Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday dismissed allegations that Sangh controls the central government, saying that the organisation doesn’t engage in backseat driving and that the regime is run by those in power.

“We do not engage in backseat driving. The government is run by those who are in the government,” he said.

The RSS chief made the remarks while speaking on the second day of the Mumbai Vyakhyanmala lecture series, organised as part of the “100 Years of Sangh Journey.

However, the RSS chief expressed the organisation’s commitment to national service and its willingness to join government efforts.

He also revealed that when he turned 75, he had expressed desire to step down but RSS workers insisted he should continue.

“As far as I am concerned, when my 75 years were completed, I told the workers, but they said, “What has happened to you? You are roaming around, do the work…” I am here; this is not my wish. If I am not here; this is also not my option; this is the option of the Sangh,” he said.

Bhagwat further stated that his work will continue even after retirement. “The work of the Sangh continues throughout life…,” he added.

He also called for global unity among Hindus while referring to alleged atrocities against the minority community in Bangladesh.

Earlier on Saturday, Bhagwat had said that while Pakistan became a Muslim nation after partition in 1947, India remained a secular country because of Hindus.

Speaking at the two-day New Horizons lecture series marking the RSS Centenary Year, Bhagwat said that it was due to India’s Hindu nature that the country adopted a constitution.

“India has a constitution. It was created because of the Indian mindset… The country was divided into separate parts for Muslims and Hindus. But the newly separated Pakistan declared itself a Muslim nation. Pakistan broke up, Bangladesh was formed, and even that ultimately became a Muslim nation. We declared ourselves a nation for all, because we are Hindus.”

Amid allegations that India “ceded sovereignty” while allegedly agreeing to US President Donald Trump’s demand to stop the purchase of Russian Federation oil, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday claimed that buying crude oil from the United States is in India’s interest.

“The buying of crude oil or LNG, LPG from the US is in India’s own strategic interests as we diversify our oil sources. But the decisions are taken by the buyers, by the companies themselves,” he said.

Goyal also stated that the trade deal doesn’t discuss who will buy what and from where.

His remarks came amid the confusion over the issue of Russian oil purchase. Announcing the interim framework of the India-US trade deal, the White House claimed that New Delhi will stop buying Russian energy products and purchase more from the US.

However, India didn’t confirm any such agreement but dropped several hints suggesting that New Delhi may consider diversifying its oil sources.

Goyal further defended the agreement with the US, saying that the trade deal ensures that the pathway to trade is smooth and India gets preferential access.

“FTAs are all about preferential access to your competition. So, today when we got an 18% reciprocal tariff, we have a preference over other developing nations who are usually our competition…,” he stated.

Calling the Opposition’s criticism “absolute nonsense”, the minister described the agreement as a “labour of love” aimed at advancing India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

“Absolute nonsense. Whoever is articulating this must be a pretty ignorant person who doesn’t understand that this trade deal is truly a labour of love. It has come out of intense negotiations on both sides, in the best interests of our country’s stated goal to become a developed and prosperous country by 2047 – Viksit Bharat 2047,” he said.

brief 10-day Budget session of the Uttar Pradesh legislature will commence on Monday, with Governor Anandiben Patel addressing the joint session at 11 am.

The Budget proposals for the 2026-27 financial year will be tabled on February 11 by State Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at 11 am.

This will be the last full Budget of the Yogi Adityanath 2.0 government, as Assembly elections are scheduled for early 2027.

The opposition parties are also expected to be on their toes against the BJP-led NDA government over various issues. Matters such as new UGC rules, alleged SIR irregularities, corruption, lack of development, law and order, rising crime, privatisation of the power sector, unemployment, and gross mismanagement in conducting examinations are likely to be raised by the opposition during the session.

The issue of alleged insult to Brahmins through OTT web series and other caste-based discrimination is also expected to be raised.

Speaker Satish Mahana held an all-party meeting on Sunday to seek cooperation from all sides in ensuring the smooth functioning of the House. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and leaders of other parties were present. Earlier, the Speaker also chaired a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee to finalise the agenda of the House.

Leader of the Opposition and Samajwadi Party leader Mata Prasad Pandey alleged that the Budget session of the House is too short for meaningful discussion. “We are ready to cooperate with the Chair, but they must also allow us to speak and raise the people’s issues,” he said.

State Parliamentary Affairs and Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna said the government is ready to hear all issues, but they should be raised in accordance with the rules and traditions of the Assembly.

Meanwhile, the BJP and SP have summoned their members for legislative party meetings on Sunday to chalk out their strategies for the session.

The Yogi government is also slated to present Budget proposals of approximately ₹9 lakh crore this year, with several sops expected ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls.

The government’s main focus is expected to remain on the state’s development and the provision of facilities for the common people. Significant expenditure is expected, particularly on roads, bridges, urban development, and infrastructure.

In the last financial year, Uttar Pradesh’s Budget was approximately ₹8.08 lakh crore, which was 9.8 per cent higher than the previous year.

According to the State Assembly schedule, February 9 will see the Governor’s address and the laying of Bills, while on February 10, the House will be adjourned for the day after paying condolences on the deaths of two sitting members.

The Budget proposals for the 2026-27 financial year will be tabled by State Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna at 11 am on February 11 in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Following the presentation of the Budget, the House will begin a debate on the motion of thanks on the Governor’s address. The discussion will continue on February 12 and conclude on February 13 afternoon with the CM’s reply.

There will be no sittings on February 14 and 15 due to Saturday and Sunday.

The debate on the departmental budgets will be held from February 16 to 19, while the Budget will be approved on February 20 in the afternoon, before the end of the session.

Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi has welcomed the decision of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to provide a symbolic cheque of Rs 125 crore to promote pulses production in the state.

He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Agriculture Minister for this special support.

Shahi said here on Sunday that this financial assistance will prove to be a milestone in achieving the state’s resolve for increasing farmers’ income, nutritional security, and self-reliance in pulses. On this occasion, he also provided detailed information on the strategy formulated to promote pulse production in UP.

The UP Agriculture Minister informed that Uttar Pradesh is currently among the top pulses-producing states in the country and ranked fourth in 2024-25 with a production of 30.82 lakh metric tonnes.

UP contributes 12 per cent to India’s total pulses production of 256.83 lakh metric tonnes. The average productivity of pulse crops in the state is 12.01 quintals per hectare, which is significantly higher than the national average of 9.26 quintals per hectare.

In 2024-25, pulses were sown on an area of 25.66 lakh hectares, which is targeted to be increased to 30.77 lakh hectares in 2025-26.

The Agriculture Minister informed that under the Pulses Self-Reliance Mission, special emphasis is being laid on the distribution of improved seeds.

In 2025-26, a total of 1,05,642 quintals of certified seeds were distributed under various schemes. Under the state government’s free seed minikit scheme, 12,413 quintals of seeds were distributed, benefiting 92,517 farmers, while 17,297 quintals of seed minikits provided by the Government of India benefited 2,04,693 farmers.

The state is also performing well in the procurement of pulses, with 75.85 thousand metric tonnes procured in 2024-25.

Discussing the future strategy, he said that intercropping with sugarcane is being promoted. A special programme is being implemented for the cultivation of lentils on 40,000 hectares during the Rabi season of 2025-26 and black gram and green gram on 100,000 hectares during the Zaid season. For this, the target is to distribute 20,000 quintals of certified black gram and green gram seeds on subsidy during Zaid 2026.

The Zaid season is a short, intermediate agricultural season occurring between the Rabi and Kharif seasons, typically from March to June.

The Central Water Commission (CWC), under the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India is organising one-day stakeholders’ workshop on flood forecasting services and guidelines for preparation and appraisal of flood management Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) here on Monday.

Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation V L Kantha Rao, along with the Chairman, CWC, Anupam Prasad, Members of the Central Water Commission, and senior officers from the state governments, will inaugurate the workshop at the Auditorium, CWC Library Building, R K Puram, New Delhi at 10:00 am.

During the workshop, which will be held from 10 am to 5:30 pm, the focus will be on sharing CWC existing services and new initiatives with all stakeholders and seeking their feedback to strengthen Centre-state coordination in flood forecasting, preparedness, and flood management planning, and to promote effective utilisation of CWC’s forecasting and decision-support services by the state governments with support from various central organisation concerned.

“Forenoon technical sessions will highlight CWC’s flood forecasting capabilities, including short-range and seven-day advisory forecasts, inundation forecasting, integrated reservoir operation support, GLOF monitoring, and new initiatives such as AI/ML applications, use of extended-range rainfall forecasts from IMD, and flash flood forecasting,” the Ministry of Jal Shakti said on Sunday.

The state governments will share their experiences and initiatives in flood forecasting and coordination with the CWC.

The afternoon session will focus on the Guidelines for preparation, submission and appraisal of DPRs for flood management and anti erosion works, with emphasis on improving project quality and timely appraisal. The feedback from States will help in revising the guidelines.

The workshop will conclude with a session chaired by the Chairman, CWC, outlining key takeaways and the way forward.

The workshop is expected to contribute to improved flood preparedness, better-quality flood management proposals, and strengthened institutional coordination in line with the Government’s focus on disaster resilience and climate-responsive water management.

After failing to make an electoral impact in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections and the Supreme Court’s rejection to entertain the plea to cancel the Bihar Assembly elections, Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor, also known as PK, has launched a state-wide tour to strengthen the organisation at the grassroots.

Launching the “Bihar Navanirmaan Yatra” on Sunday from Bagaha in West Champaran district of Bihar, he said that the objective is to strengthen the organisation in every district by reconnecting with old associates, bringing new people into the organisation, and strengthening the organisational structure at the grassroots level.

On this occasion, Prashant Kishor appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to ensure that every woman entrepreneur who had applied for the ‘Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgaar Yojana’ gets Rs 2 lakh to further expand their businesses, as per the promise made before the elections.

He said that the party will go door-to-door to ensure that every woman receives this amount. He said that if the government fails to fulfil this promise, it will become clear that the announcement was made only for electoral gains.

Responding to questions about the poll outcome, Prashant Kishor said that the people of Bihar have defined everyone’s role — the NDA has got the mandate to run the government, RJD has been assigned the role of Opposition in the Assembly, and Jan Suraaj Party has been entrusted with the responsibility of working among the people on public issues.

“We are carrying out that responsibility with complete sincerity,” he added.

Recently, the Jan Suraaj Party had also filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, seeking fresh elections in the state, alleging misuse of a welfare scheme to influence voters.

In the petition, the decision of the Bihar government was challenged, under which Rs 10,000 each was allegedly transferred to women beneficiaries under the ‘Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgaar Yojana’ (Chief Minister’s Women Employment Scheme) after the announcement of the election schedule, in violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

Rejecting the petition, the Supreme Court said that it cannot issue sweeping directions to cancel the Bihar Assembly elections in their entirety at the behest of a political party.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has reached a framework for an interim trade agreement with the United States.

“This framework expands global opportunities for Indian exporters and MSMEs, while simultaneously safeguarding India’s agriculture sector, food security, the interests of our farmers and the strength of the rural economy”, he claimed.

Along with strengthening ‘Make in India’, it will create employment opportunities for women and youth, he added.

In a statement on Saturday night, the CM said, “the joint statement issued under the proposed bilateral trade agreement between India and the United States has given an important policy signal for Uttar Pradesh’s export-based economy.”

He said its impact will not be limited to trade figures, but will affect sectors such as textiles, leather, Agro-based industries, MSMEs and industrial manufacturing, where Uttar Pradesh’s participation is significant at the national level.

“The Bhadohi-Mirzapur carpet sector, which is globally known for handmade carpets, has long been facing challenges of price competitiveness in the US market due to high import duties. After the tariff reduction, improvement in the cost structure of these products is expected, which could boost export orders and long-term supply contracts,” he said. Similarly, the silk and handloom sector of Varanasi, which is stated to receive zero duty benefits under the joint statement, may gain better access to the US market amid limited but stable demand, he added.

This tariff framework is also considered important for powerloom and ready-made garment based production units of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Reduction in duties on products such as ready-made garments, man-made and cotton textiles could provide these units with comparative advantages in cost and pricing vis-à-vis countries like China, Vietnam and Bangladesh.
According to experts, if the required improvements are made in logistics and quality standards, this tariff relief could help make exports from Uttar Pradesh’s textile and carpet sector more stable and competitive.

The proposal in the India-United States tariff joint statement to limit US import duties on leather and footwear products from an average of 50 percent to 18 percent is being considered significant for Uttar Pradesh’s traditional leather clusters.

Regions such as Kanpur and Agra, where a large share of production is concentrated in MSMEs and artisan-based units, have long faced competitiveness challenges in the US market due to high tariffs and cost pressures. Kanpur’s leather industry is known for finished leather, footwear and related components, while the Agra footwear cluster is primarily export-oriented. The proposed tariff reduction is expected to lower overall export costs of these products, making pricing more competitive.

Units associated with home décor and handicrafts in regions such as Meerut, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Bulandshahr and Gautam Buddh Nagar have long been active in exports, but due to high tariffs and cost pressures, their competitive position in the US market remained limited. Tariff reduction is expected to lower overall export costs of these products, making pricing more viable in the US market.

Uttar Pradesh is the country’s leading mango-producing state and also plays a leading role in the production of potatoes, tomatoes, peas, green vegetables and spices. Until now, access of these products to the US market remained limited due to processing costs, tariffs and intense price competition.

Mega Food Parks, private processing units and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) established in the state can become part of the export chain through this framework. This is expected to promote value-added exports instead of raw agricultural produce.

The proposal in the India-United States tariff joint statement to provide zero or minimal additional duty on industrial products such as pharmaceuticals, generic medicines, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), machinery and auto components is being considered an important indicator for Uttar Pradesh’s industrial development. This provision has come at a time when the state government is prioritising industrial investment, cluster-based production and export-oriented manufacturing.

Pharma and manufacturing clusters are rapidly developing in Noida-Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Lucknow and the Bundelkhand region. Tariff relief could provide these units with better access to the US market and an opportunity to increase the share of Indian products in global supply chains. Especially for generic medicines and API-related products, this framework could form the basis for export stability and long-term contracts.

In the machinery and auto components sector, tariff relief is expected to improve cost competitiveness and help establish Uttar Pradesh’s units as alternative suppliers. According to experts, the tariff advantage available to India compared to China and other Asian countries could make Uttar Pradesh’s industrial regions viable manufacturing and sourcing destinations for US companies.

The joint statement has expressed commitment regarding imports and technical cooperation in semiconductor inputs, data centre hardware, cloud infrastructure and advanced digital technologies. This could have a direct impact on Uttar Pradesh’s emerging IT, electronics and data centre ecosystem, especially in Noida, Greater Noida and the Yamuna Expressway region.

Clarity in tariffs and technical cooperation is expected to improve the cost structure of data centre projects in the state and accelerate investment decisions. Uttar Pradesh is already attracting large-scale data centre investments, and this framework could help connect these projects to the global technology supply chain.

The India-United States tariff joint statement clearly records that protection of farmers’ interests will remain paramount in sensitive sectors such as agriculture, dairy, grains, millets, spices, poultry and genetically modified food. According to the document, the process of market opening will be kept phased, limited and balanced, so that import liberalisation does not adversely impact local farmers, livestock rearers and small producers.

For an agriculture-dominant state like Uttar Pradesh, this provision holds special significance, where a large population is directly or indirectly dependent on farming, dairy production and animal husbandry.

‘Run-or-chase’ has always been a common feature in the wild in all encounters – accidental or planned – between tiger and man, generally in quest or self defence or protection of wildlife and conservation of nature.

Alwar, a historic city, the abode to Sariska tiger reserve, on Sunday witnessed a mammoth race – The Alwar Tiger Half Marathon International Run’. However, it was not a run & chase affair, neither between predator and the prey nor between wildlife and its enthusiasts or conservationists or self defence or prey hunt. The runners – professionals, conservationists, fitness enthusiasts, locals, both young and old, ran not to escape chasing tigers, but for the fun of it and protection of the big cats.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma flagged off the 21-km half marathon – a unique event envisioned by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Wildlife Bhupendra Yadav. Yadav combined his task of evoking mass awareness on conservation of nature and wildlife with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mission ‘Fit India’.

Besides Sharma and Yadav, Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari, state Forests Minister Sanjay Sharma, event’s brand ambassador Randeep Hooda and a galaxy of dignitaries were present at the flagging-off ceremony that took place at 06:00am. More than 18,000 participants from eight countries ran for the cause of tiger, the nature, and for their own fitness.

The event comprised multiple race categories, including 21 km, 10 km, and 5 km run for different classes of participants including specially abled runners.

Yadav’s leadership and commitment to conservation shaped the ethos of the marathon, transforming a sporting event into a meaningful national movement.

The Union Minister puts it this way: “Alwar Tiger Marathon is a flagship community initiative combining fitness and environmental awareness, organised to support and draw inspiration from the Sariska tiger reserve, the only tiger sanctuary in the Delhi-NCR region”.

Amid ongoing tensions between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) over Pakistan’s decision to boycott their February 15 T20 World Cup 2026 clash against India, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has now entered the picture.

According to sources, a crucial meeting between the PCB and BCB has begun in Lahore, following days of back-channel discussions between the PCB and the ICC. Pakistan had earlier announced its decision to boycott the high-profile group-stage match as a show of solidarity with Bangladesh but has reportedly softened its stance after being informed about the potential financial and governance repercussions.

BCB President Aminul Islam arrived in Pakistan on Sunday ahead of an emergency ICC meeting scheduled to be held later today. Sources added that Islam will also meet PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi before returning to Dhaka. An ICC delegation led by its Deputy Chairman is also expected to arrive in Pakistan to discuss the issue with PCB officials.

The controversy escalated after Pakistan announced on social media that the Pakistan squad would not take the field against India on February 15 in Sri Lanka. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later linked the boycott to the broader Bangladesh dispute, calling it a symbolic act of solidarity.

Bangladesh had earlier been removed from the tournament and replaced by Scotland after their request to play all matches outside India could not be accommodated by the ICC. The decision followed the removal of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders’ squad after intervention from the BCCI amid concerns related to violence against minorities in Bangladesh.

The ICC has reportedly asked the PCB to clarify how it intends to invoke the ‘Force Majeure’ clause under the Members Participation Agreement (MPA), which requires strict evidentiary thresholds for non-participation. The governing body has also warned Pakistan of serious sporting, commercial, and governance consequences, including potential suspension or termination of membership in case of a major breach of obligations.

While the PCB believes it has a legal precedent based on a past bilateral dispute with the BCCI, where the Indian government’s refusal to allow a series was cited, the ICC remains firm that non-participation in the World Cup fixture could result in significant material damage.

At present, both sides are engaged in back-channel negotiations, with ICC directors Imran Khwaja and Mubashir Usmani continuing dialogue with the PCB. Neither the ICC nor the PCB has issued an official statement on the matter so far.

The Centre’s deadline to end Left Wing Extremism in Chhattisgarh entered its decisive phase on Sunday as Amit Shah chaired a high-level closed-door security review meeting in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. With barely seven weeks remaining before the March 31, 2026 cut off, officials described the deliberations as a critical strategic exercise aimed at consolidating recent gains and addressing remaining challenges in Maoist affected districts.

The meeting brought together Vishnu Deo Sai, Directors General of Police from Left Wing Extremism hit states, Additional Chief Secretaries (Home), and senior officials from central and state security agencies. Intelligence assessments, operational progress, force deployment patterns and inter state coordination mechanisms were reviewed in detail.

Officials said the discussions were focused on sustaining pressure in residual Maoist pockets, disrupting financial and logistical networks, and ensuring seamless coordination across state boundaries. The review is being seen as the final strategic consolidation before the Centre’s stated objective of eliminating Maoist influence in Chhattisgarh by March 31.

The deadline was earlier set by the Union Home Minister, following which security forces intensified multi agency operations across Bastar and adjoining forest regions. According to officials, sustained pressure, improved intelligence sharing and the expansion of forward security camps have significantly curtailed Maoist mobility and operational capacity.

After the meeting, Shah said Chhattisgarh had undergone a decisive transformation. In a post on social media platform X, he noted that a state once identified with Maoist violence was now emerging as a symbol of development under the BJP’s “double engine” government. He highlighted the growing engagement of youth in sports, forensic sciences and technical education, while preserving cultural traditions, and said development works were also reviewed during the Raipur meeting.

Chief Minister Sai described the security review as a strong indicator of decisive progress. He said a combination of focused security strategy, improved infrastructure, action against Maoist funding networks and an effective surrender policy was delivering visible results not only in Chhattisgarh but across other affected states. He reiterated the government’s resolve to meet the March 31 deadline under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of the Union Home Minister.

At the same time, surrender and rehabilitation initiatives under the state’s policy framework have gained momentum. Officials noted that the dual approach, firm enforcement alongside reintegration, remains central to the final phase of the campaign.

State Home Minister Vijay Sharma said the Raipur meeting was likely the last comprehensive strategic review before the deadline. He added that deliberations also extended to post conflict stabilisation and development planning in reclaimed areas.

During his visit, Shah is also scheduled to attend the Bastar Pandum cultural festival on Sunday, an event widely seen as reflecting Bastar’s cultural resurgence alongside the state’s parallel emphasis on development.

Security experts have indicated that decisions taken at the Raipur meeting will guide coordinated action in the coming weeks, as the Centre and the state attempt to translate the deadline into durable peace, marking what could be the closing phase of a conflict that has shaped Chhattisgarh’s internal security landscape for decades.

Owning a vintage car needs more than deep pockets! It requires a deep-seated passion for these automotive marvels. Organised on Sunday in Delhi, The Statesman’s 59th edition of the ‘Vintage & Classic Car Rally 2026’ once again proved that ‘old is gold and should never be sold.’

In an exclusive conversation with the newspaper, one of the participants, Uday Bahadur, who is in the real estate business and owns a vintage Bentley S1, enthusiastically spoke about his marvellous machine.

“I love vintage and classic cars. I collect them and ride them daily. This is a 1957 Bentley S1. She’s automatic with power steering. I’ve covered 55,480 km with her in the last 10 years. So she’s probably the most driven vintage car in India,” Bahadur said.

Talking about the car’s maintenance, he said, “It’s not very difficult. With regular preventive maintenance, there’s not much trouble.”

“I’ve got my own workshop and mechanics, so we maintain all our cars ourselves. I’ve just returned from Jaipur. I drove there and back, covering 648 km. And she won the rally,” he added.

When asked what he liked in his Bentley, he said, “The lines, the shape, and actually driving it. It’s a car with old-school looks.”

Responding to a question about the Delhi government’s vehicle-ban policy, Bahadur said, “It’s an emission problem, not an age issue. If a car is in very good condition, it will not pollute. The policy should not be linked to the age of the car but rather to its condition.”

Over a hundred vintage and classic cars participated in this year’s event.

The 1914 John Morris fire engine, owned by the Rail Museum, mesmerised automobile lovers at the 59th Edition of The Statesman Vintage and Classic Car Rally held in the national capital on Sunday.

Known for its eloquent looks, the fire engine caught everyone’s attention at the rally that was flagged off by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena from The Statesman House at Barakhamba Road in New Delhi at a glittering ceremony this morning.

The participating vintage and classic cars followed by a drive through the city reached the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium near India Gate on Sunday afternoon.

The John Morris fire engine is one of the priceless possessions of Indian Railways maintained at the National Rail Museum New Delhi. In the rally, it was the centre of attraction at both The Statesman House and Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

Car enthusiasts from all age groups, including women, children, and elderly, were seen taking pictures and selfies with the vintage fire engine.

“It is a great experience to see this machine. I have never seen a fire engine like this before,” exclaimed Priyanka, a vintage car enthusiast.

“Every year my husband visits the car rally and takes selfies with The 1914 John Morris fire engine,” she added.

The John Morris Fire Engine, manufactured in 1914, was acquired by the Nizam of Hyderabad for the Nizam State Railway for dousing fires. It was maintained in the Loco and Carriage workshops at Lallaguda, Hyderabad and was retired in 1960. It is the only vehicle in the world fitted with the original Shrewsbury and Challenger Solid Tyres and still retains all the original parts of its fire equipment.

The crowd at the rally flocked to have a glimpse of this most prestigious vintage fire engine.

Smaller vintage and classic cars and outstation cars were among the other highlights of the gala event.

The rally opened a window for the people of the national capital to have a glimpse of the enchanting era through vintage automobiles. Owners of the vehicles eagerly await the rally every year as it gives them a unique opportunity to drive their well-maintained machines of the bygone era on modern roads.

The Statesman Vintage and Classic Car Rally is an annual event that takes place in Delhi and Kolkata. It’s one of the oldest continuously running events in India and the sub-continent.

Commenced in 1964 in Delhi, the rally was taken to Kolkata in 1968.

Saima Khatun, 27, watched with horror as friends who worked in the newsroom of Dhaka-based Bangladesh Times were picked up by securitymen on Saturday. Though they were released within a few hours, she felt this was a precursor of things to come in her beloved city.

“Bangladesh under the Yunus regime has sunk into chaos. The run up to elections have been violent and worst of all the public place for liberals, for women and for minorities has shrunk far more than ever. … journalists write something freely and they get picked up,” the para-medical practitioner told UNI over the telephone from her home in Dhaka’s Keraniganj.

Khatun was one of those who had braved batons and bullets demanding an end to what she thought was a democracy deficit in Bangladesh one-and-a-half years back in August 2024 when a student revolt snowballed into a regime change, forcing Sheikh Hasina into exile in India.

She had briefly toyed with the idea of joining the new students’ party born out of this movement – National Citizens Party – led by another 27-year-old, Nahid Islam. But today as an election is just round the corner on February 12, she feels disillusioned.

“This is not the Bangladesh we wanted to build,” Khatun said.

On Friday, police had battled an Islamic political party’s workers at Shahbag in the heart of her city, resulting in over two scores of people being rushed to hospitals with injuries. Elsewhere, BNP workers clashed with workers supporting independent candidates at Natore district, midway between Dhaka and the Indian border.

At around the same time, Government servants sat in protest near the official residence of Muhammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh’s interim government, demanding wage hikes, while port workers at Chittagong struck work protesting possible lease to a multinational of the country’s shipping lifeline.

An organisation called Human Rights Support Society (HRSS), in a report said at least 195 people were killed and 11,229 injured in political violence over the past 17 months. Many of them in “political violence” leading up to the elections where some 127 million Bangladeshis will vote.

The forthcoming polls, slated to be held on Thursday, are shaping up to be among the most violent and consequential in the neighbouring country’s recent history. Far from a routine electoral exercise, the vote is unfolding amid street battles, labour unrest, administrative capture, and deep ideological polarisation—symptoms of a political system struggling to redefine itself after the dramatic collapse of Sheikh Hasina’s rule in August 2024.

With Awami League banned from the elections, the battle is between Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-i-Islami.

BNP is led by Tarique Zia, son of late dictator Gen Zia ur Rahman and Bangadesh’s first woman premier Khaleda Zia who had remained ensconced in London in a self-imposed exile after being arrested in a criminal case and then allowed to travel abroad, by a previous military backed caretaker government in 2008.

Jamaat, which has emerged as the third pole is led by a medical doctor-turned-traditional Islamist leader Shafiqur Rahman. Opinion polls by the US-based International Republican Institute (IRI) in December showed that BNP was ahead with a 33 per cent support base, while Jamaat which has traditionally managed to get between 5-12 per cent of the popular vote had a 29 per cent approval rating.

However, the poll also showed that 27 per cent of respondents opposed the ban on Awami League, which had led the country to independence in 1971.

“As a consequence of the ban on AL, two political forces now dominate the electoral landscape – BNP and Jamaat – the NCP is a distant third, but frankly BNP has an edge,” said Naem Nizam, former Editor of the newspaper Bangladesh Pratidin.

However, other analysts pointed out that actions by BNP’s cadre in the aftermath of the fall of the Awami Lague regime in widespread corruption and extortion has besmirched its image. A number of BNP leaders unhappy with the way the party is functioning have stood as independent candidates against the party set up by the Late General Zia ur Rahman, including the firebrand woman leader Farheen Rumana, central international affairs secretary of the party.

Jamaat which has till now been burdened by its role in supporting the Pakistan army during the 1971 war, actions that culminated in genocide, has managed to keep its hands clean, though it is seen as being against women’s rights and secular values.

However, Jamaat has one advantage – it has managed to embed its cadre and sympathisers in Bangladesh’s administration and will have the advantage of having insiders among those who man the electoral process. Hasina’s Awami League is not exactly lying low. It has come up with a campaign – “No Boat (AL’s election symbol), No Vote”. How successful the slogan and the campaign against polling will be an issue to be seen.

Though analysts also point out that strong arm tactics which the state, BNP and Jamaat may employ might force Awami League supporters to ultimately come out and vote. “And in case they don’t there is always the possibility of votes being cast in their names,” said Nizam with a chuckle.

However, the fear is not that the elections will not be held because of the violence which has preceded it, but the way the results will shape and the violence that may come afterwards if the results do not satisfy the political players in the field who not only include the parties contesting or barred from the contest but also the interim government and behind it the army which effectively remains a force behind the shadows of the current dispensation

Senior Congress leaders Sunday slammed Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for levelling serious allegations against Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, alleging him of having links with Pakistan.

Congress leaders attending the ‘ Samvidhan Samvad Mahapanchayat’ here strongly countered the Assam CM.

Congress national spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said that a video of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was posted on the official handle of the Assam BJP, in which he is seen firing a gun, with the caption – “Point Blank… Spot”.

She said, “A person who became Chief Minister in independent India after taking an oath on the Constitution is spreading violence and hatred to this extent, and his official handle is posting such a video. To divert attention, these people are levelling any kind of allegations against Gaurav Gogoi or anyone else. Such a person has no right to remain Chief Minister.”

Congress national spokesperson Pawan Khera said that for the last one and a half years, these people have been targeting Tarun Gogoi’s family. “Tarun Gogoi is considered the architect of modern Assam. This is hurting every person living in Assam. Himanta Biswa Sarma is going to lose the upcoming elections. There are serious allegations of corruption against him and his family. He is frustrated, which is why he is making baseless allegations,” Khera alleged.

Congress state president Ajay Rai said, “When the Bharatiya Janata Party’s power is threatened, they start looking for Pakistani connections. They are seeing defeat in Assam, so they are remembering Pakistan. Everyone knows how many incidents have happened during the BJP’s rule. Whether it was the Uri incident or the Pahalgam incident, bomb blasts or attacks – all of these happened during whose tenure? Under whose government did Azhar Masood go to Afghanistan? Under whose government were the terrorists released? Ajit Doval himself went to release them.”

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday alleged that Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi’s wife Elizabeth Gogoi had transmitted a confidential report to the Pakistani individual Ali Tauqeer Sheikh.

CM Sarma cited “findings” by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) he had formed to probe the so-called Pakistan link of Gaurav Gogoi and his wife.

According to the Assam CM, the SIT found out that a document dated August 5, 2014, which allegedly records the transmission of a 50-page report marked “confidential” by Elizabeth Gogoi to Ali Tauqeer Sheikh in Pakistan.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday claimed that the wife of Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, had transmitted a confidential report to the Pakistani individual Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, whose anti-India activities are under the lens, raising what he described as serious national security concerns.

CM Sarma said the allegations have emerged from findings highlighted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

According to the Chief Minister, the SIT has pointed to a document dated August 5, 2014, which allegedly records the transmission of a 50-page report marked “confidential” by Elizabeth Gogoi to Ali Tauqeer Sheikh in Pakistan.

He further claimed that the contents of the report included references to Intelligence Bureau communications, strategic recommendations for “low risk, low visibility” operations in India, and suggestions to bypass Central government oversight through sub-national engagement.

“Elizabeth Gogoi was an integral part of LEAD Pakistan — a climate-change non-profit founded by Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh — during her stint in Islamabad. She reportedly worked on international climate projects that were linked to both India and Pakistan, including shared involvement in the global Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN),” he told reporters.

His allegations came days after the senior Congress leaders unveiled a digital platform titled WhoIsHBS.com aimed at exposing CM Sarma’s alleged corruption and wrongdoings.

After the launch, Sarma had Wednesday said that he will file both civil and criminal defamation proceedings against Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi, Bhupesh Baghel, Jitendra Singh Alwar and Debabrata Saikia for making false, malicious and defamatory statements against him.

Reacting to his threats, “It is plain to see Himanta Biswa Sarma has got scared by our press conference today. Soon the details of his corruption and wealth will be made public in every village of Assam. If he has courage he should fight us in the court of public opinion instead of seeking refuge. P.S. I do not want to comment on hit and run.”

Echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a fitter India, a special edition of Sundays on Cycle was held at the Sarusajai Stadium Complex on Sunday, drawing Olympians, elite athletes and fitness enthusiasts to promote an active lifestyle.

The cycling rally was flagged off early in the morning by Assam Sports Minister Shrimati Nandita Garlosa, with around 400 participants covering a six-kilometre route along NH-27 and around the Sarusajai Stadium, now renamed the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex.

“This initiative, strongly promoted by Union Sports Minister Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, aligns perfectly with the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. Seeing the youth of Assam turn up on a Sunday morning for a cycling event is truly encouraging,” Garlosa said.

The 2012 London Olympians Jayant Talukdar (archery) and Bharat Chetri (hockey) led the cyclists, along with former world champion boxer Sarita Devi, Indian women’s football captain Ashalata Devi, and Dronacharya boxing coach Sandhya Gurung. Fit India brand ambassadors Bibhu Moni Singha, Nisha Kumari, Divya Ahuja and Shyamantak Ganguly also participated, adding star power to the event.

The sports complex came alive with yoga sessions and dance performances, while personnel from the ITBP, BSF and CRPF cheered on participants. A special kudo (Japanese martial art) demonstration by athletes from Sivasagar district further added to the festive atmosphere.

Chetri, who led India at the 2012 London Olympics, praised the nationwide initiative. “This is a remarkable platform to raise awareness about fitness across all age groups. The government is doing its part; now it is up to us to adopt a healthy lifestyle,” he said.

Dronacharya awardee Sandhya Gurung echoed the sentiment, calling Sundays on Cycle a powerful vehicle to promote better health and lifestyle habits across society.

Indian women’s football stalwart Ashalata Devi, who has represented India over 100 times, was encouraged by the turnout. “It was heartening to see youngsters taking time out to cycle on a Sunday. Parents are beginning to understand that life is more than just tuition and exams,” she said.

Blending fitness, celebration and community engagement, the event captured the essence of a nationwide movement aimed at inspiring healthier living across India.