Congress leader Pawan Khera challenged PM Modi to visit violence-hit Manipur while he's in neighboring Assam, even booking a Guwahati-Imphal flight ticket for him. Khera urged Modi not to abandon Manipur, which has been experiencing unrest since 2023, with fresh violence erupting recently. On February 6, protests against new Deputy Chief Ministers turned violent in Churachandpur. On February 10, armed men set fire to abandoned houses in Ukhrul district following alleged assault of a Tangkhul Naga community member, prompting internet suspension for five days. At least 21 houses were burned, and hundreds of villagers from Kuki and Tangkhul Naga communities fled their homes seeking shelter in safer locations.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi met farmer leaders in Parliament to discuss the India-US trade deal. He said the agreement harms farmers and called Prime Minister Narendra Modi “surrender” Modi.   Farmer groups raised concerns over soyabean, cotton, fruits and corn. They said foreign imports could hurt local farmers.   Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal rejected the claims. He called the meeting “stage-managed” and accused Congress of spreading a fake narrative.   The BJP and Congress continue to clash over the impact of the trade deal on agriculture.

Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran dismissed actor‑turned‑politician Vijay and his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) after Vijay claimed TVK would win a majority in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections and form the next government. Nagendran called Vijay “completely inexperienced” and said he should engage more with grassroots politics, predicting TVK would fail to win any seats. TVK previously cited an internal survey showing it close behind the ruling DMK in vote share, while Vijay insisted his party would not join alliances with either the INDIA bloc or the BJP‑led NDA. (PC: India Today)

Bangladesh Nationalist Party chief Tarique Rahman is leading in early vote counting in his Bogura-6 (Sadar) constituency and is viewed as the main contender for prime minister. Partial results from 27 of 150 centres show Rahman with 38,428 votes. His closest rival, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Abidur Rahman, has 17,428 votes, according to local reports. Reuters said that by late evening, BNP was ahead in 50 seats and Jamaat in 18. Bangladesh’s parliament has 300 seats, and 151 are needed for a majority. Voting ended earlier in the day in the first national election since former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was removed from office. (PC: HT)

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticised Rahul Gandhi over his “Bharat Mata sold” remark in Lok Sabha. She said Prime Minister Narendra Modi always acts in India’s interest. She accused the previous Congress government of “selling farmers” and surrendering before the WTO.   Sitharaman rejected Gandhi’s claims on data and artificial intelligence. She said India is promoting data centres so data stays in the country. She added that the India AI Mission has been given ₹1,000 crore for 2026-27.   Gandhi had alleged that the trade deal with the US weakens India’s control over data and harms national interest.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the government over the India-US trade deal during the Budget debate in Lok Sabha. He called the deal a “sell-out” and a “surrender.” Gandhi said India should negotiate with the US as an equal. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of weakening India’s sovereignty.   He raised concerns over tariffs, digital trade rules and data control. Gandhi said farmers and textile workers would suffer. He also claimed energy security was at risk. The BJP rejected his charges. The speech marked a fresh attempt by Congress to set a new political narrative.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri denied allegations linking him to Jeffrey Epstein. Responding to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks in the Lok Sabha, Puri said, “I met him only three or four times as part of a peace delegation.”   He said the meetings were official and not linked to Epstein’s crimes. “Our interactions had nothing to do with the charges against him,” Puri added.   The minister said US authorities have released millions of documents and only a few mention him. He stressed that his email exchanges were professional. Epstein was arrested in 2019 on sex trafficking charges and later died in jail.

Ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026, Chief Minister M K Stalin expressed strong confidence that the DMK will retain power on its own while continuing its alliance with the Congress, dismissing speculation of rifts. At an India Today Roundtable, he criticised the BJP-AIADMK alliance’s “double engine” development model, calling it a “dabba engine” and accusing the NDA of spreading lies and communal tension ahead of the polls. Stalin rejected power-sharing demands from allies and reaffirmed DMK’s governance record. Campaigning has intensified across parties as the April-May election nears, with the BJP-led NDA pushing its narrative in the state. (PC: India Today)

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla decided not to attend Parliament until the no-confidence motion seeking his removal is discussed and resolved, sources revealed Tuesday. Though rules don't mandate his absence, Birla chose to recuse himself voluntarily. The motion could be discussed March 9, requiring fifty MPs' support. Under Article 96(1), Speakers cannot preside when their removal is considered but may participate in floor proceedings. Opposition parties filed the notice citing instances including preventing Rahul Gandhi from quoting General MM Naravane's unpublished book and suspending eight MPs. Congress MP Manickam Tagore called it "an extraordinary step born out of extraordinary circumstances," citing consistent denial of opportunities to raise public issues. (PC: PTI)

Opposition parties have submitted a no-confidence notice against Om Birla, seeking his removal as Lok Sabha Speaker. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said the notice was filed at 1:14 pm under Rule 94C of the House rules. He said about 118 MPs signed the proposal. Opposition leaders alleged bias, denial of speaking time, and repeated disruptions in the House. Congress MP Manickam Tagore called it an “extraordinary step” taken under “extraordinary circumstances.” Party sources said Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi did not sign the notice, citing parliamentary propriety. The move comes amid continued clashes between the opposition and treasury benches during the Budget Session. (PC: India Today)