Nikhil Naaz Hosts ICC T20 World Cup Trophy At India Today MediaPlex Ahead Of 2026 Tournament

On this Special Report, India Today's Sahil Joshi discusses the political landscape in Maharashtra following the demise of Ajit Pawar. Sahil Joshi notes, 'The proposal which they are trying to put forward to the BJP, the Chief Minister, is basically that Sunetra Pawar should be contesting the Baramati Assembly by-poll'. The transcript details a high-level meeting involving NCP leaders Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal, and Sunil Tatkare with Sunetra Pawar to discuss the future of the party and the vacant Baramati seat. Beyond the assembly seat, there is a proposal to induct Sunetra Pawar as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, a role previously held by her late husband. Sahil Joshi also highlights that Praful Patel, as the working president, currently stands as the senior-most leader to navigate merger talks with the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) faction. The final decision remains subject to consultations with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

On this Special Report, India Today reporter Anagha Keshav provides exclusive details on the high-level talks between the DMK and the Congress party ahead of the elections in Tamil Nadu. According to the scoop, the DMK has firmly rejected the Congress party's demand for power sharing and cabinet berths, with Anagha Keshav noting that 'Kanimozhi has made it very, very clear that the DMK is not going to be sharing power with them.' The report highlights that despite this refusal, Rahul Gandhi has indicated that the alliance will continue. The DMK's stance is rooted in its philosophy of maintaining a single-party rule at the state level. While the cordial discussions between Rahul Gandhi and Kanimozhi clarified the DMK's position, the final decision on the exact number of seats for the alliance will be concluded through direct communication between Chief Minister MK Stalin and Rahul Gandhi.

This special report covers the final procession and state honours accorded to the late Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra in Baramati. The political fraternity, family members, and a sea of supporters gathered to pay their respects as the leader's mortal remains, adorned with flowers, were escorted to the Vidya Pratishthan ground. During the solemn ceremony, a family member 'appealed to people to rise above politics and not politicize the tragedy' as the nation bid an emotional farewell. Prominent figures including Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule, and Rohit Pawar were present, visibly emotional during the final rites. The atmosphere remained somber as supporters chanted 'Ajit Dada Amar Rahe' along the route, reflecting the deep impact of his public service. The programme highlights the dignity and respect shown during the final journey of the towering leader, marking a poignant end to his legacy in Maharashtra's public life.

In this news bulletin, the focus is on the clarification issued by the Assam Chief Minister regarding his controversial 'Mia Muslim' remarks. The speaker notes that the Chief Minister stated, 'I myself have told BJP workers to file as many objections against Mia Muslims' during the special intensive review of the voter list. The Chief Minister has now clarified that this terminology specifically refers to illegal Bangladeshi Muslims and not those belonging to Assam. The report highlights concerns over the altering demography in lower Assam, which is described as a strategic threat to India's internal security. The Congress Party has accused the Chief Minister of spreading communal hatred and targeting the community unconstitutionally. As the state enters poll season, the political atmosphere remains highly polarized over these remarks and the ongoing voter list verification process.