In Lucknow, candidates protesting over the 69,000 teacher recruitment issue clashed with police on Monday. The situation escalated into heated arguments and scuffles, after which police detained the protesters and took them to Eco Garden.

Around 50 candidates gathered outside the Samajwadi Party office at approximately 11:00 am, planning to march towards the Deputy Chief Minister’s residence. The protesters wore banners with slogans such as “I am an unfortunate, backward, and Dalit” and “The Supreme Court is casteist.”

As the protesters attempted to move ahead from the party office, police stopped them. The candidates alleged that police personnel tore their banners, leading to verbal arguments that soon turned into pushing and shoving. The commotion lasted for nearly 20 minutes.

The protesters said they would continue their agitation daily. They claimed they have been struggling for the past two years without getting justice. They accused Union minister Anupriya Patel and Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya of betraying backward classes, alleging that both leaders are only focused on protecting their political positions.

Candidates from reserved categories alleged that in the recruitment process, OBC candidates received only 3.86% reservation instead of 27%, and SC candidates received 16.2% instead of the mandated 21%. Due to the dispute, the Allahabad High Court had earlier cancelled the selection list of 6,800 posts and ordered a revised merit list as per rules.

The matter is currently under hearing in the Supreme Court. The protesting candidates continue to demand re-evaluation and the release of a new merit list.

Mukesh Singh, chairman of the UP Coordination Committee of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC), has said the Union Budget 2026–27 clearly underscores the Central government’s intent to project Uttar Pradesh as a key driver of India’s economic growth.

One of the standout highlights of the Budget is the focus on Kashi (Varanasi).

In his statement on Monday, Singh said, “The Finance Minister has announced plans to build a ship repair ecosystem in Varanasi as part of the inland waterways initiative. Designed to boost cargo transportation along the Ganga River, the project is viewed as an important move toward transforming Varanasi into a major logistics and transportation hub. It is also expected to open up new job opportunities for the local population.”

He further said, “Connectivity infrastructure in the state is also set for a major upgrade. The Budget proposes two high-speed rail corridors covering nearly 1,500 kilometres. One corridor will link Delhi with Varanasi, while the other will connect Varanasi to Siliguri.”

He said these projects are likely to stimulate trade, industry, and overall economic activity in eastern Uttar Pradesh and beyond by ensuring quicker movement of passengers and goods. The financial plan further includes significant steps to improve the state’s healthcare and social infrastructure.

Singh said district hospitals are proposed to see a capacity enhancement of up to 50 per cent, along with the rollout of emergency and trauma care centres across all districts. Additionally, the Centre intends to establish a girls’ hostel in each of the state’s 75 districts, aimed at making education more accessible for female students.

He said urban infrastructure development has also been prioritised. The Centre plans to upgrade facilities in cities with populations above five lakh through a public capital expenditure programme worth Rs 12.2 lakh crore. Nearly 25 cities in Uttar Pradesh, including Lucknow, Ayodhya, and Gorakhpur, are expected to benefit.

“The Budget also refers to the development of smaller pilgrimage destinations, which could further boost religious tourism in the state. On the industrial front, the announcement of Semiconductor Mission 2.0 is seen as a major step. A semiconductor park coming up in Noida is projected to generate large-scale employment,” he added.

According to the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, this initiative can help Uttar Pradesh secure a prominent place in India’s high-technology manufacturing landscape. Taken together, the Budget outlines a broad-based development push for Uttar Pradesh, combining infrastructure growth, industrial expansion, social sector strengthening, and job creation, reinforcing the state’s rising importance in the national economic framework.

Samajwadi Party (SP) National President Akhilesh Yadav has levelled serious allegations against the BJP regarding the alleged misuse of Form-7, used in removing names from the voter list, in Uttar Pradesh during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

He said that alleged BJP fraudsters are themselves printing Form-7 and forging signatures to try to get the votes of PDA community voters, especially those from the minority community, removed from the voters’ list.

Posting on his social media account on Monday, Akhilesh Yadav called it a direct attack on democracy and said that this is almost common knowledge, but the Election Commission of India has not yet taken any concrete action. He alleged that despite repeated appeals, the alleged irregularities related to Form-7 in the SIR process are not stopping.

He said that the illegal use of Form-7 is a major crime, and the Election Commission should issue public advertisements informing about the penalties for its misuse so that the culprits and their accomplices receive a clear warning. The SP chief also said that the party’s PDA watchdogs and aware voters are exposing this alleged fraud at their own level, but the Commission should also come forward to maintain its credibility.

Akhilesh Yadav appealed to the media, saying that whether it is a local platform in a village or neighbourhood, or the media at the district, divisional, or state level, the Samajwadi Party stands with anyone who is raising this issue and playing the role of the “fourth pillar” of democracy. He urged them to expose this “mega-scam” and bring the facts to light

Australia’s two-time World Cup–winning captain Ricky Ponting believes defending champions India will start as clear favourites for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, citing their home conditions, depth of talent and overall squad composition.

Ponting, who led Australia to World Cup titles in 2003 and 2007, also backed his former side to make a deep run in the tournament beginning February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. Australia will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing outing in the previous edition in the USA and West Indies, where they exited at the Super Eights stage following a shock defeat to Afghanistan and a 24-run loss to India.

“If you look at the squad, I think they have as good a chance as anybody,” Ponting told The ICC Review.

“India probably start the clear favourites I think in this event due to conditions, the talent and the group of players that they have put together. They’ll be hard to beat but I really do think we will see Australia there come semi-final time.”

Ponting’s assessment highlights the challenge facing visiting teams in Indian conditions, where familiarity with pitches, climate and crowds gives the hosts a significant edge. India’s strength at home has been reinforced by the consistency of their senior players and the growing depth across departments, making them the benchmark side heading into the tournament.

Ponting, however, had a word of caution for Suryakumar Yadav & Co as they approach their title defence as favourites, stating that ICC tournaments leave little room for error.

“But the thing I know about these ICC events is, one, they’re hard to win, because all the best teams in the world are playing in them and if you want to win it, you have to have all your good players playing well at the right time. That’s what Australia probably didn’t have last time around. They just didn’t have their big guns firing at the right time to win an event,” he said.

Ponting also analysed the contrast between India’s settled combination and Australia’s ongoing transition. While Australia have retained much of the core from the 2024 T20 World Cup, Ponting acknowledged that the side is still dealing with fitness concerns and change.

“There has been a slight transition around the Australian team. It’s not a dramatic one. If you look at the squad that they’ve named, there’s a lot of experience in that squad still. A few guys are injured at the moment or coming back from injury. That’s probably the biggest concern that they’ve got right now.”

One of the biggest talking points ahead of the tournament has been the absence of Australia’s Test and ODI skipper Pat Cummins, who has not fully recovered from a lingering back injury. Cummins was left out of the final 15-player squad and replaced by left-arm seamer Ben Dwarshuis.

Despite Cummins’ absence, Ponting pointed out that Australia’s balance, especially their all-round options, remains a key strength, something India will be wary of as the tournament progresses.

“The one thing they have got in that squad is really good flexibility with so many all-rounders,” he said.

“You look at (Marcus) Stoinis, (Glenn) Maxwell, Cameron Green, there’s so many. Cooper Connolly. Young guy that’s just won the MVP again in the BBL (Big Bash League) for the second year in row. If it looks like it will turn, I think Australia will go with Connolly to back up Maxwell and (Adam) Zampa. So, they’ve got three spin bowling options there.”

Australia’s preparations for subcontinental conditions was marred by a whitewash in the three-match T20I series in Pakistan. Cameron Green has been tried at No.3 in the opening games, a move Ponting believes could continue at the World Cup, especially with Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh forming a settled opening partnership.

“(Josh) Inglis is someone that they could bat at No.3 if they wanted to as well,” Ponting said.
“And then they’ve got that experience in the middle with Maxwell and Stoinis and Co. It’s a very good squad.”

Placed in Group A, alongside Pakistan, USA, Namibia and the Netherlands, the Men-in-Blue will open their campaign against the USA in Mumbai on February 7, while Australia, drawn in Group B alongside Ireland, Oman, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, will play their first match on February 11 against Ireland.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has hailed Union Budget 2026-27 as a strong declaration of building a new and self-reliant India that appropriately takes care of each and every citizen.

He said the budget will strengthen India’s status in the world and place Rajasthan in the mainstream of national development.

Addressing a media conference here Monday afternoon, Sharma stated that the budget that is specifically dedicated to women, youths, kisans, and the poor clearly reflected the resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for self-reliant economy and the Viksit Bharat 2047.

This sacred document also established the “Sabka Saath – Sabka Vikas” plank as the “principal policy of this government,” he said adding, “This budget would give a big boost to employment generation, facilitate skill development and setting up Start-ups for the youths.

One of the laudable announcements for youth is the making 1 lakh professionals in Radiology and Optometry and 1.5 lakh caregivers, he pointed out.

Besides, youths opting for careers in the tourism sector would be facilitated training in the top institutions and establishments, and Lakhpati Didi Scheme has also been facilitating empowerment of women in their respective trades, Sharma noted.

Girls hostels would be opened in all 41 districts of Rajasthan, hospitals – health centre infrastructure and facilities would be upgraded, 5 regional health hubs would be developed in the state, the Chief Minister added.

The budget also provides a big impetus to the manufacturing sector and livelihood avenues for workers in Bio-Pharma, Chemical, Textiles, Handloom and Handicrafts.

Allocation of Rs 40,000 crore India Semi Conductor Mission 2.0, National Quantum Mission and Research and Development Funds are also laudable in the budget, Sharma said.

The Chief Minister also welcomed a huge allocation of Rs 12.2 lakh crore for the infrastructure development sector and hike of 30 percent in allocation in the renewable energy generation sector.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath instructed district magistrates, revenue officials and the police administration to take all the encroachment matters seriously, listen to people’s problems, and, after due inquiry, take strict action against the guilty.

The CM held a Janta Darshan on Monday morning. He met each petitioner one by one, accepted their applications and issued directions for proper redressal of their grievances.

Several cases related to illegal encroachment were also presented before Chief Minister Adityanath during the Janta Darshan. After patiently hearing everyone, the CM accepted their applications and ordered appropriate action. He also directed officials posted in districts to similarly listen to grievances locally, ensure justice for petitioners and take strict action against offenders.

At the Janta Darshan, a woman arrived with her child, who is undergoing treatment at KGMU. She requested financial assistance for the treatment. The Chief Minister ordered that financial help be provided.

He said, “The 25 crore residents of the state are my family. The government stands with everyone in happiness and sorrow. From day one, financial assistance for treatment has been provided, and this will continue. No one’s treatment will stop due to lack of money.”

A very heartfelt incident took place at Janta Darshan, when a young girl who came with her mother recited a poem for Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Impressed, the CM praised her and asked whether she would go to school and study hard. On her affirmative reply, he ordered that her admission be arranged.

The Lok Sabha proceedings during the Budget Session of Parliament descended into chaos on Monday as soon as Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi began to speak on the motion of thanks on the President’s Address. Rahul claimed that Chinese tanks entered Indian territory in Ladakh during the 2020 conflict, quoting an article on former Army Chief General M M Naravane’s unpublished memoir.

As Rahul tried to cite excerpts from former Army Chief General Naravane’s unpublished memoir – Four Stars of Destiny – BJP leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, started objecting, questioning the authenticity of the book.

Referring to an allegation made by BJP MP Tejasvi Surya against the Congress, apparently questioning the patriotism and national culture of the party, Rahul said, “A young colleague over there made an allegation against the Congress Party. I was not going to raise this issue, but because he has raised the issue about our patriotism, our understanding of Indian culture, I’d like to start by reading something. And this is from the memoir of Army Chief Naravane. And I’d like you to listen carefully. You will understand exactly who is patriotic, who is not.”

The Leader of the Opposition in the House said that “four Chinese tanks were entering Indian territory” and attempting to take control of a ridge. “The Army Chief writes, and I quote from an article that is quoting his book,” he added.

“This is from the memoir of Army Chief Naravane. And I’d like you to listen carefully. You will understand exactly who is patriotic and who is not. It will take a little while, so this is about when four Chinese tanks were entering Indian territory. They were taking a ridge in Doklam. And the Army Chief writes, and I quote from an article that is quoting his book,” Gandhi continued.

However, Rajnath Singh objected to this and told the Speaker that the unpublished book cannot be quoted in the House. “Speak about these things only if they are published. Otherwise, leave it,” Rajnath Singh said.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla then asked Rahul Gandhi to table the book in the House, saying that unpublished material could not be read out in the House and denied permission to proceed with the reading.

Rahul responded, saying, “This is 100 per cent authentic.” Rajnath Singh asked him to tell the House whether the memoir has been published or not. Om Birla said Rajnath Singh is correct and that Rahul should tell the House if the book he is trying to cite is published or not.

“Narvane ki book me Raksha Mantri aur Pradhan Mantri ka zikr hai. Main wahi bata raha hoon. (Narvane’s book mentions both the Defence Minister and Prime Minister. I am telling only that),” Rahul replied.

Rajnath Singh said that the book Rahul Gandhi is mentioning has not been published. Amit Shah also joined Rajnath Singh and said that it is a magazine report and a magazine can write anything. Om Birla said that even a newspaper cutting can be put before the House.

Amit Shah then said that Rahul has himself clarified that the book has not yet been published and this ends the discussion. Something that is not published can’t be quoted in the House.

Akhilesh Yadav joined Rahul Gandhi and said that the LoP must be allowed to speak as the matter is related to national security. Kiren Rijiju intervened and said that they are sitting in the House to listen, but the Speaker has given his ruling and he (Rahul) is still reading.

Om Birla again reminded Rahul Gandhi of the rules of the House. Rahul then referred to Tejashwi Surya’s remarks. He said that he was an MP and he spoke on our character and not on politics.

Amit Shah defended Surya and said that he never questioned the patriotism of the Opposition. Shah added that he was speaking about the intentions of the governments. “Who told Rahul Gandhi that Chinese tanks entered Indian territory?” Shah asked.

Rahul Gandhi then said that the government is scared. “What does it contain which is scaring them so much? If they are not scared, I should be allowed to read on.”

Watch the entire standoff below

LIVE: Motion of Thanks | 18th Lok Sabha https://t.co/shbuLNv76o

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 2, 2026

Rijiju demands Rahul Gandhi’s apology

After the ruckus in the House, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused Rahul Gandhi of flouting the rules and demanded his apology.

“Our party initiated the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address. All of us were seated to hear the speech of LoP Rahul Gandhi. But right from the beginning, Rahul Gandhi flouted rules and started quoting from a book whose publication and authenticity are not clearly mentioned. Defence Minister and all of us said that the House will function as per rules and one should speak as per rules… One cannot challenge the Chair. Even after the ruling of the Lok Sabha Speaker, Rahul Gandhi kept repeating the same mistake… He wasted half an hour, violated rules and kept saying the same thing. He started speaking on the China border… Can the Congress party bring back the landmass that was captured by China in 1959 and 1962? Rahul Gandhi should apologise to the nation,” Rijiju said.

Rijiju alleged that Rahul Gandhi doesn’t follow rules and considers himself above Parliament and reiterated that the Congress leader should apologise for the “sin of the Congress” with respect to the China border.

“If someone is born in a known family, are they above Parliament? Are they above the rules? India is a democratic nation and functions as per rules… Rahul Gandhi doesn’t follow any rules. He considers himself above Parliament. Senior Congress leaders got up and started clapping… Rahul Gandhi should use his brain and make his MPs understand to follow the rules. That is my request to him. He should apologise for the sin of Congress with respect to the China border…,” he added.

Govt scared of one line, will speak that line in the House: Rahul Gandhi

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Rahul Gandhi said that the government is scared of “a line” and he will speak that line in Parliament.

“They are scared of a line. There is one line in it that PM Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are scared of. I will say that line inside Parliament, and no one will stop me…,” Rahul said.

His sister and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that the excerpt from the book Rahul tried to cite was not an unauthenticated source, as it has been published.

“It should be from a published source, either from a book or a magazine. This is an excerpt from the book, and it has been published. There is no unauthenticated source in this…What is the problem then? Why are they scared?” Priyanka said.

Congress leader Udit Raj on Monday stated that the Union Budget 2026 has made a “massive cut” in schemes for the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).

“A massive cut has been made in the budget for SC, ST, and OBC schemes. 1. Rs 890 crore cut in PM Scheduled Caste Abhyuday Yojana. Under this scheme, a subsidy of up to Rs 10,000 or 50% of the loan is provided for income generation. 2. Rs 690 crore cut in OBC/EBC/DNT Scholarship. 3. Rs 360 crore cut in SC Post-Matric Scholarship. 4. Rs 1,559 crore cut in ST Development Programme,” he said on social media platform X.

On Sunday, the day the Union Budget 2026 was presented, the Congress leader criticised the Modi government’s VB-G RAM G scheme.

“A major deception has been perpetrated against rural unemployed people. Instead of MGNREGA, a promise has been made under the VB-G Ram Ji Scheme for 125 days of work in a year. In the 2026 budget, the central government has allocated Rs 95,692.31 crore for this scheme. Under MGNREGA, an average of 50 days of employment was provided, whereas 100 days should have been ensured in a year. If the government truly intended to provide 125 days of employment, an allocation of around two lakh crore would have been necessary,” Raj said.

On Sunday, Finance Minister of India Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026-27, marking her ninth consecutive budget.

Shockingly, Sensex closed 1,546.84 points down; Nifty 495.2 points after Sitharaman announced the Budget 2026.

The Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today announced that the country’s first bullet train will run through the state of Bihar, connecting Varanasi to Siliguri via Patna in Bihar.

Ashwini Vaishnaw called it a game-changer for Bihar and highlighted its potential to strengthen connectivity, growth, and regional development.

#WATCH | Delhi: Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vishnaw says, “The first bullet train is going to run in Bihar. The train will run from Varanasi to Siliguri via Patna. This will be a game-changer for Bihar…” pic.twitter.com/DI5aHmNWdl

— ANI (@ANI) February 2, 2026

In the briefing today, the Union Railways Minister also highlighted that two new bullet train corridors will be started in Tamil Nadu as well. He mentioned that Tamil Nadu has received a record railway budget of Rs 7,611 crore. This is nine times higher than the allocation given during the Congress and UPA governments.

Railway Budget 2026-27

In the Union Budget 2026-27, a record capital expenditure of ₹2,93,030 crore has been planned for Indian Railways. This is the highest-ever capex as well as allocation for Indian Railways.

As part of its long-term vision, the Government has announced the development of seven high-speed rail corridors between cities as ‘growth connectors’ to promote environmentally sustainable passenger transport systems. These corridors include Mumbai–Pune, Pune–Hyderabad, Hyderabad–Bengaluru, Hyderabad–Chennai, Chennai–Bengaluru, Delhi–Varanasi and Varanasi–Siliguri. The proposed corridors are expected to significantly reduce inter-city travel time and facilitate seamless, multimodal movement of passengers.

#ViksitBharatBudget:
7 High-Speed Rail Corridors as growth connectors between cities ⬇️

Mumbai to Pune
Pune to Hyderabad
Hyderabad to Bengaluru
Hyderabad to Chennai
Chennai to Bengaluru
Delhi to Varanasi
Varanasi to Siliguri pic.twitter.com/XY5PEVge1y

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) February 1, 2026

Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), a Maharatna CPSE has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) , a Navratna CPSE to strengthen logistics and operational efficiency at plants and mines of SAIL.

SAIL runs a dedicated mini rail network within its plants and mines premises to ensure seamless transportation of inbound raw materials, in-process transfers and outbound finished products. The effective maintenance of its diesel locomotive fleet, supplemented by wet leased locos, is critical for sustaining operations and driving the envisaged expansion of capacity and future growth.

As Indian Railways accelerates its transition to electric locomotives, RITES continues to provide valuable expertise in diesel locomotive operations and maintenance, an area essential for sustaining SAIL’s diesel fleet. With access to Indian Railways’ facilities, spares and a pool of skilled manpower, RITES is well positioned to support SAIL’s operational requirements and ensure reliability across its network.

The collaboration will enable both organizations to focus on their core competencies, optimize costs, enhance operational efficiencies and contribute to reducing carbon footprint. The MoU was signed by Shri P.K. Baisakhiya, Executive Director (Operations), SAIL and Shri Sandeep Jain, Executive Director (Technical Services), RITES, in the presence of senior officials from SAIL and RITES.

The Union Budget 2026–27 has signalled a decisive policy shift by placing biopharmaceuticals at the core of India’s healthcare and manufacturing strategy.

With the announcement of the Biopharma SHAKTI initiative, backed by an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore over five years, the government aims to transform India into a leading global hub for biologics and biosimilars and secure 5 per cent of the global biopharmaceutical market.

The Budget acknowledges the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes and autoimmune disorders, alongside the increasing global reliance on biologic medicines.

By prioritising biopharma, the government is seeking to move India up the pharmaceutical value chain from being primarily a cost-efficient producer of generic drugs to a centre for innovation-driven, high-value therapies.

Under the Biopharma SHAKTI initiative, the government plans to strengthen the entire ecosystem for biologics and biosimilars. This includes support for domestic research, development and manufacturing of complex products such as vaccines, therapeutic proteins, gene therapies and biosimilars, while reducing dependence on imports and enhancing India’s competitiveness in global supply chains.

A key focus area is human resource development. The Budget proposes the establishment of three new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs) and the upgradation of seven existing NIPERs to address the rising demand for highly specialised skills in biopharma research, manufacturing, regulation and quality control.

To accelerate innovation and clinical validation, the government has also proposed creating a large-scale clinical research ecosystem, including the development of over 1,000 accredited clinical trial sites across the country.

This move is expected to significantly enhance India’s capacity to conduct advanced clinical trials for biologics and biosimilars and position the country as a preferred global destination for ethical, high-quality and cost-effective clinical research.

Regulatory reforms form another pillar of the Budget’s biopharma strategy. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) will be strengthened through the induction of specialised scientific and technical personnel, with the aim of improving regulatory efficiency, aligning approval timelines with global standards and enabling faster evaluation of complex biopharmaceutical products.

The latest measures build on existing government initiatives such as the National Biopharma Mission (Innovate in India – i3), launched in 2017, which has supported over 100 projects involving more than 150 organisations and multiple MSMEs.

The mission has played a catalytic role in nurturing biotech startups, supporting indigenous development of vaccines, biosimilars, diagnostics and medical devices, and creating jobs and clinical research infrastructure across the country.

The convergence of investments in manufacturing, skilled manpower, clinical research capacity and regulatory credibility reflects a coordinated long-term vision.

As global demand for biologics continues to rise, the Biopharma SHAKTI initiative is expected to improve domestic access to advanced and affordable therapies while reinforcing India’s ambition to emerge as a globally competitive biopharma manufacturing and innovation hub.

Continuing his tirade against the ruling DMK, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president and film star Vijay on Monday reiterated the claim of the TVK being a force of purity enjoying mass support and asserted that only it could defeat the ‘evil force DMK’ in the coming assembly election.

“Only a force of purity can defeat an evil force. Whatever might come in our way, whether it is a ‘dabba engine’ or a ‘worn-out engine’, we remain the top engine. It is being said that there is a three-cornered or four-cornered contest in this election. For me, we are the one with people’s support. The others are the DMK front and the one headed by the BJP and others. Whoever comes, only the TVK, which has massive support of the masses, can defeat the DMK,” the actor-turned politician said, addressing party functionaries on the occasion of the TVK’s 3rd foundation day at suburban Panaiyur.

“It is habitual for the DMK to run down anyone who stands up to them in politics and ridicule whether they have experience. They questioned MGR (AIADMK founder and legendary film star) whether he knew the alphabet of politics. They asked whether Kamaraj (Congress veteran and former Chief Minister) knew literature. Now, they are targeting us,” he said, adding, “It is despite these that we have grown up as a major political force.”

He asked the DMK to change its technique of criticism at a time when technology has grown leaps and bounds. “They continue to play with a 50-year-old ‘dabba’. What else does the platinum jubilee baby perform other than this? But, for this, we can’t be charitable towards them. As the sole representative of the people, we will carry on the task of exposing their omissions and commissions,” Vijay said.

“People are in tears that these people are in the place once graced by Kamaraj, Anna (DMK founder and former CM) and MGR. Had sage poet Thiruvalluvar been now, he would have written his first couplet about this evil force thus: ‘Injustice, atrocity, cheating, and so on have sprouted in the world only since the DMK’s advent’,” he claimed.

Responding to criticism that he is yet to come out of his cocoon and comfort of the home, he said, “You are continuously ranting ‘Hey Vijay come out of your house?’ Listen, patently boss. On the date of polling, every Vijay from each house in Tamil Nadu, with the voter ID in hand, will queue up before each booth. Then you will realise why we have asked him so.” On the charge that whatever he speaks has the shade of cinema, he quipped “I have given up films, but it seems they haven’t!”

Dismissing certain pre-poll surveys that discredit the TVK, Vijay said “TVK is there in each house. Even the Chief Minister, who bemoaned that because of certain DMK functionaries, he has lost sleep, would say that he had voted for ‘whistle’ (TVK’s symbol), if woken up when asleep!” Earlier in the day, in a post on ‘X’, he said, “The 2026 election dynamics have changed and acquired a new environment only because of the entry of the TVK, which is the war cry for ensuring political power to the common man.”

Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav has questioned the Central government’s foreign policy after reports emerged that Pakistan is considering boycotting its match against India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Speaking to the media outside Parliament on Monday, Akhilesh Yadav said, “The Indian government needs to reconsider its foreign policy and the direction in which it is headed.”

He added that such developments on international platforms affect the country’s global image and diplomatic influence.

It is noteworthy that the Pakistani government has reportedly decided to boycott its match against India in the T20 World Cup 2026. This means that currently, Pakistan’s stance is that they will not play the match against India scheduled for February 15. It is being said that if Pakistan maintains this stance and refuses to play against India, the ICC could take strong action against them.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday termed the naming of Punjab’s Adampur Airport after Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Ji as a historic and visionary decision by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, saying the move reflects deep respect for India’s great saints and social reformers.

Speaking to the media at Haryana Bhawan in New Delhi, the Chief Minister said it was a moment of immense pride that on the sacred occasion of Sant Guru Ravidas Ji’s birth anniversary, the Prime Minister announced the renaming of Adampur Airport as Sri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji Airport. He described the decision as a true tribute to the timeless ideals of Sant Guru Ravidas Ji.

CM Saini said that the teachings of Sant Guru Ravidas Ji, rooted in equality, compassion and selfless service, continue to inspire society even today. “His message guides us towards building a harmonious, just and humane society. This initiative will not only honour his great thoughts but will also inspire future generations to follow the path shown by him,” he added.

The Chief Minister further said that the decision reflects the government’s commitment to remembering and honouring those great personalities who gave direction to society and worked tirelessly for social harmony and upliftment of the weaker sections.

Highlighting similar initiatives, CM Saini said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently named major national institutions after saints and great personalities as a mark of respect. He cited the recent renaming of Ayodhya Airport after Maharishi Valmiki and the naming of Hisar Airport after Maharaja Agrasen as examples of this inclusive and respectful approach.

Referring to the Union Budget, Saini said it has been presented keeping every section of society in mind, with Haryana receiving special attention. He said key issues such as waterlogged and salinity-affected land have been addressed, while special emphasis has been laid on MSMEs, industry and artificial intelligence, which will directly benefit the state.

Taking a dig at the Congress, the Chief Minister said that despite being in power for 55 years, it failed to present such a comprehensive and people-centric budget. “This budget empowers women, provides employment to youth, strengthens farmers, and fulfils the aspirations of 140 crore Indians, including the poor,” he said.

Responding to a question on Punjab politics, Saini expressed confidence that a Bharatiya Janata Party government will be formed in the state under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said the people of Punjab have realised that real development is possible only under the BJP rule.

He accused the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party governments of misleading the people with false promises. Referring to recent floods in Punjab, he said farmers suffered heavy losses while the state government engaged only in politics over compensation figures.

CM Saini said Prime Minister Narendra Modi understood the problems of Punjab’s farmers and provided Rs 16,000 crore in assistance, demonstrating the Centre’s commitment to farmers’ welfare.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the most effective way to give a new leap to the agricultural sector of Uttar Pradesh is to implement ‘oilseed and pulse-based intercropping with sugarcane’ on a large scale.

He said, “This model has the capacity not just to double but to ‘multiply manifold’ the income of sugarcane farmers.”

The Chief Minister was chairing a high-level meeting on this subject on Monday. He said that intercropping high-value crops like mustard, lentil, urad, and moong along with sugarcane provides farmers with additional production, lower costs, and stable income throughout the year, thereby strengthening their economic condition.

The Chief Minister added, “Horizontal expansion of cultivable land in the state is no longer possible; to achieve the target of a trillion-dollar economy, the only way to increase production is to enhance crop output per unit area.”

He said, “Sugarcane-based intercropping is the new model for the agricultural future of Uttar Pradesh. This model provides farmers with higher production, higher income and protection from risk, all at the same time.”

The Chief Minister directed that this plan be implemented in mission mode from 2026-27 to 2030-31. At present, sugarcane is cultivated over 29.50 lakh hectares in the state, which includes 14.64 lakh hectares of newly sown area and 14.86 lakh hectares under ratoon crop.

He said, “Adding oilseed and pulse intercropping in such a large area will lead to a significant increase in production and will also provide new strength to self-reliance in oilseeds and pulses at the state and national level.”

The Chief Minister instructed that the selection of intercrops should be done on scientific and practical grounds through Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Krishi Vishvavidyalaya.

As per the recommendations of IISER, he suggested giving priority to mustard and lentil in the Rabi season and urad and moong in the Kharif season.

The Chief Minister instructed, “Additional crops, additional profit and additional security without affecting sugarcane yield are the greatest strengths of this model. He asked for a year-wise roadmap to be prepared for this plan. ”

The Chief Minister said this additional production will directly increase farmers’ income and make a major contribution to the state’s GVA.

He also added, “The framework for assistance and subsidy should be clearly defined for the successful implementation of the scheme.”

The Chief Minister further added, “Large-scale adoption of intercrops will provide farmers with faster cash flow and reduce the risk of single-crop dependency, making agriculture more stable and sustainable.”

He said that this plan should not be limited to the benefits of farmers associated only with the sugarcane sector but should be implemented as a transformation of the broader agricultural landscape of the state.

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said over the past five years, the agriculture and allied sectors have recorded an average annual growth rate of 4.4 per cent at constant prices, which is higher than the global average.

“During the decade from financial year 2016 to 2025, the agricultural sector posted a decadal growth rate of 4.45 per cent, the highest compared to previous decades,” Chouhan said while reacting to the Economic Survey.

Even in the second quarter of financial year 2025–26, the agriculture sector registered a growth rate of 3.5 per cent, reflecting its strength and resilience, he said.

Chouhan said the survey’s data clearly demonstrates that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has made unprecedented progress on both the agriculture and rural development fronts.

The Union Minister said in the financial year 2024–25, the country’s foodgrain production reached a record level of 357.73 million tonnes.

“This increase was primarily driven by improved output of rice, wheat, maize and coarse cereals, including ‘Shree Anna’ (millets). Today, India is not only self-reliant in foodgrain production but is also playing a leading role globally in several crops,” he said.

Chouhan said with nearly a 33 per cent share in agricultural gross value added (GVA), the horticulture sector has emerged as the brightest spot in Indian agriculture.

Horticulture production increased from 280.70 million tonnes in the financial year 2013–14 to 367.72 million tonnes in 2024–25.

During this period, fruit production stood at 114.51 million tonnes, vegetable production at 219.67 million tonnes, and other horticultural crops at 33.54 million tonnes.

The Union Agriculture Minister said India has now become the world’s largest producer of onions, contributing nearly 25 per cent to global onion production. At the same time, India is the world’s second-largest producer of vegetables, fruits and potatoes, with a global share of around 12–13 per cent in each of these categories.