20 rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs are preparing to file a defamation case against party leader Mahua Moitra over her bribery allegations. Moitra claimed that MPs who left the party received large sums of money to switch sides. The rebel MPs have denied the charge and decided to take legal action. The dispute comes after 20 of TMC's 28 Lok Sabha MPs broke away and announced support for the BJP-led NDA. The group has joined the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI). The split has deepened the political crisis within the Trinamool Congress. (PC: PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said West Bengal has been “freed from its shackles” as he visited the state for the first time since the BJP-NDA's historic election victory. Speaking at Paschim Banga Diwas celebrations in Tarakeswar, Modi said a new chapter of development and progress had begun in Bengal.   He highlighted key welfare and infrastructure initiatives, including the release of the PM-KISAN installment, the launch of PMFBY in the state, and several development projects. Modi also promised better governance, accountability, and an end to the “cut money” culture, while pledging to restore Bengal’s growth and prosperity.  

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has alleged that several of its bank accounts were frozen during an investigation into ₹440 crore linked to rebel party MLAs. The party claimed the action has disrupted its financial operations and accused authorities of targeting it ahead of key political developments. Investigators are examining the flow of funds and possible financial irregularities involving legislators who had distanced themselves from the party. TMC leaders denied any wrongdoing and demanded that the accounts be restored. The probe continues, with officials yet to release detailed findings on the alleged fund transactions.  

The BJP intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi after Congress MP Shashi Tharoor backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his discussions with US President Donald Trump during the G7 Summit. Tharoor said PM Modi had clearly conveyed India's concerns regarding the safety of commercial sailors affected by regional conflicts. Seizing on Tharoor's remarks, BJP leaders claimed they exposed Rahul Gandhi's criticism of the government over the issue. The exchange has added to political tensions between the ruling party and the Congress over India's diplomatic approach and foreign policy. (PC: NDTV)

NDA-backed Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani secured one of the two Rajya Sabha seats from Jharkhand after unexpected cross-voting altered the electoral arithmetic. Despite the BJP-led NDA lacking sufficient numbers in the 81-member Assembly, Nathwani won with 28 votes, defeating Congress candidate Pranav Jha, who received 20 votes. JMM candidate Baidyanath Ram captured the second seat with 30 votes. Three ballots were declared invalid, including two from BJP legislators and one from Congress. Nathwani's victory exposed cracks within the INDIA bloc and marked his historic fourth term in the Rajya Sabha. (PC: India Today)

Six rebel MPs from Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) have met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, claiming the party has drifted from its original ideology and is moving towards a merger with the Congress. The MPs also requested seating arrangements closer to members of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction in Parliament. The Thackeray camp has strongly opposed the move, issuing seven-day show-cause notices to the rebels and urging the Speaker to reject their demands. The development marks a fresh challenge for Uddhav Thackeray, four years after the split led by Eknath Shinde in 2022.  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump are expected to hold a crucial bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, with trade, defence cooperation and the West Asia situation high on the agenda. The meeting comes amid strains in India-US ties over tariffs and regional security concerns. Earlier, Modi participated in discussions on sustainable economic growth and held meetings with European leaders. G7 nations also welcomed the US-Iran peace framework and reaffirmed support for Ukraine. Leaders discussed critical minerals, North Korea’s nuclear programme, migration, cybercrime and global economic challenges. (PC: HT)

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has alleged that Members of Parliament from his party are being offered up to ₹50 crore each to switch sides amid renewed speculation of a split in Uddhav Thackeray’s camp. Raut claimed that ₹15 crore was being offered as an advance payment and described ₹50 crore as the “minimum support price” for defection. The allegations come as reports of an “Operation Tiger” to engineer a rebellion within the party gain traction in Maharashtra. Raut challenged any potential rebels to resign and seek a fresh mandate from voters if they choose to leave the party.  

Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee is facing mounting political and legal pressure amid the deepening crisis within the TMC. While the party battles a major rebellion by 20 Lok Sabha MPs seeking recognition under a new banner, Banerjee was given a two-hour notice by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's office to present his side in the dispute. At the same time, he has spent nearly 19.5 hours being questioned by probe agencies. Banerjee was grilled for over eight hours by the West Bengal CID and around 11 hours by the Enforcement Directorate in separate cases, even as the battle over TMC's future intensifies.  

A security scare unfolded in south Kolkata on Monday when an unidentified youth allegedly hurled an egg at Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh shortly after he exited the Kalighat residence of party chief Mamata Banerjee. The incident caused a brief commotion, with security personnel immediately stepping in. Videos of the attack quickly surfaced on social media, drawing political attention and raising concerns over the safety of public representatives. Authorities are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident, while the motive behind the attack and the identity of the accused are yet to be officially confirmed.