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)

Congress MP Sonia Gandhi was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi on Tuesday after she reported breathing discomfort. Doctors said her bronchial asthma showed a mild flare-up, likely due to cold weather and high air pollution levels in the city. She is under observation and is being treated with antibiotics and other support medicines. Hospital chairman Ajay Swaroop said she is responding well to treatment. The admission was described as a precaution after medical tests. Doctors said she is being monitored by a chest specialist. Her condition is stable and a decision on discharge will be taken based on her recovery over the next one or two days. (PC: X)

Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan triggered a controversy after asking if US President Donald Trump could “kidnap” India’s prime minister like Venezuela’s leader. His remark came while criticising high US tariffs on India. Many on social media mocked the comment, calling it absurd. Former Jammu and Kashmir police chief SP Vaid said the statement was humiliating for the country. Critics pointed out that India is a nuclear power and such comparisons are misplaced. Chavan later continued his attack on Narendra Modi over trade issues, saying India must look for new export markets.

The Election Commission of India on Tuesday released the draft voter roll of Uttar Pradesh after a Special Intensive Revision. About 2.89 crore names were deleted from the list. The total number of voters fell from 15.44 crore to 12.55 crore. Officials said nearly one in five names was removed. The deletions include deceased voters, people who shifted residence, and duplicate entries. The poll body said genuine voters can apply to be added back during the claims and objections period from January 6 to February 6. Similar revisions were recently completed in other states. (PC: PTI)

The Supreme Court on Monday refused bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjari said the allegations place them on a different footing from other accused. The ruling came weeks after the Delhi High Court also denied bail. BJP leaders welcomed the order. Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said Congress had shown sympathy to the accused. Delhi minister Kapil Mishra said the decision supports claims of a planned riot. Congress MP Imran Masood said bail is a fundamental right. CPI(M) criticised the order and raised concerns over long jail terms without trial. (PC: HT)

The release of Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders has triggered strong political reactions. The Board of Control for Cricket in India asked KKR to release the player after public backlash. Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sangeet Som called the move a “victory of Hindus”. He said public sentiments were ignored earlier. Several spiritual leaders also supported the decision. They cited alleged attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. Critics questioned KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan’s silence on the issue. (PC: PTI)