West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission after a 90-minute meeting with CEC Gyanesh Kumar, alleging mass voter deletions during the Special Intensive Revision exercise. She accused the poll panel of acting as "BJP's IT cell," claiming 58 lakh voters were removed without hearings over minor spelling variations in Bengali surnames. Banerjee questioned why BJP-ruled Assam was exempt from SIR while Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu faced scrutiny. She alleged the CEC "misbehaved" and provided "garbage of lies," eventually walking out. The EC countered, citing TMC leaders' threatening language and vandalization of election offices, asserting rule of law would prevail. 

The government rejected opposition criticism of Union Budget 2026 and asked for a debate based on “facts and figures”. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said allegations over market losses and scheme renaming lack substance. She said rural development spending has increased and allocations support welfare goals. Market weakness on Budget day was linked by officials to the higher securities transaction tax on futures and options trades. The renaming of the rural jobs scheme to Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Abhiyan triggered political protests. Opposition leaders called it ideological. The government said the focus remains on delivery and funding, not labels or narratives. (PC: X)

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlined a three-duty framework as the main theme of Union Budget 2026 during her speech in Parliament. She said the government’s financial planning rests on three kartavya, or duties. The first is to accelerate and sustain economic growth by improving competitiveness. The second is to meet the aspirations of citizens. The third is to ensure every family, community and region gets access to resources and opportunities. Sitharaman said this approach needs a supportive ecosystem and described the budget as driven by youth power. This is her ninth consecutive budget under the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (PC: HT)

Sunetra Pawar on Friday took oath as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister, days after the death of her husband and NCP leader Ajit Pawar in a plane crash. She was unanimously elected leader of the NCP Legislature Party earlier in the day. The proposal was sent to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and cleared by the Governor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated her after the oath ceremony. Sharad Pawar said he was not aware of the decision in advance and clarified he is not directly involved in reunification talks. Party sources said the move was aimed at projecting Sunetra Pawar as Ajit Pawar’s political successor. (PC: X)

Rajya Sabha member Sunetra Pawar was unanimously elected leader of the Nationalist Congress Party legislature wing in Maharashtra on Saturday. The decision came three days after the death of her husband and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash near Baramati. Senior leaders proposed her name at a meeting held at Ajit Pawar’s office in Mumbai. Sunetra Pawar is expected to take oath later in the day as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister. She entered active politics in 2024, contested the Baramati Lok Sabha seat, and was later elected to the Rajya Sabha. The party said the move aims to ensure continuity during a period of transition. (PC: India Today)

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said the Mahayuti alliance will support any decision taken by the Nationalist Congress Party on the vacant Deputy Chief Minister post. “We will support whatever decision the NCP takes,” Fadnavis said. His statement comes ahead of Sunetra Pawar’s expected oath-taking as Deputy CM. She is the widow of late Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash. NCP sources said Sunetra Pawar may take oath on Saturday and continue holding key portfolios.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Friday said he was not consulted about Sunetra Pawar taking oath as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister. “I have no information about it. Her party must have decided,” he said. Pawar added that he learnt about it only through newspapers. He also said talks on merging the two NCP factions have been paused after the death of Ajit Pawar. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “We will support whatever decision the NCP takes.” Sunetra Pawar is expected to take oath after a party meeting in Mumbai. (PC: PTI)

Sunetra Pawar, wife of late Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, will be sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister Saturday at 5 pm, sources confirm. She accepted the proposal and will hold Excise and Sports portfolios previously managed by her husband. The Finance portfolio temporarily remains with CM Devendra Fadnavis for the March budget session before transferring to NCP. Senior NCP leaders proposed Sunetra's elevation ahead of February 7 Pune Zilla Parishad elections. Family discussions preceded her acceptance. Ajit Pawar, 66, died Wednesday when his chartered aircraft crashed at Baramati airport, killing all five aboard. His last rites occurred Thursday with full state honors, attended by Amit Shah, Sharad Pawar, and other dignitaries. (PC: PTI)

Following Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's fatal plane crash Wednesday, momentum builds for merging the two Nationalist Congress Party factions, dubbed his "last wish." Aide Kiran Gujar revealed Ajit told him five days before the crash that merger processes were complete and imminent. Former minister Anil Deshmukh confirmed it was Ajit's "heartfelt wish." NCP leaders Bhujbal, Tatkare, and Munde met CM Fadnavis discussing Ajit's portfolios including Finance and Planning. Saturday's legislative party meeting may elect Ajit's wife Sunetra Pawar as NCP chief and potentially deputy CM. Ajit's faction allies with BJP-Shinde government while uncle Sharad Pawar's faction opposes them. Both recently contested civic polls together, signaling reconciliation momentum.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah leveraged the India-EU Free Trade Agreement as a campaign strategy at a Dibrugarh rally ahead of Assam Assembly polls. Shah announced that the FTA, sealed January 27, would eliminate tariffs on Assam tea exports to all 27 EU nations, significantly boosting the state's tea industry. Assam produces 52% of India's tea output, approximately 650 million kilograms projected for 2025. The deal targets Upper Assam's tea-growing communities and the Ahom population, key voting blocs where BJP has gained ground since 2014. The FTA, effective by 2027, removes duties on 99% of Indian exports by value, positioning Assam tea to compete globally against Sri Lankan, Kenyan, and Chinese producers. (PC: India Today)