The police have issued a notice to newly elected All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) corporator from Mumbra, Sahar Shaikh, under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) following a controversial remark in which she said the entire town would be “painted green”. The action comes after a video of Shaikh’s victory speech went viral on social media. In the clip, she is seen ridiculing NCP-SP MLA Jitendra Awhad, who had been her political mentor until recently. “In the next five years, every candidate in Mumbra will be from AIMIM. Mumbra must be completely painted green,” she said. Soon after the video surfaced, a BJP delegation led by former MP Kirit Somaiya submitted a written complaint to the police, alleging that the remarks were provocative and could incite communal tension in the sensitive township. Objecting to the statement, Somaiya said, “Mumbra belongs to Maharashtra, and the state bows before the saffron of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.” Though his letter did not name Shaikh, the complaint prompted the police to initiate preventive action. A police official said the notice was issued as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order. Shaikh has been advised to exercise restraint in public speeches and avoid statements that could hurt sentiments or disturb communal harmony. Responding to the controversy, Shaikh claimed that her words were being deliberately misinterpreted for political purposes. She maintained that her remark only reflected her ambition to expand AIMIM’s political presence in the area and was not intended to provoke or divide.

Maharashtra’s politics has long been a maze of caste equations, regional ambitions, cooperative networks and dominant local satraps. But in recent years — and more sharply after the latest civic and local body elections — a striking new trend is seen emerging. All political parties are discarding ideological commitments and old rivalries to cobble together expedient alliances at the grassroots. Across wards and municipalities, the political battle is no longer anchored in principles or programmes. Instead, it revolves around arithmetic, individual clout and the urgency for political survival. Once sworn adversaries, many are sharing rallies, ideological oppositions are sunk and erstwhile bitter enmities are quietly buried in the scramble for seizing power. Crass pragmatism has triumphed over sanctity of philosophy. In short, convenience has replaced conviction. In this arena of local politics, “no holds barred” has become the key word. It is a ruthless realism where power matters more than what one once stood for. While the BJP has established its numerical prime position in the state polity by winning over half of the seats in the 29 municipal corporations that went to the polls, the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray and the NCP established by Sharad Pawar were the main losers. However, in the post-poll scenario that is throwing one surprise after another, both these parties are engaged in forming alliances with some of their former opponents. The clear picture will become visible in a few days once the mayoral elections are held. Till then, the once unthinkable permutations and combinations will be watched by the hapless electors.

Maharashtra political potboiler is over, and yet the real corporate battle has only just begun. Suave Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched into Davos, Switzerland, knowing fully well Maharashtra’s top-notch status cannot be taken for granted has inked 85 MoUs. A state meeting recently witnessed his outburst, “If Hemanta Biswas can, Maharashtra will do better.” The comment was in context of the medical infrastructure blueprint that his Assam counterpart is credited with making progress. Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu, a Davos veteran, tom-toms his Hydrogen valley, Data Centre, Bio-Centre Capital of India, Google IT collaboration projects speaking quantum language. Biswas claims Rs 1 lakh crore in FDI to include a Data Centre project making Assam the gateway of South Asia, somewhere in the future. Fadnavis is single-mindedly prioritizing innovation, smart city securing Rs 1 lakh crore from five EU nations. The intense political battle he just won across 29 civic corporations, without involving PM Narendra Modi once, has bolstered his image. His business acumen, infrastructure push in the energy sector is crucial to bringing in business, no mean feat considering three decades old transmission and distribution lines running across the state compared to a fully rejuvenated Gujarat with fully modernized power transmission lines. Maharashtra is setting up 16000 MW of solar power to be distributed free to agriculturists in the state. If only focus on modernizing the three-decade old power infrastructure lines follows, the “theft and dacoity” of electricity as PM Atal Behari Vajpayee put it that hovers around 18-20% would be curbed bringing down electricity cost for industry on parity with other states of India.

Two days ahead of PM Modi’s public meeting at Madurantakam, Chengalpattu district on January 23, the BJP stepped up its campaign to expand the NDA ahead of the assembly elections. On January 21, AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran, rejoined the NDA alliance in the presence of Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal in Chennai. He had moved out of the NDA in September 2025. This was six months after Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that AIADMK chief Eddapadi K Palaniswami would be the CM face and lead the AIADMK- BJP alliance in Tamil Nadu in April 2025. In a reversal of events early this year, Dhinakaran flew into Delhi, met Amit Shah to pave the way for his return into the NDA fold. It is being said the AMMK commands considerable influence among the Mukkulathor community or Thevars in southern TN. Dhinakaran rejoining the NDA could spell trouble for the ruling DMK. So too the joining of Anbumani Ramadoss-led PMK. It is being said Amit Shah was very keen that all anti-DMK votes in the South, particularly the Thevar community votes should not be fragmented. Dhinakaran described the past differences as merely a “family feud”. On his part, AIADMK chief Palaniswami also welcomed Dhinakaran.  The only person acting pricey is DMDK leader Premalatha, widow of late actor Vijayakanth. She is bargaining for two Rajya Sabha seats, a ministerial berth for her son in Modi Govt and some 20 assembly seats. It is her demand to accommodate her son in the Central Govt that has spooked Delhi. Meanwhile, it is learnt that DMK has asked Congress to scale down its demand for seats to 28 and has offered instead to bankroll poll expenses of Assam assembly elections. This simply shows how desperately DMK needs Congress — that is why it is trying to keep it away from actor Vijay’s TVK.

Ahead of the Assembly elections this year, the West Bengal BJP leadership is facing an uncomfortable situation after Kharagpur Sadar MLA Hiran Chatterjee posted pictures on social media announcing his second marriage, revealing that the ceremony had taken place in Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency. What initially remained a low-key development within the party escalated after Hiran’s first wife, Anindita Chatterjee, publicly claimed that there had been no legal divorce between them. The claim has caused disquiet within the BJP, with party sources confirming that internal discussions are under way on whether Hiran, a popular Bengali star, should be re-nominated from Kharagpur Sadar. The issue has since acquired a legal dimension, with Anindita and the couple’s daughter, Niyasha, filing a complaint against the MLA and his alleged second wife. A section within BJP is viewing the issue with concern, particularly given the party’s ideological emphasis on Hindu traditions and Hindutva. Senior leaders, speaking off the record, acknowledge that while marriage is a personal decision, contracting a second marriage without a legal divorce can amount to a criminal offence and raises questions of propriety and ethics. The party’s current position, sources said, is that there is no documentary proof available so far to establish the second marriage. The filing of a formal complaint by Hiran’s first wife and daughter has, however, sharpened scrutiny of the MLA and fuelled speculation within party circles. The continued silence of the leadership, leaders admit privately, is being interpreted both as an attempt to limit political damage and as a possible indication of a growing distance between the party and the sitting MLA — a distance that could ultimately influence ticket decisions.

This year there has been too much shrill in the social media about the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland.  The general lament has been “Why are India’s Union ministers and chief ministers going all the way to Davos to sign MoUs with the CEOs of Indian companies when the same could have been done in India …in the CM’s cabin”? Why waste taxpayers money? Effectively, countering this criticism, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis told Rahul Kanwal of NDTV, that Davos is a meeting place…attended by the who’s who. A number of Indian companies have foreign partners and those people attend the event… and we get an opportunity to meet them while signing the MoUs. And sometimes we just meet the foreign partners and the MoU is subsequently signed in India. Adding further, he said all states in India hold Investment Summit … .so there is no need for it…you can sign MoUs in Mantralaya. Well put. The 56th meeting will see leaders from business, government, international organizations, civil society and academia attend. Capturing the pulse will be over 400 plus journalists & media representatives. The World Economic Forum (WEF) is an international advocacy non-governmental organization and think tank founded on 24 January 1971 by German engineer Klaus Schwab. The main objective of the Davos WEF is to “improve the state of the world” through public-private cooperation.

Nitin Nabin was formally declared as the BJP national president, succeeding JP Nadda, in a brief ceremony at party headquarters in Delhi on January 20. All party stalwarts including PM Modi were present. Even as he received a certificate of election from K Laxman, returning officer for BJP organisational polls, Nabin at 45, became the youngest ever to occupy the top party post. The BJP was founded in Mumbai — then Bombay — in 1980 — the year Nabin was born. Emphasising his youthful background, PM Modi went all out emphasising his “millennial background” and “Gen Z connect”.  “Nitin Nabin is a millennial. He is from a generation who has witnessed the country’s economic transformation”, the PM said introducing the new party chief. Outlining Nabin’s task, Modi felt his “youthful energy and long experience of working in organisation,” would help in expanding the party’s footprint across the country. Emphasising that he would always be a worker of the BJP, Modi said “And when it comes to party matters, I am a worker, and Nitin Nabin ji is my boss.” He also added that Nabin would have responsibility to coordinate with NDA allies. Meanwhile, Nabin’s sensitive millennial side was revealed in a video that was shared of Modi’s meeting with Nabin’s family at party headquarters…it showed Nabin as a caring father even as he was with PM Modi. Interestingly, PM Modi also shared why BJP is not into celebrating its wins whether in Mumbai’s BMC or even in Gujarat 2022 assembly polls when everyone had expected him to lose. “We are always into analysing our results/ mistakes. Or preparing for the next polls.”

The Kollywood jungle drums are sounding for a soon to be wedding. The smoke signals are strong as it concerns two celebrity stars — Rajinikant’s ex son-in-law Dhanush and the single saucy Mrunal Thakur. Dhanush and Aishwarya Rajinikanth parted ways after 18 years of marriage. Their two grown up children — Linga and Yatra — tried their best for the parent’s reconciliation. And when Dhanush built his much-touted Rs 150 crore mansion just around the corner from Rajnikanth’s media famed “Poes Garden home”, there were strong rumours that the estranged couple would reconcile. But that was not to be. The divorce was officially granted in November 2024. Dhanush has many hits in Tamil and Hindi films, even as Director he has been appreciated ..his other skills are script writing and singing. His last film Idli Kadai which he penned did good business. Now there are strong rumours about his romantic liaisons, even marriage with Hindi star Mrunal. May be the New Year and Thai Pongal have inspired him to announce that he is ready to take a second plunge with Marathi mulgi, Mrunal who has featured in successful films …Sita Ramam, Hi Nanna and Son of Sardar. Now it just needs the green signal from the two, so fans and followers can stop holding their breath and go on their way.

From his roots in Odisha to international recognition, Ramesh Barik, Founder & MD of RR Events & Cine Production, is fast emerging as one of the state’s most influential cultural ambassadors. Widely acknowledged as a star-standard cultural diplomat of Odisha, Barik has successfully taken the art, culture, and heritage of the eastern Indian state to global platforms through visionary event production. With remarkable strategy, he has brought together Odisha’s biggest stars and presented them on prestigious international stages. In 2024, Barik achieved a major milestone by hosting a grand Five Star Awards Night in Dubai, a hugely successful event that introduced Odia cinema, music, and culture to audiences across the Middle East. In 2025, he continued this global journey with a high-profile cultural showcase in Singapore. Now, Barik is preparing for what promises to be a historic moment — a large-scale awards night in London. Industry insiders say that such an event of this magnitude, featuring nearly 40 diverse acts, has never been staged in London by any Indian regional industry. The programme will include dance, music, stand-up comedy, and cultural heritage presentations, offering the world a rare glimpse into Odisha’s rich and often underrepresented legacy. Future plans also include Australia, New Zealand, and several Far East countries. With over 25 years of experience, he has executed more than 1,800 events globally, including exhibitions, conferences, product launches, award nights, and promotional campaigns. He has produced over 24 films, 312 Odia music videos, and multiple Hindi music projects, earning numerous awards for excellence and entrepreneurship.

Rahu Ketu, directed by Vipul Garg and starring Pulkit Samrat and Varun Sharma, opened on January 16, 2026, to a muted Rs 1 crore nett across India and an overall Hindi occupancy of just 6.9%. Morning shows were weakest (around 5%), edging up to 9–10% in evening and night slots. The film lagged behind fellow comedy Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos (Rs 1.25 crore opening) and faced stiff competition from holdovers such as Dhurandhar, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, and The Raja Saab, which likely siphoned off potential viewers. Its premise was a magical notebook that brings two unlucky characters to life and sparks a chaotic chase involving a thief named Meenu Taxi and a drug mafia which created trailer interest but didn’t translate into ticket sales. Several factors help explain the weak start. The film’s broad, slapstick humour and conventional comedic tropes appear out of step with Gen Z preferences for sharper, more relatable, and often socially aware comedy; formats increasingly discovered via streaming and short-form platforms. Promotional efforts, including city tours and college visits, failed to generate viral momentum or sustained word-of-mouth necessary to pull younger audiences to theatres. The crowded release calendar, with multiple genres vying for attention, further diluted its reach, especially for a mid-budget film without major star power to anchor footfalls. Additionally, there was no clear cultural hook beyond a promising trailer to boost pre-release buzz. Economic headwinds and changing consumption habits also played a role: rising ticket prices and the convenience of home viewing make audiences more selective about theatre trips. In this environment, a light-hearted, formulaic comedy without a distinctive voice struggled to stand out—resulting in Rahu Ketu’s underwhelming opening.