When PM Modi’s reply to Motion of Thanks to the President’s address in the Lok Sabha was hastily called off a little after 5 pm on Feb 5, the Opposition benches felt triumphant. The House had to be content with just passing a statement thanking the President without PM’s reply. It was as if the Congress strategy of deploying women MPs on PM Modi’s way into the House and his path upto his seat had paid off. The party felt it had chased away PM out of the Lok Sabha using its girl power — a gaggle of women MPs. However, the Congress’s devious plan was thoroughly exposed by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla as he declared that it was he who had advised PM to stay away from the House proceedings based on concrete inputs of an “unexpected/inappropriate incident” being planned by Congress MPs. Though details of the “indecent incident” that was planned are not available, it is quite clear it would have lowered the dignity of the House as well as   the high office of the PM. Official sources confirmed that the Govt too had security concerns about allowing PM Modi, a SPG protectee, inside Lok Sabha. Since SPG can’t go inside House, it would have to rely on House marshals. Interestingly, when PM Modi addressed the Rajya Sabha, women marshals were in good number. In his address to the Rajya Sabha, PM Modi took on Rahul Gandhi for attacking his junior ministerial colleague Ravneet Singh Bittu. “What happened yesterday – the ‘Yuvraj’ of Congress who has ‘shaatir dimag’, called an MP of this House ‘traitor’…He did not call anyone else who has left the Congress a traitor. But he called the MP a traitor because he is a Sikh.” Firing salvo at the TMC, he said while developed nations are throwing out infiltrators, in India political parties are using it to protect infiltrators.

With eye on Assembly polls, the West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s interim Budget focuses on women and youth voters. In the interim budget amounting to Rs 4.06 lakh crore, Mamata’s government announced a Rs 500 increase in the monthly Lakshmi Bhandar scheme from the current Rs 1000/1200. The scheme is now being viewed as a response to the NDA’s Ladki Bahin Yojana scheme, which contributed to positive outcomes for the NDA in states such as Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi. According to the electoral roll published in January 2025, West Bengal has approximately 3,76,00,611 female voters and 3,87,93,743 male voters. The Lakshmi Bhandar scheme currently reaches around 2.2 crore women beneficiaries. In another welfare measure, Didi’s government announced that gig workers will be brought under existing social security programmes, including Swasthyasathi. Additionally, the state declared that wages of Anganwadi workers and Anganwadi Sahayaks will be raised by Rs 1,000 starting April 2026. The government has also proposed a new Rs 5,000 crore initiative called “Banglar Yuba-Sathi” for educated unemployed youth to be launched from 15 August 2026. Under this scheme, unemployed individuals aged 21 to 40 who have passed Madhyamik (Class10), are not covered by other government social security schemes (except educational benefits or scholarships), will receive Rs 1,500 per month. This support will continue until they secure employment or for a maximum period of five years, whichever comes first. Earlier, during the day, following an order from a division bench of the Supreme Court directing the Mamata Banerjee government to promptly pay 25% of the pending DA to state employees and to release the first instalment of the remaining dues by March 31, the CM has declared a 4% hike in DA for state government staff.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is all set to kick off at the Wankhede Stadium on February 7, with India — also known by the moniker Men in Blue — ready to lock horns with the USA. India led by Suryakumar Yadav should take the American team in its stride to start on a positive note. But it will be an Indian team without Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, the best opening pair with an average close to 60 per innings. Numbers speak aloud for itself, but these are times when the people who pick the team refuse to look at the reputation of players and look at the current form of the players and the impact they make in the allotted positions in the batting order. And because of this, one finds the selection committee and team management back the mighty and carefree hitter Abhay Sharma and Sanju Samson, who is far from in good nick. These two had triggered rip-roaring starts scattering the ball all over the park and sort of intimated assorted bowlers in the first 36 balls; their highest start has been a 73 against South Africa at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. In comparison the highest by Gill and Jaiswal is 165 against the West Indies at Lauderhill three years ago. It’s a format one would have thought Rishabh Pant too would have been a perfect fit, but Gill, Jaiswal and Pant will not make headlines from February 7 onwards. Pant has scored 1209 runs off 950 balls batting at No.3, 4 and 5. The onus is now on Abhay Sharma and Sanju Samson — the Punjab Puttar and Malayali Magan — put the big runs on the board.

Sunny Deol, the iconic action hero known for his thunderous dialogues and patriotic fervour, has staged one of Bollywood’s most remarkable revivals in recent years. After a prolonged period of professional setbacks, where he endured a staggering 22-year drought without a solo hit from 2001 to 2022, delivering over 30 flops. Back injuries and experimental roles in non-action films further hampered his momentum, leaving the once-mighty “dhai kilo ka haath” wielder in the shadows. The turning point arrived unexpectedly with Gadar 2 in 2023, a sequel to the 2001 blockbuster. Reviving his role as Tara Singh, Deol shattered box-office records, amassing over Rs 691 crore worldwide and becoming his highest-grossing film ever. This wasn’t just a nostalgic hit; it redefined his career trajectory, proving that one film could indeed transform an actor’s fortunes. Suddenly, long-dormant sequels materialized: projects like Dev, Jatt 2 and Border 2, which had languished for years, gained traction. Border 2, released on January 23, 2026, has already emerged as a massive success, celebrating India’s Republic Day with patriotic zeal and featuring Deol alongside Varun Dhawan and Diljit Dosanjh. It has shattered records, confirming his resurgence, and even prompted announcements for Border 3 and Gadar 3. Adding to the excitement, veteran director Rajkumar Santoshi, Deol’s collaborator on classics like Ghayal and Damini, is keen to make Ghatak 2, a sequel to 1996 cult hit. Deol has been cautious about cashing in on nostalgia without strong scripts. With upcoming films like Lahore 1947, Ramayana: Part 1 (Diwali 2026), Gabru and Baap, Deol’s slate for 2026 alone could see up to seven releases. At 68, he’s not just back; he’s dominating, blending old-school machismo with modern appeal, reminding Bollywood that true stars endure. His journey from flops to blockbusters exemplifies that age is no barrier to box-office glory.

The meeting between West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi ended midway after sharp exchanges, with Didi walking out in a huff. She accused CEC Kumar of arrogant behaviour, misconduct and acting at the behest of the BJP. She described the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls as unplanned and arbitrary. The nearly hour-long meeting was convened to discuss the SIR process in West Bengal. She led a delegation comprising her nephew and second in command of the party Abhishek Banerjee and TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee, along with 12 individuals affected by the exercise, including families alleging deaths due to SIR-related stress and voters reportedly marked as dead despite being alive. According to TMC sources, tensions escalated soon after Mamata questioned the conduct of the SIR, raising issues such as reported deaths and hospitalisations, the absence of SIR in Assam, publication of anomalous voter lists in Bengal and the appointment of micro-observers. Abhishek raised detailed objections, while Kalyan Banerjee pointed to legal concerns and Supreme Court directions. The TMC alleged that Kumar repeatedly interrupted the delegation and used dismissive language, leading to walk out of the meeting. The TMC highlighted that among the 12 affected individuals, two were from minority communities and 10 were Hindus, countering BJP claims linking objections to illegal immigrants. Didi warned of intensified protests if the EC did not change its approach and said she would continue the political fight on the streets. The EC rejected the allegations, stating that all questions were answered and warning that the rule of law would be enforced strictly. It accused some TMC legislators of threatening election officials and alleged obstruction of SIR work and non-payment of honorariums to booth-level officers by the Bengal government.

A hiatus teaches new tricks and treats to an artist. Silambarasan too needed this makeover, badly if he had to survive in Kollywood. After huge hits Manadu, Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaaya and Manmadhan, a noticeable slippage took place in his performance and choice of scripts. Simbu was quick to take action…worked on his body and appearance. More important…he signed up with director Vetri Maran for Arasan, a gangster film planned to be another Vada Chennai, Vetri Maran’s Hollywood style slick action movie. At one point the announcement that Vijay Sethupathi (a Vetri Maran’s stable staple) as heft for Arasan, raised the expectation quotient of fans. But suddenly Sethupathi opted out of this Rs 500 crore project. With Anirudh providing music, and a strong script, Sethupathi won’t be missed. Simbu’s next is God of Love, a counterpoint to gangster violence and vitriol. The movie, a romantic fantasy from the AGS stable, is temporarily titled STR 51. This soft avatar and its direction by Ashwath Marimuthu has raised the stock of God of Love considerably. Fans of Marimuthu may remember Dragon and Oh My Kadavule that left a lasting impression. Archana Kalpathi from the production house is optimistic that the film’s four dances of Simbu would definitely bring back his crackling electric presence with stylish dance moves. But what raised curiosity is the news of Bollywood star Mrunal Thakur as leading lady for Simbu. Tamil mags website even flashed photos of the pair, which went missing the next day. Are you trying to connect Simbu’s pairing with Mrunal and the sizzling news of a Dhanush Mrunal wedding? Dhanush and Simbu were teen friends till he married Aishwaraya, Rajinikanth’s daughter. What’s intriguing about real life links and film casting? The God Of Love title could just be a hit or miss.

Arijit Singh’s sudden decision to step away from playback singing swiftly followed by an even more unexpected development of entering active politics (joining BJP) has shocked his fans and well-wishers. With Assembly elections drawing closer, the induction of celebrities into political parties has become an increasingly common phenomenon in West Bengal. The speculation has not remained confined to social media and public discourse. Political circles, particularly within the BJP such as senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh, Murshidabad BJP MLA Gaurishankar Ghosh and actor-politician Rudranil Ghosh acknowledged awareness of the rumours but confirmed that no communication regarding Singh’s possible induction had been received from the party’s central leadership. Observers analyse how Singh’s name was linked with politics. Gaurishankar Ghosh pointed to the singer’s longstanding humanitarian activities in Murshidabad. According to him, Singh has quietly supported several voluntary organisations and maintains a close understanding of his home district’s social and economic challenges. This sustained engagement with grassroots issues, he suggested, may have contributed to the political speculation surrounding the singer. The MLA further noted that Singh’s stature, influence, and compassionate public image could significantly benefit a backward district if he were ever to enter public life. Rudranil Ghosh, meanwhile, highlighted Singh’s past expressions on social media during moments of political and social unrest in Bengal. He referred to the singer’s involvement during the RG Kar movement, including the composition of a song, as well as political views occasionally reflected on his X account.  At present there is no confirmation from either side. But as they say there is no smoke without fire.

Time, they say, flies—and how true that is. Here we are celebrating our 5th Anniversary. Five years ago, when Covid-19 was wreaking havoc across the globe, I took a leap of faith and launched Short Post, India’s first website for Authentic Gossip. That was on January 31, 2021. I was convinced there was a clear gap in the market for gossip that was credible, sharp, and impactful—especially if told in just 250 words. In this, I was fortunate. Scores of senior editors across diverse verticals bought into the idea and, in the process, gave wings to my dream. Quite honestly, Short Post could not have crossed these milestones without the unflinching support of its contributing editors. Like all start-ups, we have seen our share of ups and downs, but these editors have stood by us like a rock. I take this opportunity to doff my hat to them. Thanks to their commitment, we have published close to 5,000 stories spanning politics, business, entertainment, and sports. I say this with pride: we made our mark as people who matter read us. “Small packs, big impact” truly captures the essence of Short Post. We all know that Covid-19 has reset businesses worldwide, and the media sector is no exception. In the post-Covid era, investors have become more cautious and selective—and advertisers too. To compound matters, the entry of AI has disrupted the media landscape in equal measure. So far, we have managed to hold our ground, hopeful that some angel investors will take a shine to us. What gives me confidence is this: AI cannot smell news—especially the gossipy kind. In other words, AI cannot churn out Short Post-type stories, no matter the prompt. That puts us in a safe zone. As someone rightly said, “AI is a co-pilot, not a pilot.”

Notwithstanding public posturing by the DMK about firming up an alliance with the Congress, it is being said that senior DMK MP Kanimozhi didn’t have a nice experience trying to forge a seat sharing agreement with the Congress in the two rounds of meetings that she held with Rahul Gandhi this week. What particularly left a bad after taste in the mouth for her was the manner in which Rahul did not permit Kanimozhi to interact with Sonia Gandhi at 10 Janpath.  In fact, after the first round of meeting that was initially held in the Lok Sabha LoP’s office on January 28, it was Rahul who had suggested that Kanimozhi could come over to 10 Janpath. Kanimozhi saw it as an opportunity to interact with Congress matriarch. But Rahul made it clear that his mother was not available for sorting out dicey political alliance matters and that the DMK leaders have to deal with him. While the DMK raised the impropriety of Congress in charge Girish Chodankar thrusting a list of 41 assembly seats that his party wished to fight in his first meeting with CM Stalin, Rahul wanted to know why the DMK was not working “to strengthen the Congress at the grassroots and in local bodies” in TN. Rahul’s approach somewhat surprised Kanimozhi and  asked Rahul if he could speak to her half-brother Stalin. Stalin didn’t yield to Congress’ demand for more seats right away and said a panel would go into the demands. The DMK found it difficult to accept Congress terms of coalition power sharing. Rahul pointed out to Kanimozhi what the Congress was sharing with JMM in Jharkhand. Kanimozhi made it clear to Rahul that her party could offer 27/28 — 2 or 3 seats more than 25 that the Congress contested in 2021.

How times have changed quipped a veteran cricket administrator after Bangladesh chose not to travel to India for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup – citing security concerns. A little over 25 years ago, the BCCI, steered by Jagmohan Dalmiya backed the entry of Bangladesh as a full member of the ICC, and the young nation played its first Test against India. Things have changed out of the blue a quarter of a century later; precipitated by political changes in that country, and the killings of a particular community there which seems to have nudged the BCCI to ask the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders to eject Bangladesh left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman from the squad for the IPL 2026 season. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), now clearly tilting towards Pakistan, and ordered by its sports advisor, took a call to ask the ICC to relocate its matches to Sri Lanka. The ICC did not budge and took a firm decision to drop Bangladesh from the tournament and replace it with Scotland. According to reports the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) — supporting Bangladesh — threatened to pull out of the World Cup or not play India in Colombo saying its decision will be left to the Pakistan government. Nothing has been heard from across the border, but what’s certain is the relations between India and Bangladesh being shelved with no bilateral cricket likely to happen anytime soon. Tours to Bangladesh by India’s men and women teams were cancelled last year and henceforth Bangladesh will find it extremely difficult to request India to tour its country for a bilateral series – even if the political situation changes after the election in that country in February.