The writing had been on the wall for Sanju Samson for some time. A modest return of 49 runs across the five-match T20I series against New Zealand left him short of time to secure his place, especially with Ishan Kishan scripting a compelling comeback to the Indian setup after a two-year absence.

Kishan’s maiden T20I century and a half-century in the series virtually forced the team management’s hand, making it increasingly untenable to persist with an out-of-form opener on the eve of a T20 World Cup defence.

On Wednesday, the Indian think tank made the expected move, unveiling a fresh opening combination by promoting Kishan to partner Abhishek Sharma in the first warm-up fixture ahead of the tournament, which begins on February 7.

At the toss, captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed the change—an unmistakable signal that Samson’s World Cup prospects may have taken a significant hit.

“We are going to bat first. It is something we have been doing well. There might be some dew later in the evening, so we want to test our bowlers in challenging conditions and defend whatever total we get,” Suryakumar said.

Samson’s position has been under scrutiny for several months. Ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, he opened alongside Abhishek Sharma and produced steady returns. However, the subsequent inclusion of Shubman Gill altered the balance at the top, pushing Samson into the middle order. The shift disrupted his rhythm and sparked calls for his reinstatement as an opener.

Gill’s lean patch and sluggish strike rate eventually prompted selectors to recall Kishan following a prolific Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign. Yet Samson was handed a final extended run during the New Zealand series, featuring in all five matches despite his lack of returns.

Kishan, meanwhile, batted at No.3 and notched up his maiden T20I century. The management’s thinking became clearer when Kishan was entrusted with the wicketkeeping duties in the fifth T20I.

The decision to elevate Kishan to the top paid immediate dividends on Wednesday. At the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, around 30 kilometres from the Wankhede Stadium, where India begin their title defence against the USA on Saturday, Kishan set the tone with a scintillating 20-ball 53.

What stood out was not just the pace of Kishan’s scoring, but the fact that he outpaced even the ultra-aggressive Abhishek at the other end. The left-hander from Ranchi wasted no time, launching two sixes in the opening over to underline the management’s faith in the left-handed opening pair as the World Cup draws closer.

Abhishek, unusually measured early on, soon found his range, stitching together a hat-trick of boundaries off Corbin Bosch to complement Kishan’s assault. By the time Abhishek struck his first six of the evening—off the opening ball of the fifth over—India had already raced to 50.

Kishan remained in ominous touch throughout, dismantling Anrich Nortje with three sixes and a four as he closed in on his half-century. He brought up the milestone in style, depositing Mphaka over the long-on boundary in the following over, before retiring out after providing India with an ideal platform.

Notably, there was no sign of Samson at No.3 either, nor even in the top six.

Instead, Tilak Varma (45 off 19 balls) made a spectacular return to India colours after recovering from testicular surgery, while skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who announced his arrival with a six off Nortje, also struck a brisk 16-ball 30. Axar Patel and Rinku Singh rounded out the top six as India surged towards a massive total.

For Samson, however, this may well have been the final verdict. Omitted from the top six as India locked in their preferred combinations in a rematch of the 2024 T20 World Cup final, the Kerala right-hander appears to have fallen out of the selectors’ plans at the worst possible time.

Expelled CPM leader V Kunhikrishnan‘s book, titled Nethruthwathe Anikal Thiruthanam (The Rank and File Should Correct the Leadership), was released at a function held at Gandhi Park in Payyannur on Wednesday.

Joseph C Mathew, IT advisor of former Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan, released the book by handing a copy of the book to fellow Left traveler late MN Vijayan’s son and writer VS Anil Kumar.

A large crowd turned up at the event, despite opposition from the CPM. Many people reached the stage and shook hands with V Kunhikrishnan and congratulated him. The book launch ceremony was held amid chants of “Inquilab Zindabad” raised by the audience.

In his welcome speech, Kunhikrishnan said there was a campaign through the new media that the book launch ceremony had been postponed. “I am being personally abused. Obscene messages that cannot be said in front of the audience have continuously come through WhatsApp. I am personally getting into things that are a form of glory killing and an attempt to implement Goebbelsian tactics in the new era as well,” he said.

Joseph C Mathew, in his speech after the launch of the book, said that Kunhikrishnan is also saying things similar to what VS Achuthanandan said.

Achuthanandan was expelled from the Politburo for standing with the truth. He asked when communism and truth became two separate things.

The book, which contains 16 chapters and spans 96 pages, serves as an exposé on alleged corruption, mismanagement of party funds, and the rise of “crony capitalism” by the local CPM leadership.

Kunhikrishnan, in his book reportedly argues that the party has become “poll-oriented” and that leaders are abusing the principle of democratic centralism to protect those involved in financial wrongdoing. The book claims that if the party is to improve, the leadership must be corrected by the rank and file.

Earlier on January 30, the Kerala High Court ordered police protection for the function of the release of the book.

A single bench of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas directed the District Police Chief, Kannur and the SHO, Payyanur to ensure that there is adequate protection to the life of the expelled CPM leader ahead of the release of his book.

The CPM on January 26 expelled the party’s Kannur district committee member Kunhikrishnan from the party for making serious allegations against Payyannur MLA TI Madhusoodanan and others.

‎Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday congratulated Yumnam Khemchand Singh on taking oath as the Chief Minister of Manipur, and expressed confidence that the new government will work dedicatedly for the state’s development and prosperity.

‎In a post on X, the Prime Minister also extended his best wishes to Nemcha Kipgen and Losii Dikho on being sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers of Manipur. He congratulated Konthoujam Govindas Singh and Khuraijam Loken Singh as well on assuming office as Ministers in the newly formed state government.

‎“Congratulations to Shri Yumnam Khemchand Singh Ji on taking oath as the Chief Minister of Manipur,” the Prime Minister said. He added, “I would like to congratulate Smt. Nemcha Kipgen Ji and Shri Losii Dikho Ji on taking oath as the Deputy Chief Ministers of the state and Shri Konthoujam Govindas Singh Ji as well as Shri Khuraijam Loken Singh Ji on being sworn in as Ministers in the Manipur Government.”

‎Expressing optimism about the new leadership, Prime Minister Modi said he was confident that the team would “work diligently towards furthering development and prosperity for my sisters and brothers of Manipur.”

‎The oath-taking ceremony marks the formation of a new government at a crucial juncture for the northeastern state, which is focused on restoring normalcy, strengthening governance, and accelerating development initiatives. The induction of two Deputy Chief Ministers is being viewed as an effort to promote inclusive leadership and ensure balanced administration.

‎Manipur holds strategic importance in the Northeast and plays a significant role in India’s Act East Policy. With its rich socio-cultural diversity, the state faces unique governance challenges and opportunities. The new government is expected to focus on peace-building, economic growth, infrastructure development, and welfare-oriented governance, while addressing the aspirations of people across regions and communities.

‎Political observers note that the Prime Minister’s message reflects the Centre’s emphasis on cooperative federalism and signals continued support for Manipur’s development journey under the new leadership.

The Privileges Committee of the Maharashtra state Legislative Council on Wednesday issued summons to controversial stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena leader Sushma Andhare for allegedly making “insulting” remarks against Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde in March 2025.

Talking to media persons here on Wednesday, BJP Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Prasad Lad, who is the Chairperson of the council’s Privileges Committee, said that the notice was issued to Kamra and Andhare 15 days ago, adding that they have been asked to appear before the Committee for a hearing at 2 pm on Thursday.

“If they fail to turn up after two summons, the Committee will decide about taking action against them,” Prasad Lad said.

Incidentally, Kunal Kamra, who now lives in Tamil Nadu, had parodied a popular Bollywood film song, allegedly ridiculing breakaway Shiv Sena chief and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena leader Sushma Andhare allegedly supported the parody and also criticised Shinde.

Allegedly, during a live stage performance, Kunal Kamra, who lived in Mumbai until a few years ago, sang a parody based on the song ‘Bholi Si Surat’ from the 1997 Bollywood film ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’. The parody was perceived as being directed at Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, though he was never directly named in the song. Kamra had also allegedly used the word ‘gaddaar’ (traitor) in the parody song to describe a politician widely assumed to be Eknath Shinde. Kamra’s parody song was perceived to be a reference to Shinde’s rebellion and forming another political party after splitting the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena in 2022.

This led to multiple FIRs being filed against Kunal Kamra, including one based on a complaint by Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, after a video of Kunal Kamra’s Mumbai show called ‘Naya Bharat’ went viral online.

It also led to a mob led by Rahul Kanal, a functionary of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, vandalising the Habitat Studio Comedy Club at the Unicontinental Hotel in Mumbai’s Khar West suburb. The Mumbai police later arrested Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena functionary Rahul Kanal, along with 11 others, for ransacking the venue at the hotel.

Later, when Shinde Sena workers threatened Kunal Kamra on the phone, saying they would teach him a lesson, Kamra told them they were welcome to come to Tamil Nadu, where he has been residing for the past few years.

BJP MLC Pravin Darekar had moved a breach of privilege notice against Kunal Kamra and Uddhav Sena leader Sushma Andhare for allegedly making “derogatory remarks” against Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde, whose party is a constituent of the BJP-led Mahayuti government.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of large-scale bank loan fraud involving Reliance Communications (RCOM), its group companies and businessman Anil Dhirubhai Ambani, stressing that the investigation must be taken to its logical conclusion.

A Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi said the seriousness of the allegations warranted a senior-level probe by the ED.

“ED is well advised to constitute a SIT comprising senior officers and take all the measures so that the ongoing probe is taken to a logical conclusion,” the Court observed in its order.

During the hearing, the Court also recorded an undertaking by Anil Ambani’s counsel that he would not leave the country without the Court’s permission. The assurance was noted after concerns were raised about the possibility of Ambani travelling abroad while the investigation was ongoing.

“He will not leave without the permission of this court,” Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Ambani, assured the Bench.

Recording this, the Court noted: “SG has assured that all preventive action will be taken to not hinder the probe. Mr Rohatgi assured that his client will not leave the country without leave of this court.”

In addition to directing the ED to form a SIT, the Court also instructed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to thoroughly examine whether any collusion or conspiracy by bank officials facilitated the alleged fraud.

“It is imperative for CBI to probe the conduct of bank officials to check if funds were released with the collusion of bank officers. We direct that the CBI must look into the nexus, collusion, conspiracy, if any, and for that purpose, all lawful measures to take the investigation to its logical end be adopted,” the Court said.

The Bench expressed concern over submissions indicating delays in the investigations by both agencies. While refraining from making any final observations at this stage, it emphasised the need for prompt and impartial action.

“It may not be appropriate for us to express any opinion at this stage except to observe that there has been an unexplained delay on the part of the ED… Both agencies have taken their own time to take action. We expect both agencies to act promptly, independently, fairly and in a dispassionate manner,” the Court said.

The Court directed the ED and the CBI to file status reports within four weeks, and orally indicated that it would expect regular updates thereafter.

“We expect that your agencies must act fairly and independently and very skillfully. We would like to have status reports every month. In four weeks, let us see how you take the investigation to a logical conclusion. Such a huge amount has been siphoned!” the CJI said, addressing Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.

As the hearing concluded, the Bench added, “We are hopeful that CBI and ED will do their job.”

The matter arises from a public interest litigation filed by former Union Secretary E.A.S. Sarma, who has sought a court-monitored investigation into the alleged fraud. The plea alleges that between 2013 and 2017, RCOM and its subsidiaries—Reliance Infratel and Reliance Telecom—availed loans exceeding ₹31,500 crore from a consortium of banks led by the State Bank of India.

Relying on forensic audit reports, the petition claims large-scale diversion of funds through related-party transactions, circular routing and evergreening of loans. It also highlights a nearly five-year delay by SBI in acting on a forensic audit report received in 2020, contending that the delay raises serious concerns of institutional complicity.

‎The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to host a National Conference of State Election Commissioners (SECs) on February 24 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. This marks the first national-level meeting of election authorities from across the country in more than 25 years, with participation expected from SECs representing all States and Union Territories.

‎The last such conference was held in 1999. The upcoming event aims to strengthen institutional coordination between the ECI and State Election Commissions amid an increasingly complex electoral environment.

‎Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar will chair the conference, accompanied by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. They will kick off the event with an inaugural address to guide the day’s discussions.

“The conference offers a valuable opportunity to renew dialogue and deepen cooperation between the Election Commission of India and the State Election Commissions, each operating within their distinct constitutional and legal frameworks,” said the Chief Election Commissioner. “Our shared goal is to uphold transparent, inclusive, and technologically advanced elections at every level.”

‎State Election Commissioners, along with their legal and technical experts, will participate in comprehensive discussions on policy and operational matters. Additionally, Chief Electoral Officers from all 36 States and Union Territories will attend.

‎The primary objective is to foster synergy between the ECI and SECs in managing electoral processes and logistics while respecting their respective legal mandates. Key topics will include electoral laws on voter eligibility, technological initiatives like the ECINET digital platform, the management of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), and best practices in electoral roll preparation and election administration.

‎State Election Commissions, established under the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments through State legislation, oversee the preparation of electoral rolls and conduct elections for Panchayats and Municipal Bodies.

‎An Election Commissioner highlighted that the conference will facilitate alignment of strategies, sharing of best practices, and exploration of how technology and legal clarity can strengthen grassroots democracy.

‎The ECI anticipates that this conference will lay the foundation for ongoing collaboration between national and state election bodies, reinforcing the integrity and effectiveness of India’s multi-tier electoral system.

Kalyan Atole, the sarpanch of Gojubavi village in Baramati, where the late Ajit Pawar died in an air crash, met NCP founder Sharad Pawar on Wednesday in Baramati and informed him about an unknown man who was seen coming out of the crashed aircraft.

“The door of the crashed aircraft was open at the time of the accident. Initially, we saw a person wearing blue pants coming out, but later we did not see him. We also did not know that Ajit Dada was onboard and thought it belonged to some businessman,” Gojubavi village sarpanch Kalyan Atole told Sharad Pawar.

Incidentally, Ajit Pawar-led NCP MLA Amol Mitkari was the first to speak about what Gojubavi village sarpanch Kalyan Atole told Sharad Pawar on Wednesday.

Mitkari also raised questions about the quality of the aircraft on which the late Ajit Pawar had flown and the background of the pilots. “On what criteria was the Learjet 45 aircraft, which has a history of accidents and safety defects, chosen to transport a very important person like the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar? Also, pilot Sumit Kapoor had a record of government action and suspension for alcohol-related reasons and was asked to fly the aircraft at the last moment. Whose decision was this, and on what medical fitness, CRM, and safety clearance was it made?” Mitkari asked. He shared a photograph of a burnt chair recovered from the crashed aircraft at the accident site.

Mitkari said that after visiting the air crash site at 5 pm on the day of the accident, Gojubavi village sarpanch Kalyan Atole told him about what he had witnessed. “He said he saw someone trying to jump out of the aircraft. The sarpanch told me that as they tried to save the person coming out of the aircraft, there was a sudden explosion,” Mitkari said.

Mitkari said it was his firm resolve to continue fighting until the truth behind Ajit Pawar’s death comes out. “If Ajit Pawar was assassinated, then it is the responsibility of everybody who loves him to avenge his death.”

In a related development, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena leader Sushma Andhare also raised questions about the quality of the aircraft in which the late Ajit Pawar was travelling.

Speaking at a Zilla Parishad election campaign meeting in Solapur district on Wednesday, Sushma Andhare expressed doubts over the plane crash that killed the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar last Saturday. “Why was an aircraft that had been declared unfit by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) a year ago allotted for Ajit Pawar’s travel?” Sushma Andhare asked.

“The aviation regulatory authority should provide information about Ajit Dada’s air crash. However, the BJP is giving different answers. Many questions remain unanswered, and no one is giving any concrete answer. People are wondering if Ajit Pawar was assassinated. Why is the BJP angry about people asking questions?” Sushma Andhare said.

Under the Special Intensive Revision( SIR) of the Electoral Rolls-2026 drive in Uttar Pradesh, the Election Commission of India ( ECI) has decided to set up ‘Voter Assistance Centres’ at every polling station in all assembly constituencies of the state for the convenience of voters.

Under the special intensive revision programme, the draft electoral roll was published on January 6, 2026, and claims and objections have been received since that date. To make this process more convenient and accessible for voters, instructions have been issued to establish Voter Assistance Centres at polling stations, state Chief Electoral Officer ( CEO) Navdeep Rinwa said here on Wednesday.

He said that the presence of the Booth Level Officer (BLO) concerned will be mandatory at the Voter Assistance Centers from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on every working day.

“The Booth Level Officer will have access to the draft electoral roll published on January 6, 2026, the final electoral roll from the previous special intensive revision of 2003, and lists of deceased, transferred, absent, and duplicate entries. Sufficient quantities of Forms 6, 7, 8, and declaration forms will also be available. Instructions have also been given to the BLOs to assist eligible citizens at the Voter Assistance Centres with mapping from the 2003 electoral roll and filling out Forms 6, 7, and 8,” the CEO said.

Rinwa also said that all District Election Officers have been directed to widely publicise the establishment and functioning of the Voter Assistance Centres through print media, electronic media, and social media, so that the maximum number of voters can benefit from this facility.

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday expressed satisfaction with the probe by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the sensational Sabarimala gold theft case, stating that the investigation is proceeding in the right direction and assured that no accused will be allowed to go scot-free.

A division bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar observed that the SIT probe into the alleged misappropriation of gold from the Sabarimala temple was progressing well and hence there was no need to hand over the investigation to the CBI.

The court made the observation while hearing a batch of petitions, including one filed by BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, seeking a CBI inquiry into the theft of temple gold, including parts of the Dwarapalaka idols and the sanctum sanctorum.

The court stressed that no accused would escape just because he was granted statutory bail due to the fact that the charge sheet in the case was not filed in the stipulated time. No one, who committed the crime, will escape the law, the court added.

The bench said that the SIT was a good unit with competent officers and the judiciary would not “demoralise them by questioning their work.” It underlined that it was actively monitoring the investigation and was aware of all the things unearthed by the SIT.

The SIT has so far made 12 arrests in the case. Of the arrested accused, three are out on statutory bail due to the delay in filing the charge sheet within the stipulated time of 90 days from arrest. Prime accused Unnikrishnan Potty has also secured statutory bail in both cases and is expected to be released once bail formalities are completed.

The high court’s observations come as a setback to the Opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), which has been alleging interference by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) in the investigation. They alleged that the undue delay in filing the charge sheet in the case was because of the interference of the CMO.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday cautioned the Election Commission of India (ECI) to exercise due care while issuing notices to voters flagged as “logical discrepancies” – name mismatch, during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, observing that linguistic variations and local dialect differences must not result in wrongful exclusion of genuine voters.

A Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi issued notice on a Public Interest Litigation petition filed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in her individual capacity challenging the SIR and seeking a direction that the upcoming State Assembly elections be conducted on the basis of the 2025 electoral rolls.

The Court’s observations came amid concerns raised over nearly 1,30 crore names categorised as “logical discrepancies”, which includes 70 lakh names relating to spelling variations.

“Please send notices carefully. You cannot put out notable authors etc.,” the Chief Justice told the ECI, stressing the need for sensitivity in the process. The obvious reference to notable authors was to Nobel laureate Amartya Sen whose name too has figured in the category of logical discrepancies.

Appearing for Banerjee, Senior Advocate Shyam Divan questioned the manner in which names under the logical discrepancy category were being flagged and displayed. Referring to the Court’s earlier direction allowing public display of such lists, he said the exercise had led to confusion and hardship.

To this, CJI Kant said, “I had the advantage of my two brothers from West Bengal (Justices Bagchi and Dipankar Datta). They told me how pass certificates are issued and that is why we included it.”

Divan then highlighted the scale of the problem, stating: “Please see the brief note by the petitioner… see the number of days left to complete the hearing—only 4 days. Unmapped voters are 32 lakh. 1.36 crore in logical discrepancy list. Hearings pending 63 lakh… number of micro-observers deputed is 8,300. They are not contemplated under the Constitution at all… Domicile certificates, Aadhaar, OBC certificate—none of these are being accepted. People are in 4–5 hours queues.”

He further argued that the ECI had failed to disclose reasons for including individual names in the logical discrepancy list. “Some short reasons must be given. People should know why they are not in the list,” Divan said.

Justice Bagchi noted that the Court had been informed that reasons were uploaded on the ECI website. CJI Kant added: “Yes, to the extent the person should know is fine… only thing is the mode in which they are informed. We were told that the list is not only communicated, but individual notices are being given.”

Divan urged the Court to direct the ECI to withdraw all notices pertaining solely to name mismatches. When the CJI remarked that such a direction might be impractical, Divan pointed out that nearly 70 lakh discrepancies were limited to spelling issues.

Illustrating the problem, CJI Kant observed: “Suppose one person writes Dutta and some may spell it as Datta…”

Justice Bagchi added, “Same with Bandhopadhyay.”

Addressing ECI counsel and Senior Advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, the CJI said: “Some discrepancy is due to how you speak in local dialect… such things happen pan India.”

Justice Bagchi elaborated, “Mr Dwivedi, in Bengal you will be called Mr Dibedi. Bengali language does not have a ‘va’.”

When the CJI remarked that his name would be pronounced correctly in Bengal, Banerjee interjected:
“No it will not, Sir.”

The Bench suggested that the West Bengal government could provide a team to assist the ECI in identifying errors arising from linguistic and dialectal variations. Banerjee welcomed the suggestion, saying, “I belong to that State. I am very grateful because of your kindness. When justice is crying behind the door… then we thought we are not getting justice anywhere. We wrote 6 letters to the Election Commission. I am a bonded labourer… I prefer that, I am not fighting for my party.”

The CJI responded by underscoring the objective of the SIR while cautioning against mechanical exclusions: “Every problem has a solution… one objective is to weed out the dead, then to weed out those who are disqualified… migrants—genuine persons—must remain on the rolls… but by virtue of this kind of mistake, such bonafide persons cannot be left out… the entire procedure has a timeline.”

Banerjee, however, alleged large-scale targeting of West Bengal, stating: “They only targeted West Bengal on the eve of the election… They wanted to do something in 2 months which takes 2 years… BLOs committed suicide and they blamed the election officials… West Bengal is targeted, why not Assam?”

She also criticised the deployment of micro-observers from BJP ruled states, alleging political bias. Dwivedi countered by stating that the ECI had repeatedly requested Class II officers from the State and had received inadequate cooperation.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union government, told the Court that there was an atmosphere of hostility towards ECI officials in the State.

The Court ultimately issued notice in Banerjee’s petition and related matters and listed them for further hearing on Monday, February 9.

As the hearing concluded, Banerjee urged the Court: “Please protect the people’s rights. We are grateful.”

The Court has already reserved judgment in earlier petitions challenging the SIR process nationwide, after the exercise—initially undertaken in Bihar—was extended to several States including West Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has made a significant jump in the latest ICC Men’s T20I batter rankings, climbing 32 places after an impressive comeback series against New Zealand.

The left-hander amassed 207 runs in three matches, highlighted by his maiden T20I century, to move up to 32nd position in the rankings released ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav also made progress in the updated list, moving up one spot to sixth, overtaking Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan. At the top of the rankings, opener Abhishek Sharma continued to hold on to the No. 1 position, maintaining his dominance in the shortest format.

In the all-rounders’ category, Pakistan opener Saim Ayub surged to the top spot following a standout performance in the recently concluded T20I series against Australia, which Pakistan won 3-0. The 23-year-old scored 119 runs and claimed three wickets during the series, allowing him to displace Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza from the No. 1 ranking.

Pakistan also enjoyed gains in the bowling rankings. Spinner Abrar Ahmed climbed to second place and now trails India’s Varun Chakravarthy, who remains at the top, by just 28 rating points. Another Pakistan all-rounder, Mohammad Nawaz, rose eight places to seventh after claiming a five-wicket haul in the series.

Elsewhere, England leg-spinner Adil Rashid moved up two spots to fourth, while New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner made an eight-place jump to reach joint 23rd position.

There were notable movements among batters as well. England’s former captain Jos Buttler climbed to third place, Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka rose to fifth, and New Zealand’s Tim Seifert advanced to ninth.

Further down the list, South Africa opener Ryan Rickelton surged 42 places to 40th, while Australian all-rounder Cameron Green climbed 16 spots to 14th. South African star Quinton de Kock also made a strong gain, moving up 15 places to 22nd after scoring a century.

NCP founder Sharad Pawar met Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar at her Sahyog Society residence in Baramati on Wednesday late evening, for the first time after she was sworn in, sources said.

Several other Pawar family members were also present at the venue. Sharad Pawar-led NCP MLA Rohit was the first to reach Sunetra Pawar’s Sahyog Society residence along with his parents. A large crowd of NCP workers had gathered at Sahyog Society to pay their condolences to the bereaved Pawar family.

Rohit and his parents have also reached their residence in Sahyog Society. Sharad Pawar’s wife Pratibha Pawar also accompanied the NCP founder to Sunetra Pawar’s residence in Sahayog Society, where a large photograph of the late Ajit Pawar was prominently displayed at the entrance of Sunetra Pawar’s residence.

After Sharad Pawar entered the Sahyog Society residence, he first paid homage to Ajit Pawar and then sat down with Sunetra Pawar and her son Jay Pawar.

Incidentally, Sharad Pawar’s meeting with Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar came after he had already had a long closed-door meeting with both her sons Parth Pawar and Jay Pawar earlier on Wednesday, sources said.

The meeting, which was held on the premises of Vidya Pratishthan, which is an educational institute in the Pawar family’s hometown of Baramati, lasted for more than three hours, sources said.

However, there was no immediate official statement about what was discussed at the closed door meeting, though it is being speculated that the discussion was probably about a possible merger of the two NCPs besides the forthcoming Zila Parishad elections, sources said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Sharad Pawar spoke to media persons in Baramati and snubbed claims by Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis that the late Ajit Pawar never told him anything about a merger of both NCPs.

“I do not understand, what right he (Fadnavis) has to mention my name? Since he was nowhere involved in the merger talks, he has no right to comment on it,” NCP founder Sharad Pawar said, even as he expressed happiness about Sunetra Pawar being sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

Sharad Pawar also said that Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi should have been allowed to quote from an unpublished memoir ‘Four Stars of Destiny’ written by former army chief General M M Naravane in the Lok Sabha, which revealed incidents about the events during the Sino-Indian stand-off in 2020.

“The former army chief has written something in the book which shows there was some concerning situation. If a discussion had been allowed to take place in Parliament about the issue, people could have got a clear picture,” Sharad Pawar said.

“Why was there opposition to Rahul Gandhi when the copy of the book written by General Naravane was authenticated?” Pawar asked.

Speaking to media persons on Wednesday, Sharad Pawar also cited political and economic concerns about the emerging India-US trade arrangement, warning that provisions allowing American agricultural products into India could hurt Indian farmers and expose India’s agriculture sector to unequal competition.

He said the details of the recent India–US tariff understanding are still unclear and required closer scrutiny. “A clear picture will emerge only in the next two days. Only after that can a final assessment be made,” Sharad Pawar said.

Sharad Pawar also cautioned that the apparent concessions to the United States could come at a cost. “A provision in the tariff deal announced by the United States allows agricultural exports to India. This is a matter of concern for Indian farmers and the domestic agriculture sector,” Sharad Pawar said.

Describing the United States as a “powerful economy”, Pawar warned that large-scale agricultural imports from such a country to India could adversely impact Indian producers. “I expect Indian agriculture to be adequately safeguarded and not exposed to unfair competition,” Sharad Pawar said.

Tata Power Renewable Energy (TPREL), a subsidiary of The Tata Power Company (Tata Power), officially announced here on Wednesday that it has successfully commissioned a 198 MW wind energy project for Tata Steel in Karur, Tamil Nadu.

According to an official statement, the wind energy project comprises 55 wind turbine generators of 3.6 MW each and is designed to generate 31 million units of clean electricity annually, further advancing Tata Steel’s decarbonization journey and strengthening TPREL’s contribution to India’s renewable energy capacity.

A key highlight of this project is the strategic unbundling of the scope into multiple packages, all of which were executed directly by TPREL. Rather than relying on OEMs for Balance of Plant (BOP), Civil BOP, Engineering & Construction, Transmission Lines, 33 kV systems, and SY, the project was delivered through a self-EPC model, underscoring TPRELs strong in-house capabilities, engineering excellence and its successful execution of a mega-scale wind project, according to the statement.

According to the statement, the partnership reinforces TPREL’s position as a leader in India’s renewable energy transition, playing a vital role in advancing the country’s target of reaching 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. It also reflects TPREL’s focus on scaling up wind-led clean energy projects that are reliable, dispatchable, and economically viable.

TPREL has a wind energy portfolio exceeding 3.7 GW, with over 1.2 GW operational and the remainder under various stages of development across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

After commissioning the Karur project, TPREL’s total renewable utility capacity has reached 11.6 GW. Currently, 6.2 GW of this capacity is operational, comprising 5 GW of solar and 1.2 GW of wind energy. Additionally, 5.8 GW is under various stages of implementation, evenly split between 3 GW of solar and 2.8 GW of wind projects. These ongoing projects are expected to be completed in phases over the next 6 to 24 months in a staggered manner, according to the statement.

In a major success for the security forces, three heavily armed Pakistani terrorists of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit were killed on Wednesday in two separate encounters in the Basantgarh area of Udhampur district and Kishtwar.

Two of these terrorists had been holed up in natural caves in the Basantgarh forests since Tuesday afternoon.

The joint operation ‘KIYA’ was being carried out by the Army, CRPF, and J&K Police.

The White Knight Corps of the Indian Army has confirmed the killing of three terrorists.

Confirming neutralisation of the two terrorists in Basantgarh, the White Knight Corps of the Indian Army said, “Based on specific intelligence input provided by J&K Police, troops of Counter Infiltration Force (CIF) Delta, White Knight Corps planned and executed a focused joint counter-terror operation in the general area of Jophar forest, Basantgarh (J&K) in coordination with JKP and CRPF, reinforcing the cordon, ensuring effective area domination to prevent escape of terrorists”.

“Contact with terrorists was established yesterday, and since then, terrorists were prevented from breaking contact. Following a calibrated and coordinated response, two terrorists have been successfully neutralised. The operation highlighted seamless inter-agency coordination, tactical precision and high standards of professionalism. Operation concluded successfully. Area remains under surveillance”.

After the overnight lull, a fresh exchange of fire and deafening explosions rocked the area around 7.30 pm when the holed-up terrorists attempted to flee under the cover of darkness.

Army reinforcements, including paratroopers and dog squads, were rushed in to further tighten the cordon.
Security forces had early this morning prepared for a final assault on the two JeM terrorists, with no exchange of fire reported during the night.

A cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the killed terrorists.
Giving details of the ‘Tarashi-1’ Operation in Kishtwar, the White Knight Corps said, “In the continuing search and elimination of terrorists in the Kishtwar region, where the hunt has already led to several contacts in the dense forests and challenging terrain, contact was re-established with the terrorists on the run in the ongoing joint Operation Trashi-I, by the troops of CIF Delta #WhiteKnightCorps, @JmuKmrPolice and #CRPF at around 5.45 pm today in the general area of Dichhar, Kishtwar”.

“One terrorist has been successfully neutralised. Operation is in progress”.

Lt General Pratik Sharma, Army Commander Northern Command, has complimented the White Knight Corps for their swift & precise action to neutralise the terrorists in the challenging terrain and weather conditions.

“Northern Command remains committed to ensuring a terror-free Jammu-Kashmir”, he added.
Meanwhile, security agencies have been put on high alert after another Pakistani balloon was recovered in the Nad area of Samba district, raising concerns amid a series of similar incidents reported over the past few days.

The Budget Session of the Uttar Pradesh assembly will have 10 sittings, and the Budget for the 2026-27 financial year will be tabled on February 11.

The session will commence on February 9 with Governor Anandiben Patel addressing the joint session of the legislature at 11 am.

The schedule was released by the assembly secretariat here on Wednesday.

Officials said that on February 10, the assembly 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.

Later, after the tabling of the budget, the House will commence debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address, which 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 the Saturday and Sunday holidays.

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

In a significant step towards sustainable urban sanitation, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Wednesday declared Kaka Nagar as its sixth Anupam Colony, making it Delhi’s first residential colony to adopt a mechanised and dust-free cleaning system.

The declaration was formally made by NDMC Chairman, Keshav Chandra, who described the initiative as a transformative leap in urban cleanliness and environmental stewardship, marking a decisive shift from traditional manual cleaning to modern mechanized sanitation practices.

Under this pioneering model, sweeping operations in Kaka Nagar are now carried out using five push-back mechanical sweepers and one gobbler machine, significantly reducing dust emissions and contributing to improved ambient air quality.

Addressing the gathering, Chandra stated that with this declaration, Kaka Nagar joins five other residential colonies previously designated as Anupam Colonies within the NDMC area. He emphasised the unique distinction of Kaka Nagar, where all cleaning activities are undertaken exclusively through mechanized means, establishing it as a model for environmental friendly cleaning by reducing air pollution.

“This initiative marks the beginning of a new era in colony-level sanitation across the NDMC area,” the Chairman said. He added that the project is currently being implemented as a pilot initiative, and based on its success, the mechanized cleaning model will be expanded to other colonies under NDMC jurisdiction. He further noted that NDMC is actively working towards reducing dependence on traditional broom-based sweeping, reaffirming its commitment to cleaner air and healthier living environments.

Chandra appreciated the proactive support of the Resident Welfare Association (RWA) and acknowledged the dedication and hard work of sanitation workers and field staff responsible for operating and maintaining the systems on the ground.

Providing technical insights, Advisor (SWM), NDMC, Rajiv Kumar Jain, informed that 12 wire-mesh composting rounders have been installed at various locations across the colony to process wet and horticultural waste generated within the premises. The organic compost produced will be utilised for maintaining colony parks and will also be distributed among residents. He further stated that under the initiative “Geela Kuda Lao – Khaad Le Jao”, compost has been distributed to residents over the past seven days, encouraging waste segregation and sustainable practices at the household level.

To further strengthen citizen engagement and participation, an RRR (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Centre and “Neki Ki Diwaar” have been set up in the colony, enabling residents to donate reusable items such as clothes, books, and household goods. This center was inaugurated by members of the RWA. Residents are also encouraged to place recyclable materials in designated bins to facilitate effective recycling.

Earlier, the NDMC had conferred the title of “Anupam Colony” on five residential colonies as D-1, D-2 and Satya Sadan Officers’ Flats, Bharti Nagar, Aradhana (Burmah Shell Cooperative Housing Society Ltd.), Bapu Dham and New Moti Bagh and all of which serve as exemplary benchmarks of environmentally responsible and sustainable urban living.

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday again witnessed fierce political confrontation amid accusations of double standards in parliamentary conduct by Opposition parties over Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi “not being allowed to speak”, and the suspension of eight MPs. Matters escalated after alleged derogatory remarks by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey against Congress prime ministers—late Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi—and senior leader Sonia Gandhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to respond to the ongoing motion of thanks to the President’s Address in the Lok Sabha around 5 PM. However, amid sustained and heated exchanges, the Lok Sabha was adjourned just minutes before his address.

The BJP alleged that opposition MPs were moving towards the PM’s chair in an “attacking” mode.

According to BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, several Opposition women MPs entered the well of the House and moved towards the chair used by the Prime Minister. “The opposition came with the intention to attack us at 5 PM sharp, (as the House assembled). They surrounded the Prime Minister’s chair,” he was quoted as saying.

Gandhi, however, said, “As I said, PM Modi will not come to Parliament because he is scared and doesn’t want to face the truth.”

Earlier, speaking to the media outside the House, he had said that he would personally present former Army chief General MM Naravane’s memoir to the Prime Minister when he speaks in the House. “I don’t think the PM will have the guts to come to the Lok Sabha today because if he comes, I am going to give him this book. If the PM comes, I will go physically and hand him this book so he can read it and the country can get to know the truth,” he had said.

A meeting of opposition parties has been called for tomorrow morning to discuss strategy.

The origins of the turmoil trace back to Monday, when Gandhi was barred from quoting an article referencing Naravane’s memoirs concerning the 2020 India-China conflict, followed by the suspension of eight MPs. Congress MPs also strongly protested controversial comments made by Dubey during the motion of thanks to the President’s Address, in which he made “objectionable references” to Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

Heated exchanges were also reported from Speaker Om Birla’s chamber, where MPs from both sides engaged in a prolonged argument, underlining the seriousness of the standoff and the deteriorating relations between the Treasury and Opposition Benches.

Dubey had brought six books into the House and quoted from them while making remarks about Nehru and Indira Gandhi. Despite attempts by the presiding officer to stop him, the BJP MP continued speaking, prompting loud protests from Opposition members and eventually leading to the adjournment of the House.

Opposition leaders accused the government of allowing ruling party members greater leeway while restricting their voices.

Congress MP from Wayanad Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the government of applying different rules to the Leader of the Opposition and BJP MPs. While Opposition leaders were frequently interrupted, restrained from speaking, or even suspended, BJP MPs were permitted to make provocative statements and quote freely from books without facing consequences, she said, calling it a reflection of a “systematic effort to suppress dissent in Parliament.”

Priyanka also questioned why the government objected when an Opposition member cited a published book, while a BJP MP was allowed to bring multiple books into the House and quote from them uninterrupted.

Rahul Gandhi, who for the past two days had been seeking to quote in the Lok Sabha from the “memoirs” of the former Army chief—which Birla and the Treasury Benches said was against House rules—referred to excerpts of the book outside Parliament to detail how General Naravane “felt isolated during the crisis after what the Prime Minister told him ”.

“The main line is what the PM said – ‘jo uchit samjho wo karo’. When the (former) Chief of Army Staff General Naravane called up Rajnath Singh ji and said that Chinese tanks have reached the Kailash Ridge, so what should we do? First, Rajnath Singh did not respond to him. He asked Jaishankar ji, NSA and Rajnath Singh but received no reply. He then called up Rajnath Singh once again. Rajnath Singh told him that he would ask the ‘top’. The standing order of the ‘top’ was that if Chinese forces come in, we should not fire on them without permission. Naravane ji and our Army wanted to fire on those tanks because they had entered our territory. Narendra Modi ji gave a message that ‘jo uchit samjho wo karo’. It means he told the Army chief to do whatever he wants as ‘mere bas ki nahi hai.’ Naravane ji writes, ‘I felt really alone, I was abandoned by the entire establishment.”

He also alleged that while the memoir had been published abroad, the government was preventing its publication in India.