National News
Will retire if proved I met Yediyurappa secretly: Siddaramaiah
Karnataka opposition leader Siddaramaiah has thrown a challenge that if it is proved that he had met former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa secretly, he will retire from active politics.
“Last time I had met Yediyurappa was on his birthday. I have not met him since then. If former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy proves that I met BSY, I will retire from politics. It is Kumaraswamy who meets BSY regularly,” Siddaramaiah said on Wednesday night. Reacting to Congress leaders calling party President D.K. Shivakumar a collection agent, Siddaramaiah maintained that it is not possible.
“Kumaraswamy is raking up issues unnecessarily. He is falsely linking IT raids conducted on Yediyurappa’s aides to me. He is targeting me as he is feeling threatened. I have seen many people like him in my political career. Kumaraswamy has entered politics much recently. I do not need lessons from him,” he stated.
“Yediyurappa is a former CM – there is BJP government at the Centre and Amit Shah is the home minister – I am the leader of Opposition in Karnataka. Will Narendra Modi listen to me to raid the aides of BSY? I can only laugh at this joke,” Siddaramaiah explained replying to the charges of Kumaraswamy.
Kumaraswamy had said that IT raids are being carried out as Yediyurappa met Siddaramaiah secretly to plan to weaken BJP in the state. He also charged that because Siddaramaiah wanted the post of opposition leader, he made the coalition government of JD(S) and Congress collapse, allowing BJP to attain power. Kumaraswamy had also used the slang word ‘putagosi’ (loincloth, often used to say useless) to describe the post of Opposition Leader.
“Kumaraswamy has insulted the Constitution of India by insulting the position of Leader of Opposition. Is this the respect a former Chief Minister gives to a constitutional position? Even his father H.D. Devegowda had served as Leader of Opposition when Devaraj Urs was Chief Minister,” he said.
He further said, “Out of 17 MLAs who defected to the BJP, 3 were from JD(S). Did I send them too? Also when he addressed during the vote of the no-confidence motion, he blamed Yediyurappa for Operation Kamala and alleged that BJP lured MLAs by offering money and position. Why did he not take my name then? I would have replied in the assembly only,” Siddaramaiah questioned.
“At a time when the coalition government was about to lose majority, Kumaraswamy was sitting in America. What was the need for that? I called him to come back at the earliest but he stayed there for 9 days,” he said.
“Can CM run a government from West End hotel? Can he run the administration without meeting MLAs, Ministers and Officers? This was the reason for the government’s fall. I am tired of repeating the same thing. I will not answer such allegations again,” he said.
“I have never compromised on my ideology or principles for political benefits. It was Kumaraswamy who withdrew support to the Dharam Singh government in 2005 and joined hands with BJP to become CM. Was that done for the power or to practice asceticism?,” he questioned.
Crime
Mumbai Crime: Undertrial Prisoner Assaults Policeman Inside Arthur Road Jail, Case Registered

Mumbai: A shocking incident has come to light from Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail, where an undertrial prisoner allegedly assaulted a police constable on duty.
The accused, Lokendra Uday Singh Rawat (35), is reported to have headbutted Police Constable Hani Baburao Wagh (30), causing injuries to his nose, and also abused and pushed other on-duty police personnel. A case has been registered in this connection at the N. M. Joshi Marg police station.
According to the FIR, the complainant, Police Constable Wagh, is attached to Armed Police Division–2, Tardeo. On January 27, he reported for his 24-hour day-duty shift at Arthur Road Jail at around 8 am and was assigned security duty at the main entrance of the prison.
At around 9 pm, Armed Police Constables Suresh Sandu Mali and Sachin Chavan brought undertrial Lokendra Rawat back to the jail after producing him before the Dindoshi Court. Rawat allegedly appeared agitated and, after entering the jail premises, sat near the gate and began verbally abusing the police personnel on duty.
Constable Wagh asked Rawat to calm down and refrain from using abusive language. However, Rawat allegedly became more aggressive and continued shouting abuses. When Wagh approached him again to pacify the situation, Rawat suddenly headbutted him on the nose with force.
As a result, Constable Wagh sustained injuries and started bleeding. Fellow constables Sachin Chavan and Suresh Mali immediately intervened, restrained the accused, and informed the on-duty prison authorities about the incident. Rawat was subsequently sent for medical examination to Sir J.J. Hospital.
After receiving medical treatment, the injured constable lodged a formal complaint on January 28 at the N. M. Joshi Marg police station. Based on the complaint, police have registered a case against the undertrial under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigation is ongoing.
Business
JCRA assigns landmark ratings to Adani Ports, Adani Green and Adani Energy Solutions

Ahmedabad, Jan 30: In a significant milestone for the Adani Group’s global credit journey, Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCRA) has initiated ratings of three Portfolio companies — Adani Ports and SEZ (APSEZ), Adani Green Energy Ltd. (AGEL) and Adani Energy Solutions Ltd. (AESL) — assigning long-term foreign currency credit ratings with a ‘Stable’ outlook to all three companies, it was announced on Friday.
Japan’s leading rating agency assigned Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ) a A- (Stable) rating, representing a rare breach of the sovereign threshold by an Indian corporate by an international rating agency.
Moreover, Adani Green Energy Ltd. (AGEL) and Adani Energy Solutions Ltd. (AESL) have each been rated BBB+ (Stable). These ratings are at par with India’s sovereign rating of BBB+.
“These landmark ratings reflect the Adani Group’s commitment to disciplined financial management, strengthening balance sheet fundamentals, and world-class execution across our diversified infrastructure platform,” said Jugeshinder Singh, Group CFO, Adani Group.
“They reaffirm the depth and resilience of our business model and reflect the confidence global lenders, institutional investors, and capital markets place in our long-term strategy. This endorsement further strengthens our position as a leading partner in India’s infrastructure buildout and reinforces our commitment to delivering sustainable, high-quality growth,” Singh added.
Adani Ports’ strong rating underlines its strong credit profile, diversified asset base, and resilient cash-flow generation, and places it among a select group of Indian infrastructure companies to achieve an above-sovereign rating from a leading international rating agency.
The ratings also mark one of the first instances of Indian infrastructure platforms being assessed by JCRA at these levels, highlighting the Adani Group’s growing engagement with global rating agencies and its increasing alignment with international credit benchmarks.
APSEZ’s creditworthiness is at par with its subsidiary group, said the ratings agency, citing its superior infrastructure capabilities, consistently strong profitability, stable long-term cash flows, and prudent financial management — positioning the company above India’s sovereign foreign-currency rating, though capped by the country ceiling.
It continues to reinforce its leadership through a diversified portfolio of 15 domestic and 4 international ports, handling nearly 30 per cent of India’s cargo and 50 per cent of container volumes, supported by a comprehensive four-segment integrated logistics platform spanning ports, SEZs, logistics, and marine services.
Adani Ports delivered rapid EBITDA expansion — from Rs 7,566 crore in FY20 to Rs 19,025 crore in FY25, and Rs 11,046 crore in H1 FY26 — while maintaining a conservative 1.8x net-debt-to-EBITDA, long-tenor funding structure, and strong liquidity position.
On the other hand, AESL continues to strengthen India’s energy backbone through rapid expansion in transmission, distribution, smart metering, and cooling solutions — backed by stable, regulated cash flows and strong governance that support its consolidated credit profile, said the ratings agency.
“With a fast-growing network of 26,705 ckm of transmission lines, 97,236 MVA capacity, award-winning distribution reliability, and a rapidly expanding 7.37 million-meter smart metering portfolio, AESL is delivering far superior growth to the sector and redefining benchmarks in efficiency, customer service, and operational performance,” it noted.
With over 16.7 GW of operational capacity as of September 2025 and more than 90 per cent of EBITDA generated from renewables, AGEL has rapidly expanded from just 2.5 GW in FY20 — supported by best-in-class development, superior plant load factors, cost efficiency, and advanced ENOC-driven operations.
“EBITDA growth from Rs 1,855 crore (FY20) to Rs 10,532 crore (FY25) and Rs 6,324 crore in H1 FY26, coupled with improved equity levels, diversified global funding access, and extended 9.4-year average debt maturity, positions AGEL to sustain its ambitious growth pipeline while maintaining financial stability,” said JCRA.
National News
Mumbaikars! The Iconic Flower Festival Is Almost Here At Byculla Zoo, Get Ready To Immerse Yourself in Colours

Mumbai: As Mumbai prepares to welcome early signs of spring, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Tree Authority are set to host the Mumbai Flower Show 2026, a three-day floral celebration at the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo (Byculla Zoo) from February 6 to 8.
The flower show promises to turn the historic botanical garden into a vibrant canvas of colours, fragrances and greenery. Entry to the festival is free, making it easily accessible for families, students, senior citizens and nature lovers across the city.
The exhibition will feature around 5,000 plants, including a wide variety of flowering plants, fruit-bearing trees and medicinal species. One of the key attractions this year will be the display of 13 national symbols recreated through floral arrangements, adding both visual appeal and educational value to the event.
Adding to the experience, stalls offering gardening tools, plants, fertilisers and related supplies will be set up, catering to gardening enthusiasts as well as those looking to begin their green journey. For citizens interested in hands-on learning, gardening workshops will be conducted on all three days, with a participation fee of Rs 1,000.
The arrangements for the flower show are being overseen by Deputy Commissioner (Parks) Chanda Jadhav and Parks Superintendent Jitendra Pardeshi, ensuring smooth coordination and upkeep throughout the event.
With Mumbai slowly transitioning into warmer days, the flower show offers a calm, nature-filled retreat right in the heart of the city. The BMC has invited Mumbaikars to step into this floral haven, unwind amid lush surroundings, and reconnect with nature during the three-day celebration.
The flower festival has, over the years, grown into a much-awaited annual event for the city. Last year’s edition saw large crowds at the Byculla zoo, with visitors drawn to colourful floral installations and creative displays themed around India’s national symbols. The vibrant arrangements and lush settings had turned the botanical garden into a visual treat, making the festival a popular weekend outing for families and nature enthusiasts alike.
-
Crime3 years agoClass 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra1 year agoMumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra1 year agoMumbai To Go Toll-Free Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
-
Maharashtra1 year agoFalse photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
National News1 year agoMinistry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Maharashtra1 year agoMaharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News1 year agoJ&K: 4 Jawans Killed, 28 Injured After Bus Carrying BSF Personnel For Poll Duty Falls Into Gorge In Budgam; Terrifying Visuals Surface
-
Crime1 year agoBaba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report
