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India Political Highlights | Complaint against Sonia Gandhi in Bihar court for remark on PresidentThis blog is now closed. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her record eighth consecutive Budget today even as the Oppn members walked out over their demand to discuss the Maha Kumbh issue. Understandably, the ruling party and its allies have praised the Budget, while opposition members are taking digs -- many pointed towards poll-bound Bihar, which saw a slew of announcements in its favour. Meanwhile, Kejriwal claimed that even BJP supporters wanted AAP in Delhi because, without the party's schemes, they would have to pay Rs 25,000 more each month. Thank you for tracking the latest political updates, here on DH!
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<div class="paragraphs"><p>Congress President Sonia Gandhi </p></div>

Congress President Sonia Gandhi

PTI File Photo

No difference between PM Modi, Kejriwal; both are cowards, corrupt: Priyanka Gandhi

Priyanka Gandhi further attacked Modi and Kejriwal on issues related to state of the country's economy, inflation, unemployment and corruption.

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"Today, AAP and the BJP are taking credit for the work done by Sheila Dikshit ji. No new work has been done in Delhi in the past 10 years. The work done by Sheila Dikshit ji in Delhi is in front of you," she said.

The Congress leader claimed that India's economy was collapsing, the rupee falling, monthly installments becoming expensive, stock market declining, tax burden increasing and GST being imposed on every item.

The public is being constantly weakened, she said.

"Our Constitution was made for everyone, in which everyone has equal rights. The Constitution has given you the power of vote, through which you choose your government. Your vote can strengthen the Constitution or weaken it. Therefore, you have to make your decision very thoughtfully in the polls," Priyanka Gandhi said.

AAP stalling Delhi's growth, using city as political ATM to fund ambitions in other states: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party, accusing it of stalling Delhi's development while treating the city as its "political ATM" to fund its ambitions in other states and using the "looted" money for its own publicity.

Addressing a public rally in Dwarka here, he urged people to vote for the BJP in the Assembly polls and allow him to serve them. Modi stressed that Delhi does not need a confrontational government but one that works in coordination with the Centre.

Rahul Gandhi takes dig at FM ahead of Union Budget presentation

Taking a dig at Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman ahead of the Union Budget, Gandhi said, "You will see the finance minister will go (to parliament) with a briefcase, but you will not see a single Dalit, tribals, backward or minority in the picture. Of the 90 officers who made the budget, only three are from OBC."

Claiming that decisions of a total of Rs 6.10 out of every Rs 100 distributed will be taken by officers of OBCs, Dalits, tribals, and minorities, he said, "That is why we have said we will conduct a case survey, but Narendra Modi will not be able to do this."

AAP will win more than 60 seats in Delhi, says Sanjay Singh; Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan confident of 'change' in the capital

Last Budget's announcements for Karnataka not completely fulfilled; have little hopes this time: Siddaramaiah

Budget as useless an exercise as President's address: MP Manish Tewari

"What is a budget ?

It is nothing more than an accounting excersize.

How much did Government earn and how much did it spend .

Over the years it has evolved into an annual grandstanding ritual for the Finance Minister.

It is as useless a ritual as the President address.

The income and expenditure statement of the government can just be laid on the floor of the house," he said on X.

What has 10 years of 'Modinomics' led to? Have 'zero expectations' from Budget, says K'taka Minister Priyank Kharge

If BJP govt comes, you will lose Rs 25,000; do you have that much money? Kejriwal asks Delhi voters

There is something more important than Budget at the moment...the Maha Kumbh stampede: Akhilesh Yadav

The Samajwadi Party chief went on to say that people are still looking and searching for their relatives, after the stampede which purportedly killed 30. Reports have, however, emerged that there was a second stampede where 7 lives were lost -- a fact unacknowledged by the Yogi Adityanath govt. Akhilesh also claimed that the Yogi govt was hiding the actual death toll.

Oppn members walk out as FM begins Budget speech 

Bihar must be thinking if it can have election every year: Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi 

The Union government on Saturday unveiled several big-ticket plans for poll-bound Bihar in the FY26 Budget, which include setting up of a makahana board, a greenfield airport as well as financial support for Western Koshi Canal Project in the Mithilanchal region of the state.

In the Union Budget 2025-26, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also announced the establishment of a National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management in Bihar and the expansion of hostel and other infrastructure capacity at IIT Patna.

Other announcements for Bihar include the capacity expansion of Patna airport and development of a brownfield airport at Bihta.

Bihar goes to polls later this year, and is currently governed by one of Modi's key allies -- Nitish Kumar.

(With PTI inputs)

'What benefits are small traders getting from this?' AAP's Sanjay Singh asks on tax relief for salaried people

Finance Minister's announcement of 75,000 new medical seats is a political illusion: Pawan Khera

The Congress leader said it was meant to distract from the "government's failures in medical education infrastructure."

On X, he wrote --

Nearly 40-45% of medical faculty positions remain vacant across India. With 2,161 vacant positions at AIIMS, the government is harming the entire medical training ecosystem.

By announcing more seats without tackling critical issues such as faculty recruitment, salary structures, and quality control, the BJP government is eroding the foundation of medical education.

The Standing Committee on Health & Family Welfare (February 2024) has warned that the rapid increase in medical seats has resulted in a concerning shortage of faculty. Experts caution that without improvements to existing colleges, this initiative will compromise the quality of medical education.

"This government continues to make big announcements while ignoring the realities on the ground. The healthcare system is falling apart due to their negligence, and they are attempting to mask the situation," he further said.

Oppn said this Budget is useless, but their perspective is useless: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale 

Oppn didn't have anything to say because it is such a good Budget: Kiren Rijiju

Rijiju also defended the Budget bonanza for Bihar, saying it was part of the country, and if it got something good, it was for the overall good of India as well.

This Budget is a band-aid for bullet wounds: Rahul Gandhi

The leader of the Opposition slammed the Budget in a post on X, saying that a paradigm shift was needed at a time of global uncertainty, before accusing the Narendra Modi government of being bankrupt of ideas.

There was an opportunity to make big reforms but it was not done: Prithviraj Chavan

Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan said govt missed the opportunity to make big reforms.

"First of all I would like to say that we are very disappointed by this budget.... There was an opportunity to make big reforms but it was not done...There might have been some expansion for education and health but nothing happened and this tokenism of making some announcements for Bihar due to the Bihar elections does not seem to have brought any improvement in the basic condition of Bihar...Many opportunities have been lost and we are disappointed..."

Not a single mention of Maharashtra is an outright insult:  Aaditya Thackeray

Govt is concerned about only those region where there is election: Hanuman Beniwal

RLP (Rashtriya Loktantrik Party) President Hanuman Beniwal said Govt is concerned about only those region where there is election.

"Youths have been disappointed by the budget, nothing has been said about new jobs, nothing has been spoken on MSP and loan waiver, even farmers had a lot of hope...govt is concerned about only those region where there is election...," he said.

No attempt to address economic inequality: Congress

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh said, "GST 1.0 has become a nightmare. But GST 2.0 is becoming a dream now. We have been calling for reforms of GST. The chief economic advisor himself has said that Indian companies are making huge profits but salaries are not increasing, wage rates are not increasing. So who is benefiting? Ultimately, even economic inequality is a very serious issue. But there's been no attempt even to address it, to mention it. It's very disappointing..."

Rahul Gandhi never uses abusive language for anyone: Priyanka Gandhi

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi said level of language used in politics these days has fallen.

"not just one person is responsible for this...everyone is responsible for this...only we have a few leaders left who don't use such language...Rahul Gandhi never uses abusive language for anyone...," she said.

Yogi Adityanath welcomes foreign diplomats in Prayagraj

A 118-member delegation, including Heads of Mission (HoM), spouses of HoMs, and diplomats from 77 countries, participated in #MahaKumbh2025 in Prayagraj today.

UP Cm Adityanath said, "I welcome you all in the Maha Kumbh, it is a moment of happiness that the biggest event of the century has been organised in Prayagraj. Your visit encourages us more. Prayagraj is an old city and the organisation of Kumbh is also a byproduct...Till now 35 crore pilgrims have taken part in the Maha Kumbh. We believe that till February 26 more than 45 crore people will take part in this... This is an amazement for people. Here Ganga is considered divine. There is a huge scope for spiritual tourism also in the country... Today is an important day, as the Vice President came here and participated in this mass event...The head of missions was also present...I hope this visit will give everyone good memories..."

BJP leader Sidharth Nath Singh said, "The ambassadors who have come here today have been introduced to the Sanatan Dharma of India. But after visiting Sangam and taking a dip, I think they will go back to their country as ambassadors of India... Everyone is very happy here today."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah holds a roadshow at Delhi's Rohtas Nagar

AAP MLA Naresh Balyan MCOCA case: Rouse Avenue court on Saturday extended the judicial custody of MLA Naresh Balyan, Rohit alias Anna and Sachin Chikara till February 24

Karnataka got ‘khaali chombu’ in this union budget: CM Siddaramaiah

'Old packaging? Tejaswi Yadav will not understand, he and his parents have no interest in the development of Bihar': Union Minister Lalan Singh

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh reacted to JD(U) leader Tejaswi Yadav's statement on Union Budget 2025, saying, "... Makhana is one of the oldest produce, the marketing of which is happening in the entire world, and the formation of Makhana Board for the development, value addition and increasing its export, is this old packaging?... Is the announcement of Greenfield Airport and IIT expansion, formation of institutes for food processing old packaging? He will not understand, he and his parents have no interest in the development of Bihar..."

'Unfortunate that this government did not talk about how many people are there in this nation, and the effort or the census that is to be conducted has never been conducted, since this government came into power': BRS leader K Kavitha

AAP MLA 'attacked' during rally in Delhi's Rohini; Kejriwal blames BJP for 'hooliganism'

AAP MLA Mohinder Goyal was allegedly assaulted during a public rally in the Rohini area here on Saturday with party chief Arvind Kejriwal accusing the BJP of indulging in "hooliganism" in the face of an imminent defeat in the February 5 Assembly polls.

TheThe incident took place at around 11 am when Goyal, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate from the Rithala Assembly segment, was interacting with the local residents of Pocket H in Sector 11.

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Court to decide on Monday whether to take cognisance of defamation plea against Bansuri Swaraj

A Delhi court is likely to decide on February 3 whether to take cognisance of a defamation complaint filed by the AAP's Satyendra Jain against BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Neha Mittal on Saturday reserved the order after hearing arguments on the issue.

Jain has alleged in his complaint that Swaraj had made defamatory remarks against him during an interview on a TV channel on October 5, 2023, which he claimed was watched by millions of people.

The complaint alleged that Bansuri Swaraj falsely stated that Rs 3 crore were recovered from Jain's house in October 2023 during raids by law-enforcement agencies.

She had also stated that 1.8 kg gold and 133 gold coins were recovered from the house, the complaint claimed.

The remarks were made by Swaraj to defame Jain and to gain undue political advantage, it claimed.

Swaraj further defamed Jain by calling him "corrupt" and "fraud", it added.

Nehru had vision, Modi blaming him to shirk responsibility: Congress' Priyanka Gandhi

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday slammed Prime Minister Narendra for blaming Jawahar Lal Nehru for various ills, saying he was resorting to such an approach to shirk his responsibility towards the people.

In a swipe at the Centre for the Income Tax relief to the middle class, she said there were not many people who earned enough to pay taxes.

Only a small number of people earn enough to fall in the taxpayers' category, she claimed.

Addressing an election rally in Chandni Chowk ahead of the February 5 assembly polls in Delhi, the Wayanad MP said Modi and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal blamed each other for constructing a 'Sheesh Mahal' and a 'Rajmahal', respectively.

The fact remains that both looted the people, she asserted.

Attacking the BJP and the AAP leadership, she said leaders who blamed each other were actually shirking their responsibility towards the people.

Referring to attacks by Modi on India's first prime minister Nehru, she said the prime minister should take responsibility instead of attacking his predecessors.

"Nehru had vision ... Nehru and Indira Gandhi established public sector units that generated employment," she told the gathering.

People should be cautious of those who create differences to serve their political interests, she said.

Highly disappointing that FM's Budget Speech made no mention of releasing funds for census: Congress' Jairam Ramesh

"It is highly disappointing that the Finance Minister’s Budget Speech made no mention of releasing funds for the decadal Population Census that was supposed to have taken place in 2021, but has still not been conducted," Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X.

Delhi  polls |'Jhooth ki dukan band hone wali hai': Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini as he rakes up Yamuna water issue again at Vikaspuri rally 

Delhi  polls | 'Since last 11 years in Delhi, AAP-da government is in power. Congress government was also there for 15 years before... due to which Delhi remained the most pollution affected capital in the world': Uttarakhand CM Dhami at Laxmi Nagar rally

'This budget is anti-people and anti-poor, it is directionless': TMC leader Kunal Ghosh

Delhi polls | 'Delhi is dedicated to Arvind Kejriwal and he is winning... This time, the fight is between Jan Shakti and Dhan Shakti': TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha

Eight AAP sitting MLAs, who resigned from the party after being denied tickets to contest Delhi election 2025, join BJP

AAP MLAs join BJP

Credit: X/ANI

The MLAs who joined BJP are Bhawna Gaur, Rohit Mehraulia, Girish Soni, Madan Lal, Rajesh Rishi, BS Joon, Naresh Yadav and Pawan Sharma.

WATCH: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann along with Singer Mika Singh sing a song as they hold an election rally in Majnu Ka Tilla

EC writes to Delhi CEO, emphasises steps for free and fair assembly polls

Yogi Adityanath meets Maha Kumbh stampede victims at a hospital in Prayagraj

Complaint against Sonia Gandhi in Bihar court for remark on President

A complaint was filed against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi before a court in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district on Saturday for her 'poor thing' remark on President Droupadi Murmu.

Sudhir Ojha, a Muzaffarpur-based lawyer, filed the complaint against Sonia Gandhi seeking registration of an FIR against her for allegedly disrespecting the highest constitutional authority in the country.

Ojha also named Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as co-accused and sought legal action against them as well.

"Sonia Gandhi has insulted President Murmu by making the 'poor thing' remark. It's a disrespect to the highest constitutional authority in the country. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are co-accused in it. A case should be registered against them under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)," Ojha told reporters after filing the complaint before the CJM court in Muzaffarpur.

The court will hear the matter on February 10.

'Comments are politically motivated and reflects Rahul Gandhi's zero knowledge on the economy of the country': Assam CM Himanta