory in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, breaking decades-long dominance by rival parties. Fadnavis praised Chavan’s leadership and the efforts of party workers in securing the strong mandate. He described the win as uniquely satisfying and credited the alliance’s unity and campaign strategies for the result. Fadnavis is set to address BJP workers at the party’s Mumbai headquarters, celebrating the historic outcome and urging continued momentum in future civic and state polls. 

The BJP–Shiv Sena alliance moved close to securing control of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation as vote counting continued in Mumbai. The Mahayuti crossed the halfway mark in the 227-member civic body, leading in more than 115 wards. The opposition bloc led by Shiv Sena (UBT), the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and the NCP trailed behind. Congress remained a distant player with limited early gains. Counting began at 10 am across 23 centres under tight security. Polling was held on January 15 after a delay of over three years, alongside elections to 28 other municipal bodies in Maharashtra.

Counting of votes began for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections after polling across 227 wards in Mumbai. Early results showed candidates from the BJP, Shiv Sena and Congress winning initial seats, with the Mahayuti alliance leading overall. Voter turnout stood at about 53 percent. Shiv Sena candidates won three wards, while the BJP secured two and Congress registered its first victory from Dharavi. Officials said results are being declared in phases at 23 counting centres. The polls were held after a delay of more than three years. Along with Mumbai, results are due for 28 other civic bodies across Maharashtra. (PC: HT)

The BJP-led Mahayuti is set for a big win in the Mumbai civic polls, according to the Axis My India exit poll released on Thursday. The survey predicts the alliance will win between 131 and 151 of the 227 wards in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. The Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray is expected to get 58 to 68 wards, while the Congress may secure 12 to 16. The majority mark in the BMC is 114. Voting was held after a delay of four years. The civic body has an annual budget of more than ₹74,400 crore, making it India’s richest municipal corporation.

The Supreme Court on Thursday heard the Enforcement Directorate plea on alleged interference in its raids at political consultancy I-PAC in West Bengal. The ED sought suspension of state DGP Rajeev Kumar and alleged that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and senior police officers blocked searches and took documents. Appearing for Banerjee, senior advocate Kapil Sibal said the agency waited two years and raided the office close to elections. He claimed the premises held sensitive poll data and that no material was seized. The ED denied wrongdoing and said the chief minister committed theft. The court said it will hear all sides. (PC: India Today)

DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran triggered a row after remarks comparing women’s education in northern states with Tamil Nadu. Speaking at a women’s college in Chennai, he said, “In North Indian states, they ask girl children not to go for jobs and to stay inside the house and do housework.” He added that Tamil Nadu wanted its girls to study and work. Maran praised the DMK government and Chief Minister MK Stalin for promoting women’s education. The comments drew criticism on social media for making broad claims about northern states. The event was held to distribute laptops to final-year students under a state scheme. His remarks have since sparked political debate.

The BJP suffered a setback on Tuesday after losing the Vizhinjam ward bye-election in Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation. The party had hoped the result would secure a clear majority. UDF candidate K H Sudheer Khan defeated LDF nominee N Noushad by 83 votes. Khan polled 2,902 votes, while Noushad secured 2,819. BJP candidate Sarvashaktipuram Binu finished third with 2,437 votes. With this result, the BJP remains at 50 seats in the 101-member council and needs the support of Independent councillor P Radhakrishnan to reach the majority mark of 51. The UDF’s tally has risen to 20 seats, while the LDF stays at 29. (PC: HT)