The BJP-led Mahayuti is set for a big win in the Mumbai civic polls, according to the Axis My India exit poll released on Thursday. The survey predicts the alliance will win between 131 and 151 of the 227 wards in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. The Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray is expected to get 58 to 68 wards, while the Congress may secure 12 to 16. The majority mark in the BMC is 114. Voting was held after a delay of four years. The civic body has an annual budget of more than ₹74,400 crore, making it India’s richest municipal corporation.

The Supreme Court on Thursday heard the Enforcement Directorate plea on alleged interference in its raids at political consultancy I-PAC in West Bengal. The ED sought suspension of state DGP Rajeev Kumar and alleged that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and senior police officers blocked searches and took documents. Appearing for Banerjee, senior advocate Kapil Sibal said the agency waited two years and raided the office close to elections. He claimed the premises held sensitive poll data and that no material was seized. The ED denied wrongdoing and said the chief minister committed theft. The court said it will hear all sides. (PC: India Today)

DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran triggered a row after remarks comparing women’s education in northern states with Tamil Nadu. Speaking at a women’s college in Chennai, he said, “In North Indian states, they ask girl children not to go for jobs and to stay inside the house and do housework.” He added that Tamil Nadu wanted its girls to study and work. Maran praised the DMK government and Chief Minister MK Stalin for promoting women’s education. The comments drew criticism on social media for making broad claims about northern states. The event was held to distribute laptops to final-year students under a state scheme. His remarks have since sparked political debate.

The BJP suffered a setback on Tuesday after losing the Vizhinjam ward bye-election in Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation. The party had hoped the result would secure a clear majority. UDF candidate K H Sudheer Khan defeated LDF nominee N Noushad by 83 votes. Khan polled 2,902 votes, while Noushad secured 2,819. BJP candidate Sarvashaktipuram Binu finished third with 2,437 votes. With this result, the BJP remains at 50 seats in the 101-member council and needs the support of Independent councillor P Radhakrishnan to reach the majority mark of 51. The UDF’s tally has risen to 20 seats, while the LDF stays at 29. (PC: HT)

Congress has criticised the BJP for holding talks with a Chinese Communist Party team in Delhi amid reports of Chinese activity in the Shaksgam Valley in Jammu and Kashmir. Party leader Supriya Shrinate said China was asserting claims while political meetings were taking place in India. She cited reports of construction in the area and raised concerns over border tensions. The BJP confirmed that a CCP delegation led by Sun Haiyan met party leaders at its headquarters. BJP leader Vijay Chauthaiwale said the meeting was part of routine inter party dialogue. The row has revived debate over past India China political engagements. (PC: India Today)

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance has released its manifesto for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, promising wide use of technology in civic work. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said an AI tool will be built with help from IIT to identify “Bangladeshi” and Rohingya migrants. He said the aim is to “free Mumbai” from illegal migrants. The document also promises AI labs in municipal schools and digital delivery of services. It proposes a 50 per cent fare cut for women on BEST buses and plans to double the bus fleet. Flood control, drainage upgrades and a ₹17,000 crore climate action fund are also listed. (PC: HT)

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said the Thackeray family can still “shut Mumbai in 10 minutes” despite recent poll setbacks. He made the remark at an NDTV event after Uddhav and Raj Thackeray reunited ahead of the 2026 BMC election. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dismissed the claim. He said such shutdowns were possible only when Bal Thackeray was alive and called the statement an “empty threat”. Raut said the cousins had set aside differences for the nation and that Raj Thackeray’s party must compromise for the alliance. He added that the Thackerays would not work with Eknath Shinde again. (PC: NDTV)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a large protest rally in Kolkata after the Enforcement Directorate raided offices of political consultancy I-PAC and the home of its director Pratik Jain. Thousands joined the march. The ED later moved the Calcutta High Court seeking an “urgent” hearing, alleging misconduct by the chief minister during the searches. The court hearing was deferred to January 14 after heavy crowding forced the judge to leave the courtroom. Earlier in the day, eight Trinamool Congress MPs were detained by Delhi Police while protesting outside Home Minister Amit Shah’s office. The Trinamool Congress called the raids arbitrary and illegal. (PC: India Today)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited two locations linked to poll firm I-PAC on Thursday as the ED carried out raids in a money laundering case. She first reached the home of I-PAC head Prateek Jain in central Kolkata, then went to the group’s office in Salt Lake. TV images showed her leaving both places with files, including a green folder. Banerjee said the action was ordered to access Trinamool Congress election plans and called it politically motivated. Sources said the ED is probing links between I-PAC and alleged proceeds from the Bengal coal scam. The agency has not yet issued a statement. (PC: India Today)

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has strongly condemned recent post-poll alliances between local BJP leaders and rival parties, the Congress and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), in Ambernath and Akot municipal councils as “unacceptable” and a breach of party discipline. He clarified that such tie-ups were neither approved by BJP leadership nor aligned with party policy, and ordered that they be undone, warning of strict disciplinary action against those responsible. The controversial alliances have sparked political backlash, with critics from Shiv Sena (UBT) accusing BJP of opportunism and violating coalition norms. (PC: PTI)