National News
Assembly polls: Cong steps up alliance talks; Rahul, Priyanka may visit TN soon
Chennai, Jan 8: With the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections scheduled later this year, political activity in the state has gathered pace, and the Congress party is preparing a renewed push that combines alliance negotiations with large-scale organisational mobilisation.
Senior party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are expected to visit Tamil Nadu in the coming weeks, signalling the party leadership’s renewed focus on the state ahead of the polls.
In recent months, reports have surfaced about Congress exploring the possibility of political engagement with actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
At the same time, speculation has emerged over strains within the Congress–DMK alliance, particularly following the Congress party’s poor performance in the Bihar elections.
These developments have triggered intense debate within Tamil Nadu’s political circles, with rival parties closely tracking the Congress’ strategic direction.
Against this backdrop, the Congress high command has constituted a five-member committee to hold structured discussions with the DMK leadership.
The committee is headed by Congress Tamil Nadu in charge Girish Chodankar and includes Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Selvaperunthagai and Congress Legislature Party leader Rajesh Kumar, among others.
Party sources said the panel has begun consultations aimed at addressing alliance-related issues, including coordination, seat-sharing expectations, and the Congress’ role within the ruling arrangement.
Alongside alliance talks, internal deliberations within the Congress have intensified on questions related to governance participation and political visibility. These discussions involve All India Congress Professionals and Data Analytics Department chairman Praveen Chakravarty, Congress MPs Jothimani and Manickam Tagore, and legislature party leader Rajesh Kumar.
Leaders are said to be pushing for a more defined and assertive role for Congress within the alliance framework. Since assuming charge as TNCC president, Selvaperunthagai has focused on rebuilding the party from the grassroots. According to Congress sources, around 18,500 village-level committees have been formed across Tamil Nadu.
Each committee comprises 10 members, including a chairperson, secretary, treasurer, and executive committee members, marking one of the party’s most extensive organisational exercises in recent years.
The Congress is now planning a series of mass conventions to energise this network. By the end of January, a village committee conference is proposed, with nearly two lakh grassroots executives expected to participate. In addition, the party is preparing to organise a state-level women’s conference and a fishermen’s conference in Kanyakumari.
Sources said major events are also planned in Chennai and Tiruchirappalli, with Rahul Gandhi likely to attend the village committee conference and Priyanka Gandhi expected to participate in the women’s conference, underscoring the Congress leadership’s intent to reassert its presence in Tamil Nadu politics.
Navi Mumbai: Navi Mumbai police will impose traffic restrictions on the service road near Dr. D. Y. Patil Stadium in Nerul from January 9 to January 17, 2026, to ensure security and smooth movement during the BCCI Women’s Premier League (WPL) T20 cricket matches.
According to the traffic control notification issued by the Turbhe Traffic Division, all types of vehicles will be barred from plying and parking on the service road between Bhimashankar Society and the L.P. Rickshaw Stand from 7 am to 11 pm on match days, as the route has been earmarked for the movement of players and dignitaries.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Tirupati Kakade said the restrictions are being enforced under provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act to prevent congestion and maintain law and order in the stadium vicinity during the matches.
Commuters have been advised to use the Sion–Panvel Highway, specifically the Uran Phata to L.P. Bridge stretch, as an alternative route to reach their destinations.
The restrictions will not apply to vehicles carrying essential commodities, police vehicles, fire brigade units, ambulances, government vehicles, other emergency services, and vehicles holding official passes issued by the WPL/IPL management.
Mumbai Press Exclusive News
Providing basic amenities to Mumbai is our priority, Samajwadi Party’s election manifesto released, Abu Asim Azmi claims to solve urban problems
Mumbai: The Samajwadi Party released its election manifesto for the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections at a press conference today. The party’s Maharashtra president Abu Asim Azmi presented this manifesto keeping in mind the basic problems of the people of Mumbai. Abu Asim Azmi has also promised free water supply along with basic amenities in the election manifesto. It has been promised to provide 700 liters of clean and free drinking water to every family in Mumbai daily. To raise the standard of education, it has been decided to improve the quality of municipal schools and provide scholarships and free facilities to needy students for higher education. It has also been declared necessary to arrange modern medical facilities, neighborhood clinics and free medicines in every ward of Mumbai in the medical department and health department. In addition, efforts have been made for equal employment opportunities. Creating new employment opportunities for the youth and making special projects to eliminate unemployment are also part of the election manifesto. Providing better facilities for the residents of slums, pucca houses and pothole-free roads in the city, bringing transparency in the functioning of BMC and eliminating corruption are also the main components of the election manifesto. Addressing the press conference, Abu Asim Azmi said that the Samajwadi Party is committed to the development of Mumbai and to providing its people with their fundamental rights. Our aim is not just to make promises but to make Mumbai a better and prosperous city.
National News
BMC Elections 2026: Mumbai Candidates Declare Massive Surge In Assets, Multi-Crore Wealth Revealed In Affidavits
Mumbai, Jan 08: Details of assets, profession and criminal records of selected candidates contesting the upcoming civic elections in Mumbai, as declared in their affidavits, are as follows:
Shaila Dilip Lande – Shiv Sena (Shinde), Ward 163 (Saki Naka)
Profession: Business
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2025: ₹8,18,76,134
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2017: ₹14,27,651
Criminal cases: 0
Found guilty: 0
Kamalakar Naik – Independent, Ward 169 (Kurla Nehru Nagar)
Profession: Business
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2025: ₹11,83,36,519
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2017: ₹1,92,76,226
Criminal cases: 2
Found guilty: 0
Dhanajay Pisal – Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar), Ward 111 (Kanjur Village)
Profession: Service
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2025: ₹21,82,57,202
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2019: ₹8,55,21,925
Criminal cases: 0
Found guilty: 0
Sonam Manoj Jamsutkar – Shiv Sena (UBT), Ward 210 (Mumbai Central)
Profession: Business
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2025: ₹14,38,84,259
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2017: ₹7,08,67,928
Criminal cases: 0
Found guilty: 0
Geeta Gawli – Akhil Bhartiya Sena, Ward 212 (Mahalaxmi–Umar Park)
Profession: Business
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2025: ₹7,26,92,393
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2017: ₹3,45,32,902
Criminal cases: 0
Found guilty: 0
Sana Haji Halim Khan – Shiv Sena (UBT), Ward 96 (Bandra East)
Profession: Not mentioned
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2025: ₹9,46,03,435
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2017: Not contested
Criminal cases: 0
Found guilty: 0
Nehal Shah – Independent, Ward 177 (Matunga)
Profession: Business
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2025: ₹7,04,11,095
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2017: ₹1,69,77,255
Criminal cases: 0
Found guilty: 0
Rajul Sameer Desai – BJP, Ward 56 (Goregaon)
Profession: Business
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2025: ₹24,28,81,925
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2017: ₹1,79,69,000
Criminal cases: 0
Found guilty: 0
Prabhakar Shinde – BJP, Ward 106 (Mulund)
Profession: Business
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2025: ₹17,63,01,181
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2017: ₹57,46,971
Criminal cases: 0
Found guilty: 0
Neil Somaiya – BJP, Ward 107 (Mulund)
Profession: Business
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2025: ₹9,89,21,872
Total movable and immovable assets as of 2017: ₹1,99,37,809
Criminal cases: 0
Found guilty: 0
Navi Mumbai Police Impose Traffic Restrictions Near D Y Patil Stadium During WPL 2026
Providing basic amenities to Mumbai is our priority, Samajwadi Party’s election manifesto released, Abu Asim Azmi claims to solve urban problems
BMC Elections 2026: Mumbai Candidates Declare Massive Surge In Assets, Multi-Crore Wealth Revealed In Affidavits
Major Accident On Ghodbunder Road: Multi-Vehicle Crash Near Gaimukh Disrupts Traffic Between Thane & Mira Road
Plot to shift Mumbai assets to Gujarat: Raj Thackeray in Saamana
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One more accused arrested for vandalism during Lionel Messi’s Kolkata event
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