Now, TMC leader Diptangshu Chowdhury resigns as chairman of South Bengal State Transport Corporation

She didn’t message her grandmother often. But on the morning of January 28, she did. 

On this Special Report, Group Editorial Director Raj Chengappa analyses the latest 'Mood of the Nation' poll findings, suggesting a significant political turnaround for the ruling dispensation. Chengappa notes, 'I think Prime Minister Modi has regained his mojo if you would like to call that,' highlighting the Prime Minister's perceived resilience despite international challenges such as global tariffs and regional instability. The discussion contrasts the BJP's recovery from its 2024 setback with the India alliance's struggle to maintain momentum. The transcript details projections showing the NDA potentially reaching 352 seats, driven by a 'trust factor' and a 'Goldilocks period' in the economy characterized by high growth and low inflation. Panellists including Sanju Verma and Rajat Sethi debate whether these numbers reflect a consolidation of leadership or a lack of a cohesive opposition strategy, while Congress representative Rajesh Kalappa raises questions regarding national security and the accuracy of such polling narratives.

On this special edition of Five Live, Sonal and Gaurav Sawant provide live commentary on the Beating Retreat ceremony 2026 at Vijay Chowk, marking the culmination of India's 77th Republic Day celebrations. Gaurav Sawant highlights the 'major change' in the musical repertoire, noting, 'There’s a lot of decolonization as the government puts it. More Hindi music, instrumental music, Saare Jahan Se Achha of course remains.' The programme captures the arrival of President Draupadi Murmu, escorted by the elite President's Bodyguard, alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan. The report details the shift from British-era hymns to Indian instruments like the Mridangam and Tabla, and the historic renaming of Darbar Hall to Ganatantra Mandap. The ceremony concluded with a spectacular lighting display of the North Block, South Block, and Rashtrapati Bhavan, symbolising a modern, self-reliant India proud of its indigenous cultural heritage and military discipline.

On this Special Report, Rajdeep Sardesai presents the latest 'Mood of the Nation' poll conducted by C-Voter for India Today. The tracker, which assesses public sentiment every six months, suggests a significant shift in the political landscape if Lok Sabha elections were held today. Rajdeep Sardesai noted, 'NDA will be at 352', marking a projected gain of approximately 28 seats compared to their current strength. The data indicates the NDA holding steady at 47% vote share, while the India block faces a decline, projected at 182 seats. The programme features insights from Maria Shakil and a panel of experts including Rajat Sethi and Sanju Verma. The discussion highlights that while the next general election is not until 2029, current assembly trends and this tracker provide a crucial sense of the national mood, showing the NDA gaining momentum over the last five months since the August 2025 survey.