Akhilesh Yadav

This special report examines the India Today-CVoter Mood of the Nation tracker findings. While the poll projects the NDA to secure 352 seats if elections were held today, driven by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's high leadership ratings and perceived political stability, analysts Yashwant Deshmukh, Raj Chengappa, and Tuhin Sinha discuss the state of the opposition, where Rahul Gandhi remains the primary challenger despite a significant rating gap.

This Special Report, led by Rajdeep Sardesai and Preeti Choudhry, analyzes the January 2026 'Mood of the Nation' poll featuring over 125,000 respondents. The survey projects a significant victory for the NDA with 352 seats, while the BJP alone is projected at 287 seats. Data indicates the NDA is returning with an increased vote share and seat share. The program evaluates Rahul Gandhi’s performance as Leader of the Opposition, noting a 44% positive rating despite a slight decline since August 2025. Panellists Yashwant Deshmukh and Raj Chengappa discuss election freebies, noting 50% of the public opposes doles while 44% believe the Election Commission should intervene. Analysis shows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity remains stable despite concerns regarding unemployment and price rises. Political stability is now cited as the government's primary success over the Ram Temple or Article 370. While a majority believe Congress should lead the opposition, 62% of respondents identify the party as the weakest link within the India bloc.

This segment of the India Today-CVoter Mood of the Nation survey analyses the 'Mood of the Nation' January 2026 in the poll-bound states if Lok Sabha elections are held today.

On this Special Report, Yashwant Deshmukh, Founder-Director of C Voter, joins Rajdeep Sardesai and Kirti Bhadana to discuss the latest 'Mood of the Nation' poll findings. Deshmukh reveals that if elections were held today, the NDA is projected to secure 352 seats, noting that 'the biggest changes are being witnessed in the states where BJP had faced the setback, unexpected setback, including Maharashtra, UP, Rajasthan.' The data shows a decline in opposition momentum since August 2025, with the Congress party's performance rating dropping by 6% in January 2026. The discussion highlights a significant advantage for the BJP in Telangana and a consolidating bipolar contest in West Bengal. Deshmukh clarifies that the survey, involving over 125,000 respondents, specifically reflects Lok Sabha trends where the 'Modi dividend' is most prominent, cautioning against direct extrapolation to upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections.

On this Special Report, consulting editor Rajdeep Sardesai analyzes the 'Mood of the Nation' January 2026 projections for upcoming assembly polls. The data suggests a significant lead for the India bloc and regional parties in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, while the NDA maintains a comfortable lead in Assam. Sardesai observes, 'The big message is that the regional forces are holding their ground, which makes it very difficult for the BJP to penetrate these states.' The discussion highlights the divergence between national narratives and state-level factors, noting that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ratings remain high, voters distinguish between central and regional leadership. The panel, including Maria Shakeel and Sanju Verma, debates the BJP's 'course correction' in Uttar Pradesh following the 2024 Lok Sabha results and the opposition's ability to capitalize on regional strengths. The programme explores whether the India alliance can maintain its momentum as a diverse democratic force against the BJP's electoral machinery.

On this news bulletin, host Gaurav Sawant leads a heated debate regarding the administrative restrictions placed on Swami Avimukteshwaranand at the Magh Mela in Prayagraj. The discussion centers on the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to deny the seer specific protocols, with Shantanu Gupta noting, 'Because your title of Shankaracharya is debated, so we can't give you, offer the protocol.' Gupta argues that the title for Jyotirmath remains legally contested, while Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ghanshyam Tiwari accuses Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of arrogance and 'heritage destruction' in Kashi. Tiwari further criticizes the government's treatment of religious heads, citing alleged assaults on the seer's disciples. The panel examines whether administrative safety for devotees should take precedence over the traditional rights of religious figures during high-crowd events like Mouni Amavasya. The programme explores the intersection of spirituality, legal disputes over religious titles, and political posturing in Uttar Pradesh.

This news bulletin examines the escalating controversy at Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi, one of Hinduism's most revered cremation grounds. The dispute intensified after the removal of a raised platform during the Manikarnika Teerth Corridor project, prompting viral images and accusations that temples and sacred idols were being demolished. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath personally inspected the site, rejected all claims as false, and alleged that viral visuals were misleading or AI-generated. Opposition leaders Akhilesh Yadav and Congress countered by criticising the government's approach, alleging harm to heritage and Sanatan traditions. Protests and police detentions further highlighted the charged political atmosphere.

This news bulletin reports on highly controversial and regressive statements regarding rape made by political leaders in India. Former Samajwadi Party MP S.T. Hassan attributed the rise in sexual assaults to internet vulgarity and alcohol consumption, stating, 'The vulgarity that is spread on the internet, when young boys see it, their hormone testosterone increases so much that they can't stop themselves from having sex.' Hassan further claimed that inebriated men fail to distinguish between family members and suggested that rapists should be shot in public. Additionally, the report highlights derogatory comments by Congress MLA Phool Singh Baraiya, who allegedly claimed that 'pretty women' distract men and made offensive remarks regarding women from Adivasi, SC, and OBC communities. Baraiya reportedly suggested that scriptures justify certain acts against backward communities, sparking a massive political storm. The programme examines the backlash against these 'disgusting' statements that have created ripples across the nation and stoked intense political debate over the mindset of these elected representatives.

The release of the draft voter list in Uttar Pradesh has sparked a major political row after the Election Commission of India (ECI) deleted approximately 2.89 crore names. Out of nearly 16 crore voters in the state, 12.55 crore submitted enumeration forms under the Self-Identification Registry (SIR) process. Opposition parties, including the Congress and Samajwadi Party, have termed the exercise a 'big conspiracy' and accused the ECI of mass removals without adding new voters. A speaker noted, 'The purpose of the SIR was never to enlist genuine voters,' alleging that the system was intentionally complicated to exclude eligible citizens. The Samajwadi Party further claimed that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) faced undue pressure during the survey, leading to health crises and fatalities. However, the ECI maintained that the list is merely a draft and citizens can verify deletion reasons on the official website, dismissing the allegations as baseless and asserting that mass removals are not being conducted.

In this special report, India Today Senior Correspondent Piyush Mishra investigates the deadly water contamination crisis in Indore's Bhagirathpura, where the death toll has risen to 14. The broadcast highlights the 'failure of system' as residents are forced to consume sewage-laced water or buy expensive bottled supplies. The tragedy has sparked a political firestorm, with AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi and SP's Akhilesh Yadav questioning the BJP's governance in India's cleanest city. While MP Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya assures a fix within two days, Piyush Mishra's ground report reveals long-standing negligence and the grim reality of insects in drinking water.

In a shocking development from India's 'cleanest city', a water contamination tragedy in Indore has claimed at least eight lives and left many ill. The India Today report reveals that sewage leakage into drinking water pipelines caused the disaster, prompting a fierce political backlash. While Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya has assured a fix within two days, opposition leaders including Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav and AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi have launched scathing attacks, questioning the reality of the BJP's 'Smart City' claims. Residents, forced to buy packaged water, expressed outrage, with one stating, 'Compensation by money will not get back the lives.' The National Human Rights Commission has issued notices, and the High Court has sought a status report.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the tragic deaths caused by contaminated water in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The rights body has issued a notice to the State Chief Secretary, demanding a detailed report within two weeks. According to the transcript, the death toll has risen to nine, with over 200 people hospitalized. Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya admitted that preliminary checks suggest sewage mixed with drinking water and assured that the issue would be resolved. However, the incident has sparked a political storm, with AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav attacking the BJP government for administrative negligence in what is touted as India's 'cleanest city'.

In a tragic development from Madhya Pradesh, the death toll in the Indore water contamination crisis has risen to nine. Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya confirmed that around 1,400 people have fallen ill, with 200 admitted to hospitals. The government has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh for the victims' kin and promised to reimburse hospital bills. While the Minister assured that the source of contamination is being fixed, the incident has sparked political outrage. Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav targeted the BJP, stating, 'These are the same people who said that they will clean Mother Ganga. Today, if you drink the water of Mother Ganga, you will get sick yourself.' Congress workers also staged protests against Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.

In a heated political exchange over the codeine cough syrup row in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath targeted the opposition, calling Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi 'two specimens' sitting in Lucknow and Delhi. The Chief Minister clarified that 'no deaths have occurred in the state due to codeine cough syrup' and alleged that the racket's biggest wholesaler was issued a license by the Samajwadi Party government in 2016. In response, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav claimed the controversy exposed an alleged rift between the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister, stating that the racket originated from PM Modi's Varanasi constituency. The report highlights the escalating war of words as Akhilesh Yadav suggests the feud reveals internal discord within the BJP leadership.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan introduced the 'Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin)' or VB-G RAM G Bill in the Lok Sabha, seeking to replace MGNREGA. The new legislation promises 125 days of guaranteed wage employment but alters the funding ratio to 60:40 between the Centre and states. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav attacked the government, stating, 'The time when these people become weak is when they become religious and communal.' The Opposition staged a walkout, alleging the removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name is an insult to his legacy.

The Centre is set to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the new 'Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin' (VB-G RAM G) bill. The proposed scheme promises 125 days of wage employment with a 60:40 Centre-State funding split. The move has triggered a political storm, with the Opposition accusing the government of erasing Mahatma Gandhi's legacy. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor termed the decision "unfortunate," stating, 'Mahatma Gandhi had a very, very clear vision of both the rural poor whom he cared for.' Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav also criticized the rebranding.

The big focus of this episode of India First is the war of words between the BJP and DMK over the lighting of lamp at Deepathoon. 

A significant political and judicial conflict is escalating in Tamil Nadu over the Karthigai Deepam festival. This report details the impeachment motion moved by the DMK-led INDIA bloc against Madras High Court Judge, Justice G.R. Swaminathan. The motion, signed by 120 MPs, was initiated after the judge's order to light the ceremonial Deepam at the ‘Deepathoon’ on Thiruparankundram hill, a directive the state government opposed, citing law and order concerns. The DMK defends the impeachment, with spokesperson A. Saravanan claiming the order contradicts a prior division bench judgment. In contrast, the BJP accuses the DMK of an "anti-Sanatan mindset" and "appeasement politics." The legal community has responded, with 56 former judges, including Justice S.N. Dhingra, signing a letter supporting Justice Swaminathan and condemning the impeachment as an unprecedented move against a judge for an unfavorable judgment.

In a major escalation of the Madurai Deepam controversy, the ruling DMK and the India bloc have moved an impeachment motion against Madras High Court Justice G.R. Swaminathan. The motion, backed by 120 MPs including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Akhilesh Yadav, was submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The programme highlights the 'rare showdown' between the executive and the judiciary, triggered by a dispute over lighting a lamp at the Thiruparankundram hill. While the BJP has termed the move 'anti-Hindu' and 'anti-Constitution', Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has accused rivals of weaponizing faith for 'cheap politics'. The report notes that while the DMK lacks the numbers to remove the judge, the move aims to send a 'loud signal' ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections.

In a heated debate on India Today, Swaraj Abhiyan founder Yogendra Yadav argues that India is witnessing 'electoral deform' rather than reform. He cites 'abusive constitutionalism' and alleged voter list manipulation in Mau and Kundarki as evidence of an uneven playing field created by the ruling dispensation. Yadav claims that 20,000 names were removed in Mau prior to the Special Summary Revision (SIR). Countering these allegations, political analyst Rajat Sethi dismisses the Opposition's grievances as a 'loser's lament' and a 'boring, predictable rant'. Sethi asserts that the Opposition has 'zero connect' with the public and is failing to address genuine issues in Parliament. The discussion, moderated by an anchor addressed as 'Kirti ji', explores the credibility of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the Election Commission of India, and the proposed 'One Nation, One Election' system.