Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader and Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Atishi, has firmly denied allegations that she made objectionable or disrespectful remarks about Sikh Gurus, stating that she has never done so inside the House or at any point in her life.

In a detailed reply submitted on Monday to the Privileges Committee of the Delhi Assembly, Atishi rejected the charge of breach of privilege and contempt, describing the notice issued to her as vague and baseless. She said she was being asked to respond to allegations that were neither clearly defined nor supported by specific details.

Addressing the Delhi Assembly Secretary, Atishi clarified that she never used the word “Guru” during the Assembly proceedings cited in the notice. Referring to the January 15, 2026 communication, which mentions an alleged statement made on January 6, she asserted that there was no reference, mention, or allusion to Sikh Gurus during her speech or conduct on that day.

“I state with complete sincerity that I have never made any derogatory comment against Sikh Gurus in the Assembly or anywhere in my life,” she said, categorically rejecting the accusations.

Context of the January 6 proceedings

Explaining the events of January 6, Atishi said the House witnessed a heated political exchange during the discussion on the Lieutenant Governor’s address, when Minister Ravindra Indraj Singh was moving the motion of thanks. Opposition MLAs, she said, were raising slogans and demanding a discussion on pollution before the LG’s address. She maintained that the debate, though noisy, had no reference whatsoever to Sikh Gurus.

Atishi also highlighted her personal reverence for Sikh traditions, saying that respect for Sikh Gurus is deeply ingrained in her family’s values. She referred to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji as a symbol of sacrifice and human dignity, adding that she could never morally or ethically make disrespectful remarks about Sikh Gurus.

Seeks documents to respond fully

The AAP leader further stated that she never received any communication from the Speaker asking her to appear and clarify her position, contrary to what was mentioned in the notice. She pointed out that the allegations rely on broad phrases such as “disruption of proceedings” and “disturbance in the House” without specifying her exact words or actions.

Calling this a violation of the principles of natural justice, Atishi said the lack of particulars placed her in an impossible position. To submit a comprehensive and factual response, she has requested a copy of the complaint against her, the complete unedited and certified video recording of the January 6 Assembly proceedings, and any written communication from the Speaker seeking her explanation.

She said she would provide further clarification to the Privileges Committee after receiving these documents.

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Nitin Nabin was confirmed on Tuesday as the party’s new national president, replacing Jagat Prakash Nadda after an extensive internal selection process that began at the grassroots and culminated at the national level. He is set to be formally declared in the presence of the party’s top leadership at the BJP headquarters in Delhi.

The appointment of the 45-year-old leader is being seen as a clear signal of the BJP’s renewed focus on organisational strength and generational transition ahead of several crucial state elections, including those in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Uttar Pradesh, and in the run-up to the 2029 Lok Sabha polls.

Party sources have described the move as a contrast to the opposition’s leadership profile, underlining the BJP’s emphasis on younger leadership backed by organisational experience.

A leader known for coordination and discipline

Those who have worked closely with Nabin describe him as hardworking, politically curious and firmly committed to a party-first approach. He is widely seen as grounded, accessible and a leader who believes in samanvay, or coordination, within the organisation.

Sources also point out that Nabin is regarded as someone who understands the leadership’s working style and ensures collective decision-making, particularly by carrying senior leaders along. This approach is viewed as critical to maintaining stability within the party’s top ranks.

His social background is also seen as politically neutral, with party insiders noting that this has helped him work across groups without friction.

Two decades of organisational experience

Despite his relatively young age, Nitin Nabin brings nearly two decades of experience within the BJP organisation. He rose through the ranks from the party’s youth wing in Bihar and has handled several key organisational and election-related responsibilities over the years.

He is a five-time MLA, having first won from the now-defunct Patna West seat in 2006 before securing four consecutive victories from Bankipur. Nabin has also served briefly as a minister in Bihar, handling departments such as Law, Roadways and Urban Development.

Within the party organisation, he has served as national general secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha and as president of the BJP’s Bihar unit.

The Chhattisgarh factor

A major turning point in Nabin’s rise came during the 2023 Chhattisgarh Assembly elections, when he was tasked with leading the BJP’s campaign in the state. At the time, the Congress was widely perceived to be in a strong position, with several exit and opinion polls predicting a victory for the incumbent government.

Under Nabin’s leadership, the BJP secured a clear majority, a result that political observers attributed to extensive groundwork, organisational restructuring and micro-level coordination. The campaign is seen as a demonstration of his ability to deliver results in challenging political परिस्थितियाँ.

Party insiders believe this success played a decisive role in positioning Nabin for the party’s top organisational post.

Focus on future challenges

Beyond Chhattisgarh, Nabin also played a key role in the BJP’s recent political success in Delhi, where the party returned to power after nearly three decades.

All these factors culminated in Tuesday’s announcement at the BJP’s Delhi headquarters, where Nitin Nabin was named the party’s new national president in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders.

With major state elections ahead and the long-term goal of securing another Lok Sabha victory, Nabin now takes charge of steering the BJP’s organisational machinery through a crucial phase.

The contest for the Mumbai mayor’s post remains far from settled, according to leaders of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), even as the ruling Mahayuti alliance has crossed the majority mark in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

The BJP emerged as the single largest party in the BMC elections, winning 89 of the 227 wards. Its ally, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, secured 29 seats. Together, the Mahayuti alliance has 118 corporators, comfortably above the majority requirement of 114 in India’s richest civic body, which has an annual budget of over Rs 74,000 crore.

However, senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut maintained that the numbers tell only part of the story.

Uddhav Thackeray’s faction finished second with 65 wards. Raut said that when allied parties are taken into account, the UBT-led grouping stands at 108 seats, just six short of the majority.

“We are currently at 108 with the UBT, MNS, Congress and our allies. The target is 114. We are marginally short by just six seats. Just wait and watch, anything can happen in Mumbai politics,” Raut said.

Allies and numbers

Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which aligned with the Uddhav faction shortly before the polls, won six seats. The Congress, which contested in alliance with the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, secured 24 seats.

Other parties in the civic house include the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen with eight seats, the Samajwadi Party with two, the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party with three, and one seat won by the Sharad Pawar faction. The Ajit Pawar-led party is part of the ruling alliance at the state level but fought the civic elections independently.

War of words over corporators

Raut also took a sharp dig at Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, alleging that corporators from the Shinde-led Sena had been moved to luxury hotels to prevent defections.

“Our corporators are at home, living a normal life,” Raut said, adding that rival leaders were acting out of fear. He claimed that some elected representatives did not want to see a BJP mayor in Mumbai and could switch sides.

Responding to the allegations, the Shinde camp dismissed claims of poaching fears, stating that its 29 corporators-elect were attending a training workshop at a five-star hotel. Party sources said the arrangement was meant to familiarise newly elected members with organisational expectations, not to keep them confined.

With both sides trading claims and counterclaims, the battle for the Mumbai mayor’s chair appears set for intense political manoeuvring in the days ahead.