Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at Kolkata’s Thanthania Kalibari on Sunday before his roadshow. The 300-year-old temple is known for its rare tradition of offering non-vegetarian prasad to Maa Kali. The visit came during a political debate over food culture in West Bengal. Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party and All India Trinamool Congress have exchanged views on claims about fish and meat restrictions. The temple is also linked to Ramakrishna Paramahansa, who is believed to have visited there often.

Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Sahney revealed that he had cautioned AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal about rising internal dissatisfaction before seven MPs defected to the BJP. He said “frustration was growing” within the party, particularly due to the sidelining of key leaders like Sandeep Pathak after electoral setbacks. Sahney warned that even a small number of exits could impact the party’s two-thirds strength in the Rajya Sabha. Despite the alert, tensions escalated, culminating in a major political shift as multiple MPs left AAP, dealing a significant blow to the party’s unity and parliamentary position. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday attacked the ruling All India Trinamool Congress during a rally in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal. He said the party had betrayed its slogan of “Maa, Mati, Manush”. Modi said, “The cruelty of TMC made maa cry, handed over mati to syndicates and infiltrators, and forced manush to flee.” He also claimed high turnout in the first phase of polling had hurt TMC’s confidence. Modi promised jobs for youth, support for content creators, and a stronger sports system if BJP wins Bengal. (PC: PTI)

Words like “gaddar” and “baahri” are shaping Punjab politics after Raghav Chadha and other MPs left the Aam Aadmi Party to join the BJP.   AAP workers used “gaddar” during protests outside homes of leaders like Harbhajan Singh. Chief minister Bhagwant Mann also called them “traitors of Punjab”.   Chadha rejected the charge. He said they left “not out of fear but… disgusted”.   The word “baahri” has returned from earlier debates over leaders seen as outsiders.   Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu also drew attention with his “catwalk” remark on Chadha. (PC: HT)

Raghav Chadha lost nearly one million Instagram followers within 24 hours after leaving AAP and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party, reports said on Saturday. His follower count reportedly fell from 14.6 million to 13.5 million. Social media users linked the drop to anger among young voters and a growing “unfollow” campaign online. Chadha had built a strong youth image by raising issues like gig workers, airport prices and mobile data limits. He recently quit AAP with six Rajya Sabha MPs. The political move has sparked debate over his popularity among younger supporters.

Former AAP MP Raghav Chadha on Saturday attacked the party after joining Bharatiya Janata Party with six Rajya Sabha MPs. He said, “We were forced to leave” because of Arvind Kejriwal’s policies. Chadha claimed many workers had lost hope in AAP and the party had fallen into corrupt hands. He also raised the Sheesh Mahal issue and linked it to the Delhi poll defeat. The move weakens AAP in Parliament and boosts BJP numbers in the Rajya Sabha. The split raises fresh questions over AAP’s future.

Delhi’s political tension escalated after BJP leader Parvesh Verma launched a sharp attack on AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, calling him the “Rehman dacoit of Delhi.” He alleged that Kejriwal, after moving into a government bungalow at 95 Lodhi Estate, has constructed a second luxurious residence dubbed “Sheesh Mahal 2.” The BJP also released visuals and documents claiming lavish interiors and misuse of public funds. AAP leaders rejected the allegations, calling them fake and defamatory. The row comes amid internal AAP turmoil and recent MP resignations, further intensifying Delhi’s political confrontation. (PC: India Today)

A political twist emerged as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs reportedly met at Arvind Kejriwal’s residence for a discussion that never took place, as they had already decided to quit the party. According to sources, Kejriwal had called the MPs to address internal concerns and possibly pacify tensions, but the leaders had independently finalised their exit plan earlier. Seven MPs, including Raghav Chadha, allegedly left the party and moved toward a merger with the BJP, catching the leadership off guard. Kejriwal was reportedly unaware of their collective decision at the time of calling the meeting. (PC: NDTV)

Swati Maliwal, once a prominent face of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), explained her exit by accusing the party of abandoning its core values and indulging in “corruption and loot.” She said she distanced herself to avoid being part of alleged wrongdoing. Maliwal also recalled a 2024 incident where she accused Arvind Kejriwal’s aide of physically assaulting her at the Chief Minister’s residence. The controversy deepened her rift with the leadership. Her departure comes amid a larger rebellion, with multiple AAP MPs leaving the party and aligning with the BJP, signalling serious internal turmoil. (PC: NDTV)

In a major political setback for Arvind Kejriwal, Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal—who had replaced Raghav Chadha in the Upper House—has joined the BJP along with six other AAP MPs. The move was announced by Chadha, who said more than two-thirds of AAP’s Rajya Sabha members supported the merger, allowing them to avoid disqualification under anti-defection laws. Aam Aadmi Party leaders criticised the switch as a betrayal. The development highlights deep internal rifts within AAP, triggered by leadership disputes and recent reshuffles, and significantly weakens the party’s presence in Parliament. (PC: PTI)