Rahul Gandhi publicly reaffirmed the Congress party's alliance with DMK chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, describing Stalin as a 'brother' and framing the partnership as a long-standing political bond. The statement signals Congress's intent to maintain its seat-sharing arrangement with the DMK ahead of upcoming electoral cycles in Tamil Nadu. The Congress-DMK alliance has historically been the dominant opposition bloc in Tamil Nadu state politics, with the two parties coordinating on both assembly and Lok Sabha contests. Sustaining this alliance is operationally critical for Congress, which holds limited independent electoral strength in the state and depends on DMK's organizational infrastructure and voter base to remain competitive. Rahul's public endorsement reduces near-term speculation about friction within the alliance and reinforces a unified front. Analysts will watch whether the affirmation translates into favorable seat-sharing terms for Congress in future negotiations, as the party has periodically sought a larger allocation of constituencies within the coalition framework.
India's government plans to amend the Payment and Settlement Systems Act to restore UPI merchant discount rates, ending the zero-MDR regime in place since January 2020.
India's government has introduced the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposing changes to payments regulation, income tax, and the Finance Act to attract FDI and support Make in India. The Bill's final shape will depend on parliamentary debate and committee review.
The government's Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposes to replace the blanket UPI MDR ban with a system allowing the Centre to notify which payment modes stay fee-free.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rs 5,000 crore Bhogapuram greenfield airport in Andhra Pradesh, built under a public-private partnership model. He also laid foundation stones for infrastructure projects worth nearly Rs 18,000 crore in the state, signalling a broad investment push for the region.
