Raising serious questions, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “Ajit Pawar’s death must be properly investigated, with the probe directly monitored by the Supreme Court.” She hinted that Pawar was distancing himself from the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
As India and the European Union ink the historic Free Trade Agreement, popularly dubbed the ‘mother of all deals’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the deal, saying that this would give a major boost for manufacturing in India. He also said that the services sector will also expand post this Free Trade Agreement with the European Council.
“Manufacturing will get a huge boost from this trade deal with the EU, and the services sector will also expand. The Free Trade Agreement will boost the confidence of every investor and businessman to invest in India,” the PM said as he inaugurated the India Energy Week being held in Goa.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hailed the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a perfect example of a partnership between two major economies of the world, noting that the landmark deal will create major opportunities for people, businesses and investors in both regions.
Referring to the recently signed agreement, PM Modi also said the deal has already drawn global attention and is being described as the “mother of all deals”.
“Yesterday a big agreement was signed between the European Union and India. People are calling this the mother of all deals. This agreement will bring major opportunities for the public in India and Europe. This is a perfect example of a partnership between two major economies of the world,” the Prime Minister said.
“This agreement empowers our shared commitment towards democracy and rule of law. This Free Trade Agreement with the European Union will also complement Britain and EFTA’s agreements…I congratulate the people of the nation for this,” he added.
India and the EU together represent almost one-fifth of global trade and around 25 per cent of the global population, highlighting the growing economic and strategic weight of the partnership. The EU and India are close partners working to promote economic prosperity, a rules-based international order and sustainable development.
Trade and investment remain central pillars of this relationship. In trade in goods, the EU is India’s second-largest trading partner, right after China and ahead of the United States, accounting for 11.5 per cent of India’s total goods trade.
As per official data, in 2024, EU-India trade in goods was valued at over Euro 120 billion. This included Euro 71.4 billion worth of EU imports from India and Euro 48.8 billion in EU exports to India. Over the last decade, bilateral trade in goods has doubled.
During this period, EU imports from India grew by 140 per cent, while EU exports to India increased by 58 per cent, showing the steady expansion of commercial ties. The main goods exported by the EU to India include machinery and appliances, transport equipment and chemicals. On the other hand, the EU primarily imports machinery and appliances, chemicals and fuels from India.
Trade in services has also seen strong growth. In 2024, EU-India trade in services was worth over Euro 66 billion, with more than Euro 37 billion in EU imports and around Euro 29 billion in EU exports. Over the past decade, trade in services between the two sides has more than doubled, recording a growth of 243 per cent.
Negotiations on a free-trade agreement between India and the EU started in 2007 and was relaunched in 2022. This agreement will boost bilateral trade and investment ties and drive shared prosperity.
Hoshiarpur: Unfurling the national Tricolour in Hoshiarpur on Republic Day, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann coupled the ceremonial occasion with a firm assertion of Punjab’s constitutional rights and a detailed account of his government’s governance record. Recalling Punjab’s unmatched sacrifices in India’s freedom struggle and its continuing role as the country’s Food Bowl and Sword Arm, the Chief Minister said the state has been unjustly denied its rightful capital and a separate High Court since Independence, and made it clear that attempts to undermine Punjab’s claim over Chandigarh, Panjab University and its water rights would not succeed. He underlined that Punjab would continue to pursue legal and constitutional remedies every day to protect its interests.
Linking governance with heritage and faith, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann recalled the historic commemoration of the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, the declaration of Sri Amritsar Sahib, Sri Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo as holy cities, and announced that the 650th Parkash Parv of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji would be celebrated on similar lines through state-level programmes from February 1 this year to February 20, 2027.
Highlighting the direction of governance, the Chief Minister pointed to decisive action against drugs, gangsters and narco-drones under ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ and ‘Gangsteraan Te Vaar’, universal healthcare coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh, more than 63,000 government jobs provided without bribes, and a sharp reduction in road accident fatalities through the Sadak Surakhiya Force. He also expressed concern over changes to MGNREGA affecting Scheduled Caste and landless families, cited record investments of Rs 1.5 lakh crore generating 5.2 lakh jobs, and announced the Punjab Investment Summit from March 13 to 15.
Addressing the gathering, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Despite the tremendous contribution towards the country and its people, Punjab does not have its own capital. Since Independence, Punjab has been unlawfully deprived of it. To worsen the situation, conspiracies are hatched daily to deprive the state of its capital, Panjab University, waters and other rights. This will never be allowed. Chandigarh was, is and will always remain an integral part of Punjab and the state government will make all-out efforts to take back its capital.”
Expressing anguish over the absence of a separate High Court, the Punjab Chief Minister said it was unfortunate that Punjab does not have its own High Court whereas small states in the North East have their own capitals. “In the absence of its own High Court, Punjabis have to suffer a lot due to the huge pendency of cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court,” he said.
Extending heartfelt greetings to all Punjabis and citizens across the country, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann paid homage to thousands of patriotic freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during India’s freedom struggle.
Saluting the brave soldiers of the Army, Navy and Air Force, the Chief Minister recalled their stellar role in safeguarding the sovereignty, unity and integrity of the country. “On this day in 1950, the Constitution of the country came into force. This is a very special day for all Indians. It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that we are proud citizens of the world’s largest democracy,” he said.
On the sacred occasion, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann bowed in reverence to the invaluable contribution of the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, in framing the Constitution. He said Punjabis take pride in the fact that the maximum sacrifices in the freedom struggle were made by Punjabi warriors. “The inspiration to stand firm against tyranny, injustice and oppression is ingrained in every Punjabi from the teachings of our revered Gurus,” he said.
Recalling historic movements, the Chief Minister said freedom movements such as the Kuka Movement, Babbar Akali Movement, Ghadar Movement, Komagata Maru incident and Pagri Sambhal Jatta were led by Punjabis. “National heroes like Baba Maharaj Singh, Baba Ram Singh, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Sukhdev, Lala Lajpat Rai, Shaheed Udham Singh, Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, Madan Lal Dhingra, Diwan Singh Kalepani and hundreds of others laid down their lives for the freedom of India,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjabis have made an exemplary contribution to the nation’s progress and have always been at the forefront in safeguarding the country and making it self-reliant in food production.
Highlighting the role of farmers, the Chief Minister said Punjab’s farmers are the nation’s food providers whose hard work and resilience ensure that no one sleeps hungry. “Punjab contributes more than 60 percent to the nation’s food reserves. Even during last year’s devastating floods, Punjab’s farmers contributed 156 lakh metric tonnes of paddy to the central pool,” he said, adding that because of the contribution of Punjab’s farmers and soldiers, the state is aptly called the “Food Bowl and Sword Arm of the Nation.”
Paying tribute to those who helped the state recover from floods, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said he salutes all valiant heroes who put Punjab back on track despite heavy floods. “Despite such a huge natural catastrophe, the state was on its feet within a few hours,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that for the sake of the country, Punjab has sacrificed its fertile land and water resources, which are its only available natural resources. “Despite the greatest sacrifices, Punjab continues to face injustice and discrimination and is being forced to wage legal, legislative and administrative battles to secure its rights,” he said.
Stating that Punjab is being meted out step-motherly treatment, Bhagwant Singh Mann said conspiracies are being hatched to snatch its rights. “An attempt was made to curtail Punjab’s legal rights over BBMB and waters, but the state government did not allow it to succeed,” he said.
Expressing concern over changes in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the Chief Minister said the Centre has renamed and altered the structure of the scheme, which will snatch livelihoods from Scheduled Caste workers, women and landless families. “Punjab has the highest proportion of Scheduled Caste population in the country. This new law will prove disastrous for the SC community,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that at present 19.85 lakh families are registered as MGNREGA workers in Punjab, out of which 12.65 lakh belong to the Scheduled Caste community. “The state government is fighting this war against the Centre through legislation and courts,” he said.
He also said that the Centre has withheld Rural Development Fund (RDF) funds meant for rural development despite the clear demarcation of Centre–State rights in the Constitution.
Asserting Punjab’s resolve, the Chief Minister said, “Punjab has to fight every day to get its rights from the Centre. Let me make it very clear that Punjabis have never bowed down, and they never will in the future.”
Warning divisive forces, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said false propaganda is being spread to divide Punjabis, but the state government will never allow such designs to succeed. He issued a stern warning to gangsters and their sympathisers trying to disturb peace to abandon the path of crime or be ready to face consequences. “A crackdown against gangsters, ‘Gangsteraan Te Vaar’ is underway. Their supporters will also not be spared. No leniency will be shown to lawbreakers. Peace, unity and brotherhood will be maintained at all costs, and the state government is duty-bound to ensure this,” he said.
Listing initiatives taken by the Punjab Government over the last four years, the Chief Minister said the Punjab government is committed to delivering governance that fulfils the dreams of martyrs.
He said an all-out war against drugs has been launched under ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’, under which drug supply chains were snapped, traffickers jailed, their properties demolished, and victims treated and rehabilitated. “Anti-drone technology has been installed along the 532-kilometre-long international border. So far, 498 drone activities have been detected and 256 drones seized,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the second phase of the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ has begun and citizens can join it by giving a missed call at 98991-00002. He said village and ward-level defence committees have been formed, recovered addicts are being honoured as heroes, skill training is being provided for rehabilitation, and 3,083 rural sports grounds are being developed. He said to wean youth away from drugs, ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Dian’ have been organised with participation from three generations.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann noted that the 350th Shaheedi Diwas (martyrdom day) of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji was commemorated in an unprecedented and historic manner across the state. He said that Rs 20 crore has been spent on the construction of the Bhai Jaita Ji Memorial at Sri Anandpur Sahib. The Chief Minister said Sri Amritsar Sahib, Sri Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo have been declared holy cities, while the Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme enables devotees to visit religious places free of cost.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further announced that, on similar lines, the 650th Parkash Parv (birth anniversary) of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji, falling on February 1, will be celebrated on a grand scale, with programmes and events to be organised from February 1 this year and continuing in a sustained manner up to 2027, ensuring a befitting and comprehensive commemoration of Guru Ravidas Ji’s legacy.
Highlighting healthcare reforms, the Chief Minister said the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna provides cashless treatment up to Rs 10 lakh for all 65 lakh families. “Income conditions have been removed. Government employees and pensioners have also been included. Punjab has become the first state to provide free healthcare to all citizens,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics are providing free treatment daily and the number will soon touch 1,000.
On employment, he said 63,027 government jobs have been given transparently without bribe or recommendation. He said 90 percent households are receiving free electricity and for the first time in Punjab’s history, more than eight hours of uninterrupted daytime power is being supplied to farm tubewells during the paddy season, allowing farmers to have meals at home.
The Chief Minister said 6,900 kilometres long 18,349 watercourses have been revived, Rs 2,300 crore is being spent on the Malwa canal, the first canal constructed after Independence.
On education, the Chief Minister said 118 Schools of Eminence have been established, teachers have been sent for training in Finland, Singapore and Ahmedabad, bus services for girl students are benefitting over 10,000 girls, Punjab topped the National Achievement Survey by surpassing Kerala, and government school students cleared JEE and NEET in large numbers.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said investments worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore have been attracted since 2022, generating 5.2 lakh jobs. He announced that the Punjab Investment Summit will be held from March 13 to 15.
He said Punjab offers the highest sugarcane price in the country at Rs 416 per quintal, stubble burning incidents have reduced by 53 percent, and closure of 21 toll plazas has saved Rs 67.7 lakh daily for citizens.
The Chief Minister said the Punjab government provides Rs 1 crore honorarium to the families of defence personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty and Rs 2 crore honorarium to the families of police personnel in case of losing their lives during duty.
Highlighting the Sadak Surakhiya Force, the Chief Minister said it is the first-of-its-kind initiative in the country. “Since its launch in February last year, road accident fatalities have reduced by more than 48 percent. The force is deployed along 4,200 kilometres of highways and also acts as a deterrent against traffic violations,” he said.
He said village ponds have been cleaned, libraries built, 49,000 kilometres of rural roads upgraded, 1,600 bus permits issued to youth, the Easy Registry scheme introduced, and a Rs 148 crore memorial is being built at Khural Garh associated with Sri Guru Ravidas Ji.
Praising Hoshiarpur district, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said it is Punjab’s most educated district, tops in gender ratio, excels in athletics and football, and Mahilpur is globally known as a football nursery. He said work on the medical college in Hoshiarpur will begin soon and released posters for the Nature Fest to be held in February.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann inspects parade, witnesses cultural performances and felicitates achievers at Republic Day celebrations
Earlier, the Chief Minister inspected the parade led by Parade Commander Dhirendra Verma, IPS, and Assistant Parade Commander Ramanpreet Singh Gill, and took salute from contingents of Punjab Police, Punjab Home Guards, PESCO, NCC, Boy Scouts, Police Cadets, Girl Guides and the Punjab Police Brass Band.
Tent pegging by the PAP Jalandhar team and a colourful cultural programme including Bhangra, Giddha, group dance, PT show and group singing by school students were also presented.
The Chief Minister felicitated freedom fighters and their kin, distributed tricycles to the physically challenged and sewing machines to needy women. Tableaux depicting the development of the state and district administration were also showcased.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann also felicitated officers, officials, participants and citizens from various walks of life for their remarkable contribution to society during the Republic Day celebrations.
Bihar politics: The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Sunday announced that Tejashwi Yadav would be the party’s new national working president. The announcement was made during the RJD’s national executive meeting held in Bihar’s Patna.
The party, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), described the appointment as: “Dawn of a New Era! Tejashwi Yadav Ji has been appointed as the National Working President of Rashtriya Janata Dal!”
The meeting was attended by RJD chief and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, former CM Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, Misa Bharti, and other senior party leaders.
RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav’s daughter, Rohini Acharya, on Sunday described “Laluvad” in a post on X as a steadfast fight for the marginalised population.
In her post, Acharya questioned those responsible for the party’s decline and criticised leaders for evading accountability.
“Whoever truly embodies Laluvad in the true sense—anyone who has selflessly struggled for the party that Lalu Ji founded to steadfastly fight for the interests of the marginalised population and the deprived—will undoubtedly question those responsible for the party’s current sorry state and raise their voice against the dubious and suspect roles of such people, without caring for the consequences,” she wrote.
She further added that those currently in leadership positions must introspect rather than evade questions, warning that silence would amount to complicity.
Acharya’s relationship with her brother Tejashwi Yadav and the RJD hit rock bottom after the Bihar Assembly election results were announced in November 2025. Tensions escalated following the party’s poor performance in the polls, with Rohini also alleging physical and verbal abuse.
Rohini is not the only Yadav sibling to have strained ties with the family. Earlier, Lalu Yadav expelled his elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav, from the party for six years over what he described as “immoral and irresponsible behaviour”, after a picture of Tej Pratap with his rumoured partner triggered political controversy.
Also Read- Tejashwi Yadav appointed as new National Working President of Rashtriya Janata Dal
In the Bihar Assembly elections, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats, followed by JD(U) with 85 seats, while the RJD managed to secure only 25 seats. The results triggered unrest within the party, with questions being raised over leadership, strategy, and organisational strength.
The setback marked one of the RJD’s weakest electoral performances in recent years and intensified internal fault lines that had largely remained under the surface.
Lalu Prasad Yadav founded the RJD and has served as Bihar Chief Minister, Union Railway Minister, and Member of Parliament. His political rise in the 1990s marked a transformative phase in Bihar’s politics, particularly through his emphasis on social justice and empowerment of backward classes.
Lalu first became Chief Minister of Bihar in 1990. From a student leader and young parliamentarian, Lalu rose to become the supremo of the RJD and one of Bihar’s most influential political figures.
In recent years, however, Lalu has largely played the role of a symbolic leader, with limited involvement in day-to-day organisational affairs.
Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu’s son and the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Bihar Assembly, has steadily emerged as the party’s principal face. Ahead of the elections, he launched an aggressive campaign against the JD(U) and the BJP, promising large-scale employment generation, welfare schemes, and governance reforms if voted to power.
While the RJD was unable to secure a victory in the Bihar elections, Tejashwi Yadav remained the party’s most visible campaigner and emerged as its central rallying point. His campaign focused heavily on youth-centric issues and economic distress, allowing him to retain relevance despite the electoral defeat and consolidate his position within the party’s organisational hierarchy.
With Tejashwi Yadav now officially entrusted with the role of national working president, the RJD appears to be signalling a generational transition without formally ending Lalu Prasad Yadav’s influence. The appointment raises a larger question: is this the beginning of a “Lalu Yadav 2.0” era, where the legacy continues through a younger, more administrative leadership style?
Notably, Tejashwi’s challenge will be twofold- healing internal rifts within the party and expanding RJD’s appeal beyond its traditional support base in a politically competitive Bihar. Whether this elevation marks a revival strategy or merely a symbolic reshuffle will depend on several factors.
For now, the move reflects RJD’s acknowledgement that survival and resurgence may hinge on a transition of power, one that continues the legacy of “Laluvad” while attempting to adapt to a changing political landscape.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday paid homage to martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the nation, described the Constitution as the soul of India, and said it has guided the country for 77 years as a beacon of justice, equality and dignity.
She was addressing the Republic Day celebration ceremony at Chhatrasal Stadium, where she unfurled the national flag and reviewed the parade.
Addressing the Republic Day Celebration ceremony at Chhatrasal Stadium, Delhi Chief Minister Gupta said, “I pay homage to those martyrs who prioritised the nation above even their own lives for the honour of the tricolour and bequeathed us this republic, self-respect, and freedom. The Constitution is the soul of India. Over the past 77 years, India’s Constitution has been guiding us as a beacon of light for justice, equality, and dignity… India remembers all the efforts, from the framing of the Constitution to nation-building.”
#WATCH | Delhi CM Rekha Gupta reviews the parade at Delhi’s Chhatrasal Stadium during the Republic Day celebrations. pic.twitter.com/Hq0uS8CXiA
— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2026
Why Delhi celebrate Republic Day today, not January 26?
Delhi celebrates Republic Day a day before January 26 because the Chief Minister and other Delhi government officials need to attend the official national Republic Day parade on January 26. Holding the state celebration a day earlier allows them to commemorate the occasion. Additionally, it is not feasible to organise a separate parade in the national capital for the state government due to security concerns.
Reflecting on her government’s tenure, Chief Minister Gupta said the administration faced several accumulated challenges when it took charge of office eleven months ago and has since taken meaningful steps to give Delhi a new direction.
“When our government took charge of Delhi eleven months ago, we faced numerous challenges, but the biggest challenge was the dust and obstacles that had accumulated on the system over the years. We have taken several meaningful steps to change this situation and give Delhi a new direction… Based on the principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ of the Prime Minister, we have taken many decisions for public welfare during the past eleven months, aiming to bring real and positive change in the lives of the citizens,” she said.
Highlighting welfare initiatives, the Chief Minister said the Ayushman Bharat scheme was implemented in Delhi on the very first day of her government’s formation. She said around 6.5 lakh people have registered under the scheme so far, which provides health insurance coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh to beneficiaries.
“Ayushman Bharat, the country’s and the world’s largest health scheme, was implemented in Delhi on the very first day of our government’s formation. Today, 6.5 lakh people have registered under this scheme, which provides life insurance coverage of Rs 10 lakh to the beneficiaries,” she said.
Detailing her plan for the betterment of the national capital, Chief Minister Gupta said the government has decided to convert 100 per cent of Delhi’s public transport buses into an emission-free electric fleet within the next three years.
Delhi Chief Minister Gupta, “The Delhi government has doubled its capital expenditure. Rs 30 thousand crore will now be spent on capital expenditure in Delhi… To make Delhi better, we have decided that within three years, 100% of Delhi’s public transport buses will be converted into an emission-free electric fleet. All the necessary arrangements have been made so that Delhi receives 11 thousand electric buses.”
The Jammu and Kashmir Police, its special operation group (SOG), and the CRPF have implemented a multi-tier security grid despite the challenging sub-zero temperatures and recent heavy snowfall. Security forces have significantly increased their presence on the roads
The number of mobile check-posts (nakas) has been increased across the Union Territory (UT), mostly in areas like Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam, and Anantnag in south Kashmir and Baramullah, Sopore, and Bandipora in north Kashmir, to conduct intensive frisking of vehicles and pedestrians.
Intelligence inputs regarding a coordinated cross-border conspiracy to disrupt the Republic Day ceremony have put agencies on high alert. This input involves reported movement and plans by foreign-based terror outfits, including Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, to disrupt the peace during the celebrations.
JKP and CRPF have intensified round-the-clock patrolling along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) using Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) and specialized SOG units to tackle any threat.
Security personnel are also conducting massive search and combing operations in upper forest areas and border districts like Shopian, Poonch, Rajouri, Bandipora, Kupwara, and Baramulla to neutralize potential threats. Apart from combing operations, all the entry points that connect those forests and borders are kept under vigil through mobile checkpoints.
Apart from that, at all ceremony venues, advanced surveillance systems, including drones and high-resolution CCTV, face recognition systems have been deployed to keep a check on anti-national elements.
