Nation

New Delhi: Senior Congress leaders will meet in the capital on Thursday to deliberate the party’s strategy for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, with a final decision expected on whether to contest in alliance with Left parties or go it alone. West Bengal Congress president Subhankar Sarkar, former state unit chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, and several other senior leaders are scheduled to attend the meeting, which is being seen as a crucial step in shaping the party’s electoral roadmap. According to party sources, the central agenda is to assess the viability of a renewed alliance with Left parties versus an independent contest. A majority of state leaders are believed to be inclined toward fighting the election without an alliance this time. Despite being key constituents ...

Washington: External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on Wednesday said India supports structured international cooperation to reduce risks in critical mineral supply chains, highlighting growing global concern over excessive concentration and fragility in the sector. Addressing the Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington, Jaishankar warned that overdependence on limited geographies for essential resources poses strategic and economic risks. He emphasized that coordinated action among countries is necessary to build resilient, diversified, and transparent supply chains. The minister outlined India’s domestic initiatives aimed at strengthening mineral security, including the National Critical Minerals Mission, development of rare earth corridors, and policies promoting responsib...

New Delhi: The Congress on Wednesday criticized the government over the conduct of proceedings in the Lok Sabha, arguing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reply to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address would be meaningless if the Leader of the Opposition was not allowed to complete his speech. At a meeting of senior party leaders held at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence, the party discussed its strategy amid the ongoing parliamentary standoff. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged that Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi had been repeatedly prevented from speaking in the House over the past three days. “Rahul Gandhi has not been allowed to complete his speech. He is being deliberately sto...

New Delhi: Even as India and the United States have finalized their long-anticipated trade agreement, a Bloomberg report has revealed a previously undisclosed dimension of the negotiations: New Delhi had conveyed to Washington that it was prepared to wait until the end of President Donald Trump’s term rather than yield to pressure. According to officials familiar with the matter, India made it clear during high-level discussions that it would not be coerced into signing a deal on unfavorable terms. The message reportedly reflected the Modi government’s firm negotiating posture at a time when bilateral tensions were elevated by sharp rhetoric from the Trump administration and the imposition of 50% tariffs on certain Indian exports. The report cites a meeting in early September 2025 be...

India is experiencing varied weather patterns these days, ranging from severe cold to bright sunny spells. The Meteorological Department has issued forecasts indicating little change in temperatures across several states in the coming days. Here’s a state-wise update for February 5, 2026. Delhi:The national capital will experience clear skies on Thursday. Light to moderate fog may be observed on the streets during the morning hours. The maximum temperature is expected to range between 21°C and 23°C, while the minimum will be around 8°C to 10°C. Winds are likely to blow at 15 km/h in the morning, increasing to 20 km/h by afternoon. Uttar Pradesh:The weather is expected to remain largely unchanged across northwest India over the next week, especially regarding minimum temperatures. How...

In a historic first, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally presented her petition before the Supreme Court on Wednesday, acting as her own counsel in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) matter. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader has filed the petition challenging the Election Commission’s ongoing SIR process in the state. Personal Arguments in CourtWhile senior advocate Shyam Divan was present to represent her, Mamata Banerjee stood in front of the bench headed by Chief Justice Suryakant and briefly made oral submissions. The bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi, heard her arguments and issued a notice to the Election Commission, directing a response by next Monday. Claims of Denied JusticeMamata Banerjee argued that the SIR process was...

A fiery exchange unfolded in and outside the Lok Sabha on Wednesday as Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu clashed over remarks made during a protest by eight suspended MPs. Gandhi referred to Bittu as a “traitor,” prompting Bittu to retort that Congress leaders are “enemies of the nation.” The confrontation occurred near the Parliament’s Makar Dwar gate, where suspended opposition MPs were demonstrating against their suspension for the remaining duration of the current budget session. The incident has also sparked reactions within the Sikh community, with Delhi Government Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa coming out in support of Bittu and strongly criticizing Rahul Gandhi and Congress. Sirsa Denounces Rahul Gandhi’s CommentSirsa condemned Gandhi’s wor...

The Election Commission of India has initiated preparations for upcoming assembly elections in five states, including West Bengal. Official visits to these states are expected to commence later this month as part of the pre-election assessment. Under the leadership of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the Election Commission will evaluate law and order, administrative arrangements, and other logistical considerations ahead of announcing the election schedule. Sources indicate that election dates for these states are likely to be announced sometime after the first week of March. States Going to PollsThe assembly elections are scheduled in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry this year. The current legislative assemblies in these states are nearing the end of...

Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi created a stir in and around the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, presenting the unpublished book of former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane. Gandhi displayed the book both inside the Parliament and in the surrounding premises, repeatedly demanding that the Speaker allow him to speak in the House. The autobiography, titled Four Stars of Destiny, has been a focal point of debate in the Lok Sabha since Monday, as the Opposition raised questions over its contents. Banners and ProtestsCongress MPs carried banners in the Lok Sabha that read, “Do what you think is appropriate,” featuring pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and General Naravane. During Opposition protests in the Well, Rahul Gandhi also stood at his seat, holding up...

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a high-level visit aimed at strengthening strategic ties amidst rapidly changing geopolitical dynamics in West Asia. During his visit, Doval held a cordial meeting with his Saudi counterpart, Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, who serves as Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Cabinet Member, and National Security Advisor. Discussions Focused on Bilateral and Regional CooperationAccording to a post by the Indian Embassy in Riyadh on social media platform X, the meeting included comprehensive discussions on bilateral cooperation, regional security challenges, and other matters of mutual interest. The embassy described the interaction as a “productive meeting between the two national security advisors,” emphasizing...