Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday met Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari at his office in Parliament to raise issues related to road infrastructure projects passing through Kerala. The meeting combined formal discussions with lighter moments, including a humorous exchange and an unexpected food tasting session.

Kerala road projects discussed at Parliament meeting

Priyanka Gandhi, the Member of Parliament from Wayanad in Kerala, discussed six road projects that pass through the state. During the interaction, Nitin Gadkari clarified that some of these projects fall under the jurisdiction of the Kerala government and therefore cannot be directly handled by the Centre. However, he assured the Congress leader that the remaining proposals would be examined.

According to those present, the discussion remained cordial, with both sides acknowledging administrative limitations while exploring possible ways forward.

‘Bhai ka kaam ho gaya’ remark draws laughter

The meeting also saw a light-hearted moment when Gadkari referred to a recent interaction with Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. He said Rahul Gandhi had met him earlier regarding road-related concerns in Rae Bareli.

In a humorous remark, Gadkari said that if work was done for the brother but not for the sister, it could lead to complaints. The comment prompted laughter from Priyanka Gandhi and others present in the room.

Congress confident of future action in Kerala

During the conversation, Priyanka Gandhi expressed confidence about the Congress party’s prospects in the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections. She indicated that proposals currently under the purview of the Left Front government in the state would be taken forward once Congress comes to power.

Her remarks reflected political confidence while keeping the focus on infrastructure needs in Kerala.

A homemade dish adds informal touch

Apart from policy discussions, the meeting included an informal culinary moment. Nitin Gadkari had prepared a rice-based dish after learning the recipe from online videos. Visitors to his office were offered rice balls served with chutney.

Gadkari encouraged Priyanka Gandhi to taste the dish, and she, along with Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda, was seen sampling the food while continuing their conversation with the minister.

Tamil actor-turned-politician Vijay marked a significant moment in his political journey on December 18, combining a major public rally of his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) with a key promotional event for his final film Jana Nayagan. The twin developments underline his calibrated shift from cinema to full-time politics, with the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections clearly in focus.

Vijay addressed a large gathering near the Vijayamangalam toll plaza in Erode, marking his first major open rally after the Karur incident. Around 25,000 people were present at the venue, reflecting the sustained interest around his political entry and the mobilisation capacity of his fan base, now being encouraged to transition into party supporters.

Parallelly, the second single from Jana Nayagan was released online in the evening. The film, slated to hit theatres on January 9, has been announced as Vijay’s last cinematic outing before dedicating himself entirely to politics.

How Jana Nayagan fits into Vijay’s political strategy

Jana Nayagan, directed by H Vinoth, is positioned as more than just a farewell project to Vijay’s acting career. From its title, which translates to “People’s Leader”, to its narrative and music by Anirudh Ravichander, the film has been designed to mirror themes that Vijay has begun emphasising in his political speeches — governance, accountability and moral authority.

The actor has repeatedly projected himself in rallies as a leader who wants to serve the people of Tamil Nadu and raise issues affecting marginalised sections. The film’s tone appears to align with this image, aiming to present a restrained and serious persona without alienating his long-time fans.

By declaring Jana Nayagan as his final film, Vijay has attempted a gradual emotional transition for his supporters, with TVK hoping that this loyalty will convert into organisational strength and votes in the upcoming elections.

Analysts divided on electoral impact

Political analysts, however, remain cautious about the effectiveness of this approach. One analyst noted that while Vijay is clearly attempting to convert his massive fan following into party cadres, not every fan can realistically take on a political role. Another analyst pointed out that the film alone is unlikely to fetch votes, though messaging around issues such as corruption or dynastic politics could help Vijay gain some traction over time.

The analysts also flagged that Vijay is entering a crowded and competitive political space and that the impact of recent controversies has added to the challenges ahead. According to them, his current strategy appears to be aimed not only at 2026 but at building a longer-term political position.

Invoking legacy and symbolism

A recurring element in Vijay’s rallies has been his admiration for former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and actor M G Ramachandran. The second single from Jana Nayagan, titled Oru Pere Varalaaru, reinforces this aspiration, with lyrics emphasising the idea of a name that makes history and the power of the people’s voice.

While invoking MGR remains a common political trope in Tamil Nadu, analysts underline that his journey remains unmatched. They stress that sustained electoral participation and organisational strength, rather than crowd sizes at rallies, will determine Vijay’s political future.

For now, Vijay’s rally in Erode and the simultaneous promotion of Jana Nayagan highlight a carefully timed blend of cinema and politics, as he prepares to test his popularity beyond the silver screen.

Delhi’s border points witnessed strict vehicle checks on Thursday as enforcement agencies intensified action under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) following a sharp deterioration in air quality. A thick blanket of smog covered key entry points, including the Delhi-Noida Direct (DND) Flyway, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) near the Chilla border slipping to around 490, placing it in the hazardous category.

Officials from the Delhi transport department and traffic police were seen stopping vehicles registered outside the capital, particularly those that did not meet BS VI emission standards. Non-compliant vehicles were either fined Rs 20,000 or asked to turn back from the border.

According to transport department officials supervising the checks, teams are verifying vehicle compliance using portable devices that allow instant confirmation of registration details, emission norms and Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) validity. Drivers without valid PUCCs are also being penalised.

Old and non-BS VI vehicles under scanner

Barricades were placed along key routes to slow traffic and enable thorough inspection. Enforcement teams are specifically targeting vehicles that appear old or do not carry blue stickers indicating BS VI compliance. Traffic personnel from neighbouring states are also part of the joint operation at border points.

Officers said that diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years, especially those meeting BS-III or lower emission standards, are being stopped and fined as per existing rules. Authorities maintained that these measures are part of emergency steps to limit vehicular pollution during the winter peak.

Commuters voice frustration over enforcement

Some motorists expressed dissatisfaction with the sudden enforcement drive. A commuter from Faridabad, whose BS-III vehicle was stopped at the border, questioned the fairness of the checks, arguing that ordinary drivers were being penalised while larger systemic issues remained unaddressed. He also raised concerns about the lack of uniform checks on public transport vehicles.

Officials, however, said awareness about vehicular pollution norms has been repeatedly communicated and that enforcement teams have been deployed across all major entry points to prevent violators from using alternate routes to enter the city.

Vehicles a major contributor to winter pollution

Data shared by officials indicates that transport accounts for over 20% of PM2.5 pollution during winter months in Delhi-NCR. Of the nearly 2.88 crore vehicles in the region, about 93% are light motor vehicles and two-wheelers, while nearly 37% fall under BS-III or older categories. These older vehicles emit significantly higher levels of particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide compared to newer models.

Experts cited in media reports have pointed out that while vehicle restrictions may offer temporary relief, long-term solutions are necessary. Concerns have also been raised about the effectiveness of the existing PUC system, which does not adequately measure particulate emissions, and the need for stronger scrappage policies and improved public transport to address cross-border pollution.

Former transport officials have criticised what they described as last-minute enforcement measures, calling for consistent tailpipe emission checks, better inter-state coordination and the creation of a dedicated pollution control task force to tackle vehicular emissions more sustainably.