The BJP on Sunday launched a scathing on strongly condemned the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government over the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy that claimed the life of over 53 people. Speaking to the media, party MP Sambit Patra said, "Today we are here to discuss news from Tamil Nadu, it is about a hooch tragedy, illicit liquor from Kallakurchi, a district of Tamil Nadu...When I came to hold this press conference and was checking the figures, the number of dead was 56. More than 56 people have died and many of them are critical, still about 200 people are admitted to the hospital. This is such an important issue and I am surprised that Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, DMK and all the people of the INDIA alliance are silent on this issue. If more than 32 Dalits are killed in this country, I would call it a murder, this is not death."
After leading a conversation on India's growth story at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, India Today Group Vice-Chairperson and Executive Editor-in-Chief Kalli Purie joined an elite panel of global journalists to discuss the challenges facing journalism, from government interference to trust and the impact of artificial intelligence.
On this Special Report, Maria Shakeel examines the deepening internal friction within the Congress party in Kerala ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. The focus is on Thiruvananthapuram MP Dr. Shashi Tharoor, who reportedly skipped a crucial strategy meeting attended by Rahul Gandhi. Maria Shakeel notes, 'Tharoor skipped the Congress High Command's Kerala strategy meet altogether, reportedly upset with both the party leadership over what is seen as lack of due respect by Rahul Gandhi.' The programme features veteran Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, who downplays the rift, claiming Tharoor had prior commitments at a literary forum. However, the report highlights past instances where Tharoor’s praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and LK Advani caused friction with the party brass. The discussion, featuring Shehzad Poonawalla and Sanjay Jha, explores whether the Congress can afford to alienate a prominent face like Tharoor as the BJP gains ground in urban Kerala, particularly following their performance in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation elections.
In this intense debate, BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla and Political Analyst Sanjay Jha discuss the reported rift between Shashi Tharoor and the Congress leadership. Poonawalla claims, 'Congress, and particularly Rahul Gandhi, can't stand anybody who puts nation first,' citing Tharoor's praise for LK Advani and India's foreign policy as reasons for his alleged sidelining. He further suggests a 'board of peace' be formed to manage internal Congress factions. Sanjay Jha defends Tharoor as an 'intellectual heavyweight' and 'outstanding speaker,' though he admits Tharoor is a 'distinctive outlier' who might be a misfit in any political party. The discussion also touches upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi's gesture of welcoming Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, which Poonawalla frames as a tradition of cooperative federalism. Jha acknowledges the Congress faces challenges and must avoid complacency in Kerala despite Tharoor's electoral strength.
This episode of Newstrack focusses on the deepening internal friction within the Congress party in Kerala ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
