Kochi

On this Special Report, the focus is on the internal dynamics of the Congress party as Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor addresses reports of a rift with the party high command. Amidst speculation regarding his absence from key party events, including a Mahapanchayat attended by Rahul Gandhi and a national capital meeting, Tharoor has clarified his stance. He stated, 'Whatever issues there are would have to be discussed between the party leadership and myself and I look forward to an opportunity to do that.' Tharoor emphasised that he will not discuss internal party matters in the public domain, reiterating his commitment to the party line. The report also examines the Kerala state leadership's response, noting their confidence in electoral preparations despite the perceived friction. While Tharoor has previously expressed independent opinions, he maintains his identity as a dedicated Congress member, seeking to resolve any grievances through direct dialogue with the top leadership rather than through public discourse.

On this special report, the focus is on Congress leader Shashi Tharoor's decision to skip a crucial party meeting in Delhi ahead of the Kerala elections. Tharoor, who instead attended the Kerala Literature Festival in Kozhikode, remained defiant regarding his absence, stating, 'We'll tell the leadership what I have to say.' The veteran leader noted that it is not right to publicly discuss certain internal matters but confirmed he would raise his concerns directly with the party high command. The transcript highlights a potential rift within the Congress party, especially following reports of Tharoor feeling insulted at a recent Mahapanchayat event in Kochi. While the party leadership attempted to frame his absence as a result of prior commitments, Tharoor's refusal to explicitly deny reports of discontent suggests underlying friction. The programme examines how this internal discord might impact the Congress party's prospects in the upcoming assembly polls in Kerala, where the BJP is also attempting to make significant inroads.

On this Special Report, the focus is on the intensifying friction between veteran Congress leader Shashi Tharoor and the party leadership ahead of the elections. Speaking at the Kerala Literature Festival in Kozhikode, Tharoor struck a defiant note regarding his past disagreement with the party's stance on 'Operation Sindoor' following the Pahalgam incident. He stated, 'I will not apologize on operations in those stand,' emphasizing that when India's security is at stake, national interest must come first. The programme explores Tharoor's history of defying party lines, including his occasional praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's industrial initiatives. Despite skipping a crucial strategy meeting in Delhi due to perceived slights at a recent Kochi event, Tharoor maintains he remains a committed Congressman who simply refuses to be a 'regular politician' who criticizes for the sake of opposition.

This report examines the escalating friction between four-time MP Shashi Tharoor and the Congress party leadership as Kerala prepares for the 2026 elections. The rift reportedly intensified following the Kochi Mahapanchayat, where sources claim 'protocol was breached, sitting was altered, speaker order changed at the last minute, and Rahul Gandhi did not publicly acknowledge Tharoor.' The tension is not isolated, following previous instances where Tharoor's comments on the Emergency and his praise for LK Advani forced the party to distance itself. As the Bharatiya Janata Party gains ground in urban Kerala, the Congress faces a dilemma over whether it can afford to sideline a prominent leader known as a 'global citizen.' The bulletin highlights that this internal conflict is no longer just about personal egos but has become a matter of electoral survival for the grand old party in a state where margins are critical.

On this India Today special report, anchor Swetha details the Congress party's strategic shift ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections. Following a high-level meeting, Swetha notes that 'Rahul Gandhi, sources said, made it clear that the chief ministerial base will be decided only after elections.' The leadership, including Mallikarjun Kharge, has reportedly warned state leaders that infighting will not be tolerated, emphasizing a united front under collective leadership. The bulletin highlights the absence of Shashi Tharoor from the strategy meet, which the party attributed to prior commitments in his constituency despite speculations of a rift. Swetha discusses how ground reports suggest the United Democratic Front (UDF) currently holds an edge over the LDF. The report also addresses the growing presence of the BJP in urban Kerala, posing a challenge to the traditional power dynamics. The Congress leadership remains confident, aiming to cross the 100-seat mark by maintaining unity and avoiding public controversies among veteran leaders.

This episode of Newstrack focusses on the deepening internal friction within the Congress party in Kerala ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. 

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.

This edition of India First, anchored by Gaurav Sawant, examines Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s blistering attack on the Congress party in Kerala as he sounded the BJP's poll bugle for the upcoming assembly election.

This report examines the escalating internal friction within the Congress party in Kerala ahead of the 2026 elections. The rift centers on Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, who reportedly skipped a high-level meeting on Kerala election strategy. Sources suggest Tharoor is miffed with both the state leadership and the central High Command, particularly following a protocol breach at the Kochi Mahapanchayat where his seniority was allegedly ignored. The transcript notes that 'Shashi Tharoor will skip the high command's meeting on Kerala election strategy' as he reportedly gave precedence to a visit by the Prime Minister. This friction follows previous instances where Tharoor’s public stances, including praising LK Advani and calling the Emergency a 'dark chapter', diverged from the party line. As the BJP rises in urban Kerala, the Congress faces a dilemma over whether it can afford to sideline a leader popularly known as 'Vishwapuran' in a do-or-die electoral battle.

This news report examines the growing friction within the Congress party as Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor skipped a high-level Kerala election strategy meeting in Delhi. While sources indicate Tharoor 'obtained permission from the party high command to be absent' to attend a government program with the Prime Minister in his constituency, the move has fueled speculation of a 'mega split' in the Kerala unit. The bulletin highlights that this is not an isolated incident, noting previous instances where Tharoor's positions on the Emergency and legislative bills diverged from the official party line. Tensions reportedly escalated following a protocol breach at the Kochi Mahapanchayat, where Tharoor was allegedly ignored by the top brass. Despite these internal fault lines, the Congress leadership, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, continues to focus on the upcoming assembly elections, urging state leaders to maintain discipline and avoid public displays of infighting that could damage the United Democratic Front's (UDF) electoral prospects.

This Special Report, anchored by Nagarjun Dwarkanath, examines critical political developments across South India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kerala and Tamil Nadu to launch the NDA election campaign, criticizing the LDF, UDF, and Congress alliances. In Tamil Nadu, the Prime Minister addressed a rally in Madurantakam, while Chief Minister M.K. Stalin introduced an assembly resolution opposing the G. Ramji Bill to protect the original MNREGA framework. The bulletin features an exclusive interview from the World Economic Forum in Davos with Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who addressed leadership change speculation and a potential power-sharing formula with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Legal updates include the Karnataka High Court lifting the ban on bike taxis for aggregators like Ola and Uber. Regional reports cover internal rifts within the AMMK and Congress, the long-pending Rasimanal Dam project in Dharmapuri, and the legal pursuit of justice for Vachathi assault victims. This edition provides factual analysis of shifting alliances and legislative shifts defining the southern electoral landscape.

This report examines the widening rift within the Kerala unit of the Congress party as Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor decided to skip a crucial high command meeting. Tharoor reportedly felt 'insulted' during a recent Mahapanchayat event in Kochi, where he was allegedly ignored by Rahul Gandhi and faced protocol issues regarding seating and speaking orders. Despite previously stating, 'I am always a Congress party worker, and I will continue to work with the party for the Assembly elections,' Tharoor’s decision to attend the Kerala Literature Festival instead of the strategy session signals renewed friction. The transcript highlights that while the party recently sought unity during a camp in Wayanad, tensions between Tharoor and the state leadership have resurfaced. This development comes at a critical time as the party prepares for upcoming Assembly elections, following successes in local body polls. The report suggests that Tharoor's history of praising the LDF government's 'ease of doing business' continues to be a point of contention with the state leadership.

On this special report, the focus is on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Kochi, Kerala, where he addressed party workers following the local body elections. During the 'Mahapanchayat' event, Rahul Gandhi congratulated the United Democratic Front (UDF) and Congress members for their 'superb performance' across Block Panchayats, District Panchayats, Municipalities, and Corporations. He used the platform to launch a sharp political attack on the BJP and RSS, stating, 'The BJP actually stands for centralization of power while we stand for decentralization of power.' Gandhi emphasized that the third tier of government is the foundation of the Indian democratic system and accused the BJP of refusing to listen to the voices of the people. The event served as a significant rallying cry for the party cadre as they prepare for upcoming political challenges in the state, marking a major victory in a domain where the Left traditionally holds an edge.

In poll-bound Kerala, a fierce political battle has erupted between Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Congress over the definition of secularism. The conflict intensified after Chief Minister Vijayan, speaking at a Jamaat meeting, claimed that 'left equals secularism'. This assertion was sharply contested by Kerala's Leader of the Opposition, V.D. Satheesan, who accused the Left of 'hobnobbing with saffron forces'. The flashpoint of the dispute involves Satheesan's allegations regarding the 'saffron links' of influential community outfits, including the Nair Service Society (NSS) and the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam. Both the NSS and SNDP have strongly rejected these claims, slamming the Congress for its allegations. The transcript highlights a bitter face-off as both the CPI(M) and the Congress vie to project themselves as the true representatives of secular values in the state, with the Congress accusing the Left of quietly flirting with Hindutva forces while the Left maintains its uncompromising stance on secularism.

On this Special Report, reporter Shibimol provides details on Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's visit to Kochi, Kerala. The visit centers on the 'Maha Panchayat' program at Marine Drive, organized to felicitate over 7,800 Congress representatives who emerged victorious in the recent local body elections. Shibimol notes that the event serves as the launch of the Congress party's campaign for the upcoming assembly elections, following the United Democratic Front's (UDF) dominant performance across corporations and panchayats. Highlighting the morale of the workers, the reporter quotes a sentiment regarding Gandhi's leadership: 'He gave us energy to fight it out and he was so damn sure that this time it is we, UDF is going to come back to power in Kerala.' Additionally, Gandhi is scheduled to present the Pradarshini Literature Award to Professor Leelavati. The program underscores the party's focus on strengthening its organizational base to dismantle the Left government's influence in the state.

This news bulletin covers major political and legal developments across India. TVK chief and actor Vijay has arrived in Delhi via a special flight as he faces questioning by the CBI regarding the Karur stampede case following the Pongal break. In political news, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to launch the NDA's election campaign in Tamil Nadu on January 23rd, with the state BJP chief indicating that the 'SAGE' will determine the future of key alliances involving OPS and TTV Dinakaran. Meanwhile, the BJP is set to announce Nitin Naveen as the successor to JP Nadda for the post of national president. In Kerala, Rahul Gandhi will lead the Congress Mahapanchayat in Kochi to prepare for assembly polls and felicitate local body winners. Additionally, a tragic accident in Noida Sector 150 resulted in the death of 27-year-old techie Yuvraj Mehta, leading to FIRs against builders and the termination of Noida Authority officials.

Political tensions rise in Southern India with multiple developing stories. In Tamil Nadu, the producers of Thalapathy Vijay’s film ‘Jananayakan’ have approached the Madras High Court due to a Censor Board delay in certification ahead of its January 9 release. TVK Leader Nirmal Kumar alleges political motives are stalling the process. Concurrently, Tamil Nadu opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami submitted a file to Governor R.N. Ravi, alleging widespread scams by the ruling DMK government and demanding a formal inquiry. This is heightened by the BJP accusing the DMK of being 'anti-Hindu' amid a controversy over the Tiruparankundram temple Deepam, where a court verdict upheld the lighting of the lamp. Meanwhile, in Karnataka, Siddaramaiah has become the state's longest-serving Chief Minister, matching a record held for over four decades. The bulletin also notes Home Minister Amit Shah's scheduled visit to Kerala.

India ushered in 2026 with vibrant celebrations across the nation. In Goa, fireworks lit up the night sky as tourists packed clubs and resorts. Similar scenes of joy were witnessed in Rajasthan's Ajmer and Kerala's Kochi, where large crowds danced to welcome the New Year. In Hubli, locals bid farewell to 2025 with spectacular fireworks. Globally, countries like China, Malaysia, and the Philippines marked the occasion, while Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese greeted the nation as midnight struck.

This special bulletin reports on the onset of 2026 across South India, capturing the vibrant New Year celebrations from Hyderabad to Chennai. The broadcast highlights the festive atmosphere at iconic locations like Charminar and major temples, alongside strict police security measures. Significant political developments are also covered, including a CBI inquiry into a tragic incident involving a political party and the use of artificial intelligence by leaders for greetings. Additionally, the report details a controversy over an art exhibition in Kerala and updates on railway infrastructure projects.

As Southern India prepares to welcome 2026, major cities have implemented strict security measures to ensure public safety. In Bengaluru, police have barricaded key areas like MG Road and Brigade Road, restricting vehicle entry to manage the expected crowds. Chennai has deployed a massive police force to prevent bike stunts and maintain law and order, while Hyderabad has announced flyover closures and intensified drunk driving checks. Authorities in Kerala have also regulated entry to popular tourist spots like Fort Kochi. The programme highlights the extensive preparations and advisories issued by law enforcement agencies across the region to facilitate a safe and responsible New Year's Eve celebration.