Are bullet trains capable of transforming the economy or merely a Tughlaq-like dream?

In this exclusive interaction, former Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed levels serious allegations against the party leadership, claiming his life is under threat following his recent remarks. Ahmed asserts, 'Mr. Rahul Gandhi is the Chief Minister today in Congress,' implying that Rahul Gandhi, not Mallikarjun Kharge, wields absolute control over the party. He details his long history of travelling and working closely with Gandhi but alleges a shift in the leader's strategy to sideline senior veterans in favour of a younger cadre that offers unquestioning loyalty. Ahmed claims that instructions were sent from Delhi to attack his residences in Madhubani and Patna. Having resigned from the party's primary membership two months ago, Ahmed maintains he offered critiques as a well-wisher to address the party's weaknesses. He further alleges that the Congress leadership is insecure about senior leaders with grassroots support and prefers those who only chant 'Rahul, Rahul.' The administration has been alerted regarding the alleged threats to his safety.

On this Special Report, India Today's Aman Bhardwaj provides details on the arrest of gangster Goldy Brar's parents, Shamsher Singh and Preetpal Kaur. The couple was apprehended by Punjab Police from a hotel near the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Monday. The arrest is linked to a December 2024 FIR registered at Sadar Police Station in Sri Muktsar Sahib involving a ransom demand of ₹50 lakh and death threats issued to a local resident, Satnam Singh. Aman Bhardwaj notes that 'on the ransom money only, the survival of this gangster and their families are being seen.' The investigation revealed the involvement of Goldy Brar in the extortion case, which was initially attributed to the Bambiha gang. The parents, residents of Adarsh Nagar in Muktsar Sahib, are scheduled to be produced before a local court today. The report highlights the ongoing crackdown on the financial networks supporting high-profile gangsters operating from abroad.

On this Special Report, the focus is on the escalating political row between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) following the Republic Day celebrations. The BJP has accused Rahul Gandhi of 'disrespecting the culture and people of the North-East' by allegedly refusing to wear a traditional 'patka' or scarf during the 'At Home' reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The party further claimed that the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha declined to wear the headgear despite requests from President Droupadi Murmu. In response, the Congress party has rejected these allegations, pointing out that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also did not wear the traditional scarf. The Congress further alleged that the BJP is 'staging a drama to divert attention from real issues' and urged the party to stop involving the President in political disputes. The programme examines the friction over protocol and cultural symbolism between the two major political parties.

On this Special Report, the focus is on the escalating political tension in Tamil Nadu as the DMK-Congress alliance faces internal friction ahead of the upcoming elections. The rift surfaced following demands for power-sharing by Congress leaders, which prompted a sharp retort from a DMK MLA. The MLA asserted that there is 'no India alliance without the DMK' and suggested that seats should not be allocated to Congress leaders Jothimani and Manickam Tagore in the future. The reporter highlights that while the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee leadership maintains that alliance decisions will be finalized by the high command in Delhi, the public fallout reflects deep-seated disagreements over the coalition's structure. The programme explores how these internal disputes over seat-sharing and administrative roles might impact the poll prospects of the 'Indy Alliance' in the state, especially as local DMK cadres express resentment over the Congress's demands.