Mamata Banerjee

A massive showdown erupted in parliament on Monday after Rahul Gandhi tried to quote from former army chief Naravane's unpublished memoir claiming the government showed no political will against Chinese incursions in 2020.

In this edition of 'To The Point', the big talking point is the political confrontation in Lok Sabha following Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s references to an unpublished memoir by former Army Chief General MM Naravane.

In this edition of Super 6, the focus is on the intense political showdown in Parliament as Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi cites an unpublished memoir by former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee slammed Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and called him 'arrogant and a 'liar' after meeting him in Delhi over SIR row.

The top focus of this episode of 5 Live is on Pakistan's decision to boycott its match against India at the T20 World Cup.

West Bengal Chief Minister, Trinamool Congress delegation and 12 'SIR-affected' families on Monday met Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will meet Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar this evening in Delhi over the voter list row.

This special News Today edition covers Pakistan's decision to boycott its T20 World Cup match against India following Bangladesh's withdrawal. The program features analysis by Sunil Gavaskar regarding potential ICC sanctions.

In this news report, the focus is on Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to poll-bound West Bengal, where he launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Addressing a public rally, Shah held the Trinamool Congress (TMC) administration responsible for the loss of 25 lives in the recent Anandapur incident, alleging that 'the illness completely lies on to the state government' and its casual approach to safety. He further accused the TMC of opposing Vande Mataram to cater to vote-bank politics. A significant highlight of his address was the pledge to completely seal the Indo-Bangladesh border fencing within 45 days, citing national security concerns and a Calcutta High Court directive regarding land procurement. The report details how the Home Minister framed illegal infiltration as a primary issue for the upcoming 2026 elections, while criticising the state's failure to learn from past tragedies in suburban Kolkata.

This report covers the tragic fire at a Wow Momo warehouse in Anandapur, Kolkata, which resulted in over 20 fatalities. Following the arrest of the godown owner, Gangadhar Das, two company officials—Manager Raj Chakraborty and Deputy Manager Manoranjan Sheeth—have been remanded to six-day police custody. West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose inspected the site, stating, 'The law enforcement agencies, the owner of the warehouse, all are responsible in equal measure for the mishap that has taken place.' While the BJP has alleged negligence and fire safety violations, calling the incident a 'man-made tragedy,' TMC’s Kunal Ghosh described it as an 'unfortunate accident' and urged against politicising the probe. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. The investigation continues as political tensions rise over alleged links between the warehouse owner and the state administration.

A devastating fire at a 'Wow Momo' warehouse in Kolkata's Anandpur area has claimed 21 lives, with rescue operations entering the fourth day. The anchor reports that 'the death toll in the devastating Kolkata warehouse fire has now climbed to 21' as cranes and gaff cutters remain deployed to clear debris. The incident, which began on January 26, has triggered a massive political confrontation in West Bengal. The Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, has alleged grave negligence by the Trinamool Congress government, demanding a transparent probe and ₹50 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased. An unidentified speaker criticised the state administration, alleging that the government is 'not working' and announced a major protest rally. Both the BJP and Congress have targeted the Chief Minister over alleged apathy and the lack of accountability regarding safety standards at the warehouse complex where workers were reportedly sleeping when the blaze broke out.

On this Special Report, the focus is on the Calcutta High Court's significant directive to the West Bengal government regarding national security. Tapas Sengupta reports that the court has ordered the state to 'hand over all the lands that is required to build up fencing in the border areas to the BSF' by March 31. The order pertains to already acquired land across nine border districts to facilitate barbed wire fencing along the Indo-Bangladesh border. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has hailed the decision, accusing the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of prioritizing vote bank interests over national security. The report highlights that approximately 235 kilometres of the border remain porous, leading to a long-standing flashpoint between the Centre and the state government. The High Court's intervention follows a PIL, emphasizing the urgency of sealing vulnerable stretches in districts like Nadia and North 24 Parganas. The programme explores the political implications of this legal mandate as elections approach.

The death toll from the devastating fire at a Wow Momo warehouse in Kolkata's Anandpur has risen to 21. Rescue operations have entered the fourth day, with cranes and gas cutters deployed to navigate the debris while families search for missing persons. The incident, which occurred on January 26, has triggered a significant political confrontation in West Bengal. The Leader of Opposition has accused the Trinamool Congress of negligence, demanding a transparent probe and Rs 50 lakh ex-gratia for the victims' families. An unidentified speaker noted, 'The true picture why this happened, it will come to the forefront because all the media is with us,' while criticizing the imposition of restrictions on opposition leaders visiting the site. The Congress has also targeted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over alleged apathy. Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress maintains the blaze was an accident, even as questions regarding safety protocols and responsibility continue to mount.

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 Special Report, the focus is on the high-level investigation into the tragic plane crash in Baramati that led to the untimely demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and forensic teams have reached the wreckage site, located approximately 12 kilometres from Baramati city, to collect samples and determine the cause of the accident. An Unidentified speaker noted that 'the DGCA and the forensic teams are at the crash site as we speak' to inspect the remains of the aircraft following a reported explosion. While the Maharashtra Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR), political tensions have surfaced following demands for a Supreme Court-monitored probe. However, Sharad Pawar has appealed for an end to political discourse during this period of grief, describing the incident as a tragic accident. The investigation is currently exploring various angles, including poor visibility, mechanical failure, and human error, as the final rites for the leader are prepared.

This special broadcast of News Today, hosted by Rajdeep Sardesai, reports on the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar. The senior leader died after his Learjet 45XR aircraft crashed near the Baramati airport runway during a second landing attempt. The incident claimed five lives, including the flight crew and security personnel. Aviation experts Captain Sam Thomas and Sanjay Lazar analyze the technical circumstances, questioning the lack of a Mayday call, visibility issues, and safety protocols at uncontrolled airfields. The discussion examines potential VVIP pressure on pilots and the regulatory framework under the DGCA. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has commenced a probe, while political leaders seek a Supreme Court-supervised investigation. The bulletin reviews Pawar’s career, including his six terms as Deputy Chief Minister and his administrative legacy within the NCP. Colleagues reflect on his grassroots leadership and unfulfilled ambition to become Chief Minister. The report concludes by assessing the future of the Pawar family legacy following this aviation tragedy.