Daily Briefing: I-T freezes Cong’s bank accounts, farmers demand Swaminathan panel recommendations, Love Storiyaan review, and more

1) A political row erupted on Friday with the Congress party announcing that its bank accounts had been frozen by the Income Tax department in connection with a dispute over a tax demand of Rs 210 crore. Soon after, senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha appeared before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) to argue against the I-T’s decision. Here’s our interview with him.

2) Just days after the Supreme Court struck down the electoral bonds scheme as “unconstitutional,” the sources in the government revealed to The Indian Express that the Centre is unlikely to contest the landmark verdict. The government is neither considering filing a review petition nor issuing an ordinance to put in a new funding system, sources informed.

3) Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assertion of India seeking to be a “Vishwaguru,” his quiet diplomacy in Qatar freeing eight Navy veterans this week, and the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, illustrate his power at its peak both at home and abroad. Given his popularity, PM Modi has the space to ensure that an already polarised polity doesn’t open new fault lines along geographic lines.

4) The protesting farmers, in their demands, have sought legal guarantee for MSP, and the determination of crop prices as per the recommendations of the Dr Swaminathan Commission. We explain what these panel recommendations are, what they say on MSP, and why it is important.

5) Confused about what to watch this weekend? Here’s Shubhra Gupta’s review of Karan Johar’s web series Love Storiyaan which “celebrates the joys of real-life romantic diversity.” “You look at the faces of these lovers, who have fought the hard fight, and have made a home together in the face of tremendous odds, and you break into a smile. Haan, yehi pyaar hai,” Gupta writes.

Until next time,
Ariba

Business As Usual by E P Unny