Politics

Arvind Kejriwal, national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), urged Delhi’s voters to choose between the “Kejriwal model,” which focuses on public welfare, and the “BJP model,” where public funds benefit the rich. He accused the BJP-led central government of waiving off ₹10 lakh crore in debts for 400-500 individuals over the last five years. As the Delhi assembly elections approach, Kejriwal promised continued welfare schemes under AAP, while warning that the BJP would halt such initiatives if it came to power. The statements come amid intense political campaigning, with clashes over issues like the polluted Yamuna river and corruption allegations.

Prashant Kishor, chief of the Jan Suraaj Party, has sharply criticized Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, claiming that he is "mentally and physically exhausted" and no longer capable of leading the state. Speaking at a rally in Patna, Kishor also challenged Kumar to name his ministers and their departments without notes, offering to abandon his movement if the CM could do so. Additionally, Kishor linked the deteriorating law and order in Bihar to Kumar’s alleged mental instability. His remarks come ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, where his party is set to debut, and during a rally marking the 101st birth anniversary of former CM Karpoori Thakur, whose vision for an egalitarian society Kishor vows to uphold.

In the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, Congress finds itself at a crucial juncture. While the party has little to lose, its performance will determine its future relevance. After severing ties with its ally AAP, Congress is aggressively targeting Arvind Kejriwal, accusing his party of misgovernance and corruption. With its sights set on around 20-25 constituencies, Congress aims to reclaim its traditional voter base, particularly the Muslim community, by focusing on issues like the 2020 Delhi riots and rising service costs. The party is positioning itself as an alternative to both AAP and the BJP, hoping to capitalize on growing anti-incumbency sentiment. However, Congress’s challenge lies in effectively exposing AAP’s failures while highlighting its own governance legacy under Sheila Dikshit. The outcome of this battle could shape Congress's future in Delhi and its broader political standing.

Amid the controversy surrounding his remarks about the 'deer in Ramayana,' Arvind Kejriwal accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of having a "demonic nature" and a deep affection for Ravana. Speaking at a press conference, Kejriwal warned that if the BJP came to power, they would harm slum dwellers in Delhi. The remarks came after BJP leaders criticized Kejriwal for claiming that Ravana disguised himself as a golden deer in the epic Ramayana, leading to a political clash ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.

In his final acts before leaving office, President Joe Biden issued pardons to family members, including his brothers, James and Francis, and their spouses, citing relentless partisan attacks aimed at hurting him. He also commuted the life sentence of Leonard Peltier, an indigenous activist convicted in the 1975 deaths of two FBI agents. Additionally, Biden granted preemptive pardons to government officials, including General Mark Milley and Dr. Anthony Fauci, as well as members of the January 6th House committee, shielding them from potential retribution under the incoming Trump administration.