After 26 years, BJP is set to reclaim Delhi, but the party has not yet named its chief minister. Parvesh Verma, who defeated Arvind Kejriwal, is a strong contender, along with Vijender Gupta and turncoat Kailash Gahlot. Other possibilities include Arvinder Singh Lovely, North East Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari, and Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva. BJP leaders, including Amit Shah, will decide the next CM. Celebrations have erupted across Delhi as AAP faces a major defeat. "The decision will be taken by the central leadership," BJP’s Virendra Sachdeva said.

As BJP surged ahead in the Delhi Assembly elections, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah mocked AAP and Congress over their defeat. Sharing a meme on X, he wrote, “Aur lado aapas mein!!!” Abdullah, a senior leader of the INDIA bloc, has repeatedly criticized its lack of unity. He previously questioned its purpose, stating it should dissolve if it only exists for parliamentary polls. Congress and AAP contested separately despite being allies nationally, worsening opposition divisions. BJP is set to reclaim power in Delhi after 27 years.

Hamas has released three more Israeli hostages—Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami, and Or Levy—under the ongoing Gaza ceasefire deal. The hostages were handed to the Red Cross and later transferred to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). They have crossed into Israeli territory and are undergoing medical assessments. Family members say the hostages appear in poor condition. As part of the agreement, Israel is releasing 180 Palestinian prisoners. This marks the latest exchange in a deal that began on January 19, with 33 Israeli hostages set to be freed in the first phase.

AAP chief and former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal conceded his party’s defeat in the Delhi elections, congratulating the BJP on its victory. In a video message, he stated, “We accept the people’s verdict. I hope BJP fulfills its promises.” Kejriwal highlighted AAP’s governance efforts and pledged to serve as a constructive Opposition. The BJP led in 48 of 70 seats, while AAP secured 22. Congress failed to win any seats for the third consecutive election. Kejriwal also praised AAP workers, saying, “We will always stand with the people.”

A fire broke out at the under-construction Sabarmati bullet train station in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, around 6:30 a.m. on Saturday. Thirteen fire tenders controlled the blaze, and no injuries were reported. The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) stated that welding sparks from temporary shuttering work likely caused the fire. Officials are monitoring the situation. Sabarmati is India’s first bullet train terminal, part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor, built with Japanese assistance. The project spans 508 km, with 12 stations planned across Gujarat and Maharashtra. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw previously showcased its modern design.

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal lost his New Delhi seat to BJP’s Parvesh Verma by 3,182 votes, marking a major political setback. Kejriwal, who won the seat in 2013 after defeating Sheila Dikshit, faced corruption allegations and the ‘Sheesh Mahal’ controversy. Verma, a two-time West Delhi MP, accused him of neglecting civic issues. With BJP leading in 48 seats, AAP faces a crushing defeat after ruling Delhi for a decade. Celebrations erupted at BJP headquarters as Verma declared, “The darkness has gone, the lotus bloomed.” Kejriwal’s defeat underscores AAP’s sharp decline in Delhi politics.

AAP leader Manish Sisodia conceded defeat in Delhi’s Jangpura constituency, losing to BJP’s Tarvinder Singh Marwah by 600 votes. Marwah secured 34,632 votes, while Sisodia polled 34,060. Congress’s Farhad Suri lagged with 6,866 votes. Sisodia, who previously won Patparganj thrice, contested from Jangpura this time. Accepting the result, he said, “Party workers fought well, but I lost.” Marwah, a three-time Delhi MLA, joined BJP in 2022 after leaving Congress. BJP is set to take power in Delhi, leading in 48 seats, while AAP trails with 22. Celebrations erupted at BJP headquarters in New Delhi.

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi secured victory in Kalkaji, defeating BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri by over 900 votes. Her win offers a silver lining for AAP, as top leaders like Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia faced losses. Atishi, who first won in 2020 with a margin of 11,393 votes, faced a tough three-way contest against Bidhuri and Congress’s Alka Lamba. The campaign saw heated exchanges, with Bidhuri questioning Atishi's name change. Atishi, known for education reforms, remains a key AAP figure amid the party’s electoral setbacks.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that India has raised concerns with the US over the treatment of 104 deported Indian migrants. The deportees, sent back on a US military aircraft, were reportedly shackled throughout the journey. Misri stated that India would continue addressing mistreatment cases. He revealed that the US has issued "final removal orders" for 487 presumed Indian citizens. “This deportation was described as a national security operation,” Misri noted. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized that such deportations have been ongoing for years under established procedures. Discussions between India and the US on the matter continue.

A US judge has blocked Donald Trump’s move to place 2,200 USAID employees on leave, hours before it was set to take effect. The ruling follows a lawsuit by unions, arguing the action violates the Constitution. Trump, seeking to dismantle the agency, claims it is corrupt and wasteful. The decision restores jobs for affected staff until February 14. USAID, the world's largest aid donor, faces drastic cuts, sparking criticism. “One of the worst foreign policy blunders,” ex-USAID chief Samantha Power warned. The case returns to court Wednesday, with long-term implications for global aid efforts.