Today in Politics: Congress top brass to huddle with Kerala leaders to review 2026 poll preparedness

The Congress is the main opposition party in Kerala and is seeking to wrest power from the LDF.

The meeting with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former president Rahul Gandhi will be attended by party in-charge, state Congress chief, the Leader of the Legislative Party, MPs and other senior leaders.

Amid reports that the Congress high command is planning a revamp of the party in Kerala from the top, KPCC president K Sudhakaran on Wednesday said he will abide by any decision taken by the All India Congress Committee.

While making it clear that no one from the AICC has asked him to step down, Sudhakaran said it is up to the high command to take a decision on reorganising the party and changing the KPCC president.

PM Modi to attend Sufi music festival

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the grand Sufi music festival, Jahan-e-Khusrau 2025 on Friday in New Delhi.

“The Prime Minister has been a strong proponent of promoting the diverse art and culture of the country. In line with this, he will participate in Jahan-e-Khusrau which is an international Festival dedicated to Sufi music, poetry, and dance,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Artists from across the world will assemble at the festival to celebrate the legacy of Amir Khusrau. Organized by the Rumi Foundation, the Festival, started by renowned filmmaker and artist Muzaffar Ali in 2001, will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year and will be held from February 28 to March 2.

Patnaik may join anti-Polavaram protest

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has sought clarification from the BJP-led central government and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on the Polavaram project in Andhra Pradesh and pledged support for a mass protest against it on February 28.

According to BJD’s coordination and activities committee chairman Debi Prasad Mishra, “The affected people of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh have planned to launch a major agitation against the Polavaram project at Motu in Malkangiri district under the banner of the Polavaram Joint Coordination Committee and the BJD is a part of it.” Mishra claimed that the project would affect the tribal communities of Odisha in Malkangiri and also the inhabitants of Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh.

He said the committee invited BJD president and former CM Naveen Patnaik to attend the proposed rally at Motu on February 28. “No decision has been taken yet on Patnaik’s visit, but if he is unable to go, the BJD president will address the gathering virtually,” Mishra told PTI.

– With PTI inputs