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Split Averted In Maharashtra Congress For Now
Unlike the splits in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Shiv Sena, a vertical split has been averted in the Congress party for now, despite the exit of former chief minister Ashok Chavan. The exit of Chavan has failed to create a fissure in the Congress or even lead to an exodus unlike the exit of Eknath Shinde or Ajit Pawar from their respective parties. The exit of Congress leaders like Chavan, Baba Siddiqui and even Milind Deora has led to weakening of the Congress position in the ongoing seat-distribution talks within the I.N.D.I.A bloc despite holding the highest tally of 42 legislators in the Maha Vikas Aghadi; Sharad Pawar is left with 13 legislators and Uddhav Thackeray with 16 legislators. Soon after Chavan’s formal resignation, AlCC Maharashtra Congress in-charge Ramesh Chennithala launched into a damage control mode and called upon NCP supremo Sharad Pawar along with senior Congress leaders. He also led another delegation to Uddhav Thacekray to take stock of the situation. Pawar, who has been leading the charge of the I.N.D.I.A bloc, is said to have spoken to the Congress legislators and taken stock of the situation. Anjali Ambedkar, wife of Prakash Ambedkar from the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, had noted how their seat-sharing negotiators from the Congress side, be it Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil in 2019 or Ashok Chavan in 2024, had gone the BJP way. Who do we negotiate with in such a situation, she snubbed in a tweet.
Nana patole_002
MPCC President Nana Patole’s Fate Discussed As His Critics In Congress Multiply
The fate of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Nana Patole is the hot topic of discussion as he is perceived to be the main reason for the overall frustration in the state unit owing to his mercurial nature and outlandish statements, especially at wrong times. A hard core BJP activist once upon a time, Nana kept on shuttling between the Congress and the BJP, which he left after his disaccord with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s agro policies. Nana returned to the Congress and won the 2019 assembly election to become the speaker. He did not last long. Afterwards, he was appointed the state Congress president. Since then, the number of his adversaries started multiplying. The two tall Congress leaders – Milind Deora and Ashok Chavan – to leave the party in succession were grieved due to the perfunctory treatment they had been receiving for a long time. In fact, the list is long. It is led by former CM Narayan Rane, who had come from the united Shiv Sena. Former minister Baba Siddiqui, heavyweight sugar baron Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, rural firebrand Ranjitsingh Nimbalkar, former minister Harshwardhan Patil, senior most MLA Kalidas Kolambakar, influential minority leader Abdul Sattar, Hindi-speaking community’s leader Kripa Shankar Singh and powerful Satyajeet Tambe Patil are easily remembered in this connection. Of course, Patole was not at the helm but at present, those wishing his exit are increasing in number. The next week will prove a game changer in Maharashtra politics, it is felt.
Rup Roy Ghosh
Manchester-Based Lawyer Turned Filmmaker Wins Audience Choice Award For ‘The Monalisa Smile?’
While pursuing her master’s degree in law, this Manchester-based young mother of a four-year old boy did the unthinkable. Rup Ghosh Roy decided court battles were not her cup of tea but cinema is. And she took the plunge as writer-director with a documentary feature titled The Monalisa Smile? Why a question mark? This bold, brave, and hard-hitting film explores the lives of 12 South Asian women living and working in the UK. The film shot in a documentary format throws light on the problems they face daily. Rup, who received an overwhelming response from 48 women with real life stories managed finally to capture 12 unique storytellers, from a beauty queen to an online chef, to a doctor who is also an animal rights activist. The film also explores serious issues such as bullying, racism, etc. The aim of making this documentary is to create awareness, make the film relatable to women and young girls in the UK, and eventually send a message that they are not alone in their battles. Self-funded Rup uploaded her film on filmfreeway.com and entered national and international film festivals like LIFT-OFF GLOBAL, and won the Audience Choice Award and First Time Filmmaker 2023. Her first documentary has created enough waves and she is being noticed and talked about.
Ashok chavan
Ashok Chavan Has Repeated What His Father Did In 1978
Former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan’s decision to walk out of the Congress party is fraught with several major coincidences. His father, late Shankarrao (SB) Chavan, had left the Congress way back in 1978 to join a coalition government, led by his arch political foe Sharad Pawar. Now, Ashok has repeated the act by leaving the party. The second coincidence is that both became Maharashtra’s chief minister twice. While the elder Chavan was the CM for the periods 1974-77 and 1986-88, his son Ashok was appointed CM in the aftermath of the 2008 Pakistani terrorist attacks in Mumbai. After the party won the 2009 assembly election, Ashok continued in the post but was forced to resign when it was disclosed that one of his closest relatives was made a member of the infamous Adarsh Housing Society in south Mumbai. If SB Chavan chose to become a cabinet minister after relinquishing chief ministership, Ashok did the same in later years. It is a known fact that SB Chavan had few friends in the state Congress but he endeared himself to the Gandhi family after returning to the party fold in 1980 when Indira Gandhi staged a spectacular return. His fortunes continued to rise since his old friend PV Narasimha Rao became the PM. Ashok, too, had been in the good books of the Congress but its present state chief Nana Patole is said to be the reason for his decision to leave the party. 
Santrupt misra
Why Aditya Birla Group’s HR Director Santrupt Misra Joined Biju Janata Dal
When Santrupt Misra, HR Director of Aditya Birla Group quit his job after 27 years to join the Biju Janata Dal none of his close friends were surprised. Why? He had confided to them a few years ago that he wanted to return back to Odisha some day and was waiting for the right break to change his track. And that break came in 2021 when Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik appointed him as the Chairman of Ekamra Kshetra Lingaraj Temple Advisory Committee, an honorary position bestowed on him while he was still working with Birlas. The way Santrupt handled the Temple project — his foresight, strategic thinking, ability to communicate clearly and solving issues impressed Patnaik immensely. Likewise Santrupt was inspired by Patnaik’s vision, ideology and leadership style. For the uninitiated, Misra is Odia and Odisha is home state; he majored at Utkal University before taking the corporate plunge. His track record in the corporate world is impressive. He has worked with JK, TISS, Hindustan Unilever followed by the Aditya Birla Group. Incidentally, his wife Alka, chairman of the World Skill Development Council is based out of Bhubaneshwar. So it made imminent sense for Santrupt to return back to Odisha. Grapevine has it that he may be nominated to the Rajya Sabha seat or may opt for Lok Sabha seat either from Cuttack or Puri.
Article 370
‘Article 370’: Cinematic Art Or Propaganda Hype?
Two of Bollywoods beautiful and talented actors, Yami Gautam Dhar and Priyamani are unravelling the story of Article 370, which is set to hit screens on February 23.  The talk about this film, directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale, is hard to ignore, even as comparisons with The Kashmir Files, Kerala Story and Emergency fly thick and fast. It is the timing of its release that has set expectations high and may be controversial. With the election machinery already rolling in full force, a powerful medium like cinema focusing on the abrogation of Article 370 is bound to land with a sonic thud. For honing its propaganda skills in multiple ways, the BJP is often complimented for its talent to use social media and its communication bag of tricks. But what the Dravidian cavalry taught about using cinema as the quickest, and most effective touchpoint with the electorate is a many layered case study. Tamil Nadu chief ministers M Karunanidhi and MGR used this powerful medium to totally transform an electorate under the spell of Sanskritised ideology. The Dravidian evolution is parallel to its cinematic evolution as an ideal propaganda machine. But it must be said that these two powerful leaders did not stir up religious clashes. Producer Aditya Dhar at the press meet when questioned about the timing of his film as it helps the BJP said, “To win the elections, we don’t need films like mine. The Ram Mandir took shape after a 100 years’ wait. It is now a fait accompli”.
Didi_Dev
Didi Goes All Out To Retain Tollywood Superstar Dev, TMC’s Biggest Face
Trinamool Congress (TMC) found itself on sticky ground when its biggest star face MP Dev made a swan song at the last day of Parliament session. Prior to that this Tollywood superstar and two-time MP from Ghatal seat resigned from three crucial government-nominated positions, the move coming at a time when there are talks within TMC that party supremo Mamata Banerjee is keen to renominate him from his parliamentary constituency. Party insiders pointed out that Dev had been disillusioned by the allegation of misappropriation of money in his name by a section of district unit, besides his long standing differences with Sankar Dalui, a MLA of Ghatal. Soon, both Didi and party’s second-in-command Abhishek Banerjee met Dev to discuss the issue and removed Dalui from the post of district unit head. Post that Dev made a cryptic statement stating that he might want to leave politics but politics would never leave him. Officially Dev stated that it is important for him to work towards Ghatal’s Master plan which is to put an end to the recurring problem of flooding in Ghatal during monsoon. Didi promised that her government will fund the Ghatal Masterplan. It may be noted that Ghatal is under Pashchim Medinipur district which is the home turf of Opposition BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. Incidentally, in 2019, Dev defeated once close aide of Didi and former IPS officer Bharati Ghosh by over seven lakh margin. All seats of both Purba and Pashchim Medinipur districts are matters of prestige for the TMC as Adhikari is leaving no stones unturned to capture these seats.
abhishek banerjee_002
Didi Vs Nephew: Power Struggle In TMC?
Speculations are rife that the relationship between the party supremo Mamata Banerjee and her nephew and party’s general secretary, the perceived heir apparent, Abhishek Banerjee has hit rock bottom. For the past several weeks, Abhishek not only maintained a low profile, but also limited his activities to his own constituency, Diamond Harbour. He was last seen along with Didi during her ‘Sanhati Yatra’ on the day of the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony, but was conspicuous by his absence from the recent dharna by Didi against the Centre’s denial of funds to the state. However, Abhishek breaking his silence said that he is awaiting Didi’s directive to take up party work outside his constituency. He even cited that his “Nabo Jowar Yatra” ahead of the panchayat election in 2023, was under the directive of the party supremo. Although terming it to be normal, he admitted to differences (read not rift) with Mamata over certain issues such as the age of retirement of party leaders. He further made it categorical that he has no aspirations of getting into administration such as the post of chief minister of Bengal or that of Central Ministry. Political observers say that if there was a rift, Didi would not have remained silent; she would have taken strong measures like dismissing Abhishek. Mamata seems to be siding with the experienced leaders, but by not taking any action against Abhishek, she is also indicating that he has authority over the group.

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Editor’s Note: Short Post Noticed By People Who Matter

Four years have zipped by and we are crossing another milestone on 31st January 2025 – it’s our 4th Anniversary. It feels good.
Looking back at the 1460 days, I must say Short Post has made its mark with people who matter via 4000 stories published in the areas of politics, business, entertainment and sports. All made possible by the unflinching commitment and dedication of our senior editors, most of whom have been part of this journey from Day One.
Small pack, big impact is in essence the story of Short Post which was launched at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021. It shows our conviction. In all humility, I can say, we have created a new niche in the news segment space like Hindustan Unilever which created a new segment, when it launched CloseUp Gel.
Yes, we have created a brand (in a limited sense), created demand (readers) and created supply (senior journalists). But we are facing teething problems like all start-ups. What makes us happy and confident is the recognition of our efforts. For instance, we have an arrangement with the OPEN Magazine, part of the $4.5 billion Kolkata-based Sanjiv Goenka-RPG Group. This arrangement sees around 10 Short Post stories posted on OPEN Magazine website every week. This arrangement is testimony that our content has been well received! Also, I may add that the Maharashtra government has recognised Short Post and has allowed our senior editor to cover the Assembly sessions. Ditto: Odisha.
Our goal is to ensure that Short Post becomes a habit. I would like people to keep checking their smartphones to know the latest Authentic Gossip. As regards AI and the fear of it disrupting all businesses including media. On that, personally, I have no such fear as I am confident AI cannot smell news particularly Authentic Gossip. That’s the place we are well entrenched.