Left, Right & Centre

A new report on the real number of Covid deaths co-authored by the government's former Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian among others estimates 'several millions' have died, way more than the official death count. The report, titled 'Three New Estimates of India's All-cause Excess Mortality During the Covid-19 Pandemic', says the second wave of the pandemic in India was the worst tragedy since the partition.

India saw a massive shortage of medical oxygen and hospital beds during the peak of the second Covid wave. The Centre's 'no deaths due to oxygen shortage' statement has drawn a lot of criticism from opposition parties.

Calling the Israeli military grade spyware, Pegasus, 'dangerous' and 'ferocious', West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she cannot talk to other opposition leaders now as her phone is also tapped. Dilip Ghosh, Bengal BJP Chief, tells NDTV: "It is Mamata Banerjee who uses the Pegasus software. Everyone knows they tap their own ministers. Mamata Banerjee is part of the culture of surveillance, not the BJP".

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is aiming to go national. At an annual Trinamool martyr's day speech, she spoke of khela hobe (game on) for 2024, urging the opposition to unite to oust the BJP. She also took on the Modi government directly over allegations of Pegasus phone hacking, saying she has actually bandaged her phone to prevent phone tapping. Derek O'Brien, Trinamool leader, Rajya Sabha, tells NDTV: "PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah must come to parliament and answer if the government used Pegasus or not. Opposition parties will take this up seriously in both houses along with the farmers' issue & price rise".

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called for the opposition to unite against the BJP, pointing to the 'threat' posed to democracy by what she called a 'surveillance state' in the aftermath of the Pegasus scandal. A number of opposition leaders heard her address in Delhi and other cities where it was played live on giant television screens.

The focus of the Pegasus leaks shifts to Karnataka and 'Operation Lotus' - how in the run up to the toppling of the state government, key phone numbers of the ex-Deputy Chief Minister and personal secretary of former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy were hacked. Our focus on the show: Did a Pegasus phone tap help in toppling the Karnataka government in 2019?

"For two years no answer by top people to the simple question, did you or did you not acquire Pegasus software. The cost of the software is very high. Pegasus has said we only sell to governments. There are names which fit in completely with the strategy of the government," said Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi.

The Supreme Court came down heavily on the Kerala government for relaxing anti-Covid rules for Bakrid celebrations. "Alarming state of affairs to give in to pressure tactics. Pressure hood of any manner cannot infringe upon the most precious right of life. If any untoward incident takes place due to this relaxation, the public can bring to our notice and action will be taken accordingly," it said.

Congress's top leadership has backed Navjot Singh Sidhu, appointing him the Punjab Congress Chief. This is despite several last-ditch efforts by Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and those close to him, to reach out to the Congress leadership at the eleventh hour against this decision. So, what message does this send out to Congress dissenters?

Former Union Communications Minister and Senior Congress leader Milind Deora spoke to NDTV on day two of the Pegasus hack report, explaining the cybersecurity policy first initiated by him in 2013. "Important for India to develop institutional safeguards to prevent unlawful snooping", said Mr Deora. "Those whose names have come out should allow proof to be established, file an FIR and approach the judiciary to ensure justice prevails", he said.