Telangana

The Tamil Nadu government faces political turbulence as Chief Minister Vijay appoints a personal astrologer as an Officer on Special Duty, drawing criticism over administrative credentials. Ahead of a crucial assembly floor test, thirty rebel AIADMK MLAs led by S.P. Velumani and C.V. Shanmugham have pledged support to the TVK-led government, officially severing ties with the BJP. During the session, Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin reiterated his controversial stance on Sanatana Dharma. Administratively, the state announced the closure of seven hundred liquor shops near schools and temples, alongside new bans on political hoardings and the creation of women's safety task forces. In Kerala, a leadership struggle for the Chief Minister post has emerged between K.C. Venugopal and V.D. Satheesan following the UDF election victory. Meanwhile, in Telangana, a POCSO case was filed against Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar's son, Bandi Sai Bhagirath. The broadcast also confirmed the return of actor Mohanlal for the third installment of the Drishyam film franchise.

The Prime Minister has urged citizens to adopt austerity measures, including reducing fuel consumption and limiting gold purchases, as escalating West Asia tensions drive global crude oil prices higher. State-owned oil firms face significant financial losses while the national currency weakens against the dollar. During a televised debate, the ruling party defended these measures as necessary for economic stability, while the opposition criticised the government for placing the burden on citizens. In Tamil Nadu, the AIADMK faces a potential split as thirty rebel lawmakers met the pro-tem speaker ahead of a crucial floor test. Meanwhile, in Telangana, a Union Minister's son has been booked under the POCSO Act for alleged sexual harassment, leading to accusations of delayed investigations. In Kerala, the national leadership has yet to finalise a Chief Minister candidate a week after election victory. Additionally, a film producer addressed censor board delays and a lead actor's political transition. These developments highlight significant political and economic shifts across India, from energy policy to regional leadership transitions.

The Supreme Court has refused to extend the transit anticipatory bail of Pawan Khera till Tuesday in a defamation case filed by the wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

A major political controversy has erupted over the proposed delimitation bill, triggering widespread protests across southern states.

The big talking point of this episode of 5 Live is the political confrontation regarding the Women's Reservation Bill ahead of a special Parliament session.

The big talking points of this episode of To the Point is the West Asia war ceasefire and the showdown between the Election Commission and Trinamool Congress.

In an exclusive interview with India Today, Sudhanshu Trivedi, BJP member of parliament and national spokesperson, said that Rahul Gandhi has become Congress' biggest weapon of mass diversion and political mass destruction.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi issued a video rebuttal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the Prime Minister's criticism of Youth Congress protests at the AI Global Summit.

Tensions flared in Karnataka's Bagalkot and Hyderabad's Ambarpet area following clashes during Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti processions.

The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka faces intense heat as the BJP alleges the illegal allotment of 24 civic amenity sites to the party at discounted rates.

The big talking point of this episode of News Today is Nikhil Gupta who pleaded to charges of murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, in connection with his efforts to murder Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York.

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday lodged a complaint at the Hyderabad City Police Commissionerate seeking action against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over a now-deleted purported video shared on social media.

A 28-year-old man allegedly murdered his six-year-old daughter to qualify for June panchayat elections in Maharashtra's Nanded district. 

This news bulletin, anchored by Nagarjun Dwarkanath, covers significant political and criminal developments across Southern India. A primary focus is the finalized alliance between the DMK and Congress for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections following high-level talks between Kanimozhi and Rahul Gandhi. In Andhra Pradesh, the CBI has submitted a final charge sheet regarding the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) ladoo ghee adulteration scam. Criminal reports include a triple murder in Chennai involving a migrant family from Bihar, resulting in five arrests. Environmental concerns in Kanyakumari are highlighted, specifically regarding rare earth element mining and coastal erosion affecting deep-sea fishermen. Additional coverage includes the Karnataka Contractors Association's strike threat over pending dues, a SIT probe involving actor Jayaram in the Sabarimala gold theft case, and food poisoning incidents in Telangana government schools. The report also notes political developments in Kerala involving Rahul Gandhi and Shashi Tharoor, providing a comprehensive overview of current regional affairs and legal proceedings.

In a concerning incident from Telangana’s Sangareddy district, 22 primary school students were hospitalised after consuming a midday meal. The students reportedly ate sambar and rice on Thursday afternoon and soon began experiencing symptoms including stomach aches and general discomfort. Following the onset of these symptoms, the children were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for medical attention. According to police officials, 'All 22 students are in a stable condition' and are expected to be discharged shortly. Authorities have taken note of the incident, which occurred at a school in the Narayankhed area. The programme highlights the immediate medical response and the current health status of the affected children, who are now recovering under observation. This report focuses on the safety of the midday meal scheme after the students fell ill immediately after consuming the food offered by the school.

On this Special Report, the focus is on the ongoing investigation into the phone tapping case in Telangana involving former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR). The BRS chief has sought a fresh date for his examination by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), stating in a written reply that he is 'unable to appear on Jan 30th as directed in the notice, as it is the last date for filing nominations to elections for 150 municipalities and seven municipal corporations.' KCR cited his preoccupation with issuing authorizations to party candidates as the reason for his absence. The case involves allegations that the previous BRS government breached the privacy of politicians, celebrities, and businessmen. While the Congress government maintains that strict action will be taken against those responsible, the BRS has dismissed the allegations as a 'time lapse' and political vendetta. The SIT, led by the Commissioner of Police, is expected to issue a new date for the former Chief Minister's statement recording.

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.

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.

In this exclusive interview, T.V. Mohandas Pai, Chairman of Aarin Capital, voices strong opposition to the new University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations aimed at addressing caste discrimination. Pai describes the norms as 'draconian, anti-constitution, anti-India and must be repealed,' arguing that they unfairly label one section of society as oppressors without sufficient data. He challenges activists to provide empirical evidence of widespread systemic subjugation in higher education, citing the All India Survey of Higher Education to suggest that student representation across communities is largely proportional to their population. Pai further highlights concerns regarding the potential misuse of these regulations for filing false cases, referencing social media reports and political statements. He advocates for a neutral legal framework where 'all students will have equal protection against caste discrimination' regardless of their background, rather than singling out specific categories. The discussion also touches upon the Rohit Vemula case and the constitutional balance between Article 14 equality and reservation policies.