Arvind Kejriwal

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.

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.

In this episode of Newstrack, the focus is on the escalating friction between state Governors and governments in opposition-ruled states.

India Today Legal Editor Nalini Sharma reports on a significant legal setback for former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and AAP leader Sanjay Singh. The Gujarat High Court has dismissed their plea seeking separate trials in a criminal defamation case filed by Gujarat University. The case pertains to remarks made by the leaders regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's degree. Nalini Sharma notes that the court ruled 'they both will have to face the trial together' in the ongoing proceedings. This follows previous unsuccessful attempts by the leaders to stall or stay the trial. While the detailed order is awaited to understand the court's specific reasoning, the dismissal marks another hurdle for the duo. The report highlights that it remains to be seen if the leaders will approach the Supreme Court to challenge this latest order from the Gujarat High Court.

In an exclusive interview with India Today, former attorney general and senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi said the Supreme Court's judgment on Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam's bail plea in the 2020 Delhi riots case was not the final verdict.

High drama marked the first day of the Delhi Assembly Winter Session as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs stormed the house wearing gas masks to protest hazardous air quality. Assembly Speaker Vijendra Gupta ordered the marshalling out of the legislators for violating decorum. Responding to the protest, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa dismissed the outcry, terming the pollution a '40-year-old problem' and a legacy of the previous administration. The Lieutenant Governor also criticized former CM Arvind Kejriwal for 'criminal inaction' during his tenure.

On this news bulletin, the focus is on the escalating political face-off in the national capital over a Santa Claus skit. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi State President Saurabh Bhardwaj has filed a counter-complaint with the police, alleging that women were stopped from celebrating Christmas in the Amar Colony area. This move comes a day after an FIR was registered against Bhardwaj and other AAP leaders for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through a skit depicting Santa Claus fainting due to pollution. Speaking to the media, Bhardwaj stated, 'In this area, people were stopped from celebrating Christmas... there was hooliganism, push-pushing, abuse.' The programme tracks the details of the counter-complaint and the ongoing blame game between the AAP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In a fresh political face-off, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has launched a 'Ghajini' poster campaign targeting the Delhi Lieutenant Governor over the city's pollution crisis. The AI-generated poster claims the LG has 'lost his memory' due to pollution. Responding to the attack, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva dismissed the move as theatrics, stating, 'If someone has forgotten Delhi after continuously losing, then he is Arvind Kejriwal.' Sachdeva defended the current administration, asserting that the 'government of Rekha Gupta' is visible on the ground with road repairs and cleaning initiatives. He contrasted the current 10-month administration with the previous 12-year rule of Kejriwal, urging patience for results by March-April. The programme explores the intensifying poster war and the blame game over civic amenities and pollution control in the national capital.

On this broadcast, India Today's Senior Anchor Anjali Istwal and Special Correspondent Amit Bhardwaj discuss the removal of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Goa President Amit Palekar. The decision by the party's Political Affairs Committee (PAC) comes after a 'flop show' in the recent Zilla Panchayat elections, where AAP won only one out of 40 seats despite aggressive campaigning by top leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi. Bhardwaj reports that Palekar, a prominent face who led the party ideologically, has been made the 'fall guy' for the debacle. The programme notes that State Organization Secretary Shrikrishna Parab will take temporary charge as the party looks to rebuild ahead of the next Assembly elections.

In this Special Report, India Today’s Maria Shakil discusses the severe air pollution crisis in Delhi NCR and the blatant violation of GRAP-4 norms. Environmentalist Vimlendu Jha criticizes the government’s inaction, stating that 'PUC certificates are being sold like a candy' and that the administration is in denial about the 40 per cent contribution of vehicular pollution. Bharti Chaturvedi of the Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group highlights the lack of public transport, calling it a 'hypocrisy' that forces citizens to rely on private vehicles. The show also features a sting operation by reporter Nitin Jain, exposing how private diesel buses openly flout bans and bribe officials to operate. The panel questions the effectiveness of the current enforcement regime.

In this Special Report, India Today's Senior Anchor Anjali Istwal and Special Correspondent Amit Bhardwaj discuss the escalating war of words between Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over the pollution crisis. The LG has accused former CM Arvind Kejriwal of ignoring pollution for 11 years and treating it as a 'fleeting issue' discussed for only '10-15 days'. In a sharp retort, AAP has told the LG to 'quit his post' if he wishes to indulge in politics. Bhardwaj reports on the political fallout as the BJP government in Delhi enforces strict anti-pollution measures.

An internal survey by actor Vijay's Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) predicted a significant 30% vote share for the party in the 2026 state elections, positioning it near the DMK (32.9%) and ahead of the AIADMK (27.3%).

BJP leader Anil Gupta defended the current Delhi administration's efforts to combat severe air pollution.

In this Special Report, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa addresses the severe pollution crisis gripping the national capital. Facing questions on whether the government's measures were 'too little, too late', Sirsa apologises to Delhiites but asserts that fixing the air quality is a long-term process. He states, 'We do not want such inconvenience for the people of Delhi... But we can take long-term measures.' The Minister blames the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration for leaving behind a 'disease of pollution' and highlights corrective steps, including reclaiming 45 acres of landfill sites and enforcing strict bans on non-PUC vehicles. Sirsa also defends the decision on green crackers and discusses the political blame game, asserting that the BJP government is working tirelessly to correct years of neglect.

Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor anchors this special report on Delhi's severe air pollution crisis as the Air Quality Index (AQI) remains in the 'very poor' category. The coverage details the implementation of strict new measures, including the 'No PUC, No Fuel' policy, which denies fuel to any vehicle lacking a valid Pollution Under Control certificate, a rule enforced with cameras at petrol pumps. The report captures the last-day rush at PUC centers through ground reports from Shivani Sharma and Anmol Bali. It also delves into the political debate, with BJP, AAP, and Congress spokespersons presenting their views on the government's strategy and the lack of a national action plan. This follows an incident where Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was met with 'AQI' chants. CEEW's Mohammad Rafiuddin provides expert analysis on the efficacy of these curbs alongside GRAP-4 measures. The bulletin also covers the arrest of the Luthra brothers in connection with the Goa nightclub fire and the shortlisting of the film 'Homebound' for the Oscars.

The top focus of this episode of 5 Live is Delhi's severe air pollution crisis as the Air Quality Index (AQI) remains in the 'very poor' category.

A new study from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) indicates a national air quality crisis in India, with 60% of districts now breathing toxic air.

A panel of senior journalists discusses the results of the Bihar assembly elections, where the NDA alliance of the BJP and JD(U) is heading for a significant victory. The discussion covers the setback for Tejashwi Yadav's RJD, the limited impact of Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj party, the role of AIMIM in the Seemanchal region, and the political strategies of national figures like Arvind Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi. One panelist offered a view on the Chief Minister's future, stating, 'Nitish Kumar will give up chief ministership at some stage in the next couple of years'. The debate also touches upon whether personal attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the opposition benefit the BJP electorally and the challenges for new political entrants in the Indian landscape.

A panel of senior journalists discusses the results of the Bihar assembly elections, where the NDA alliance of the BJP and JD(U) is heading for a significant victory. The discussion covers the setback for Tejashwi Yadav's RJD, the limited impact of Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj party, the role of AIMIM in the Seemanchal region, and the political strategies of national figures like Arvind Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi. One panelist offered a view on the Chief Minister's future, stating, 'Nitish Kumar will give up chief ministership at some stage in the next couple of years'. The debate also touches upon whether personal attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the opposition benefit the BJP electorally and the challenges for new political entrants in the Indian landscape.