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What Does A Hat-Trick For The BJP In Haryana Means?
Return of the BJP to power in Haryana, after a below par performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, is great news for the Modi government. Firstly, it sets the tone for the next round of assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. It also strengthens the Modi government and its coalition agenda. The Haryana results certainly came as a shock to the Congress which was hoping to ride on the 10-year anti-incumbency of the BJP government. But then both PM Narendra Modi and HM Amit Shah are people who never underestimate their rivals. They had recalled CM Manohar Khattar to Delhi and put a new CM Nayab Singh Saini on the eve of the polls. More than the OBC CM face, what seemed to have worked for the party was the ground work on caste groups. While the Congress relied on mainly mobilising Jat votes via its former CM Bhupinder Hooda, non-Jats rallied behind the BJP fearing a Jat backlash if Hoodas were to return to power.  Sidelining of senior Congress leader Kumari Selja by the Hoodas also gave a handle to the BJP to mobilise Dalit votes. Congress had to readmit Ashok Tanwar at eleventh hour to retrieve Dalit seats as Selja sulked.Two campaign pitches seem to have played a role in the state.  One is a speech by UP CM Yogi Adityanath who made a strong pitch for Hindu unity, referring to the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh he reminded, “Batenge to Katenge, Ek Rahenge to Nek Rahenge.” This was endorsed by PM Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. As for the Congress loss, party sources say Rahul Gandhi’s reference to Sikhs and their religious freedom in India while he was in the U.S.had put off Sikh voters. 
shreyas ishan'
Shreyas Iyer And Ishan Kishan, Still In The Dog House!
Shreyas Iyer was at the felicitation function at the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on Monday (Oct 7) evening listening to praises heaped on the Mumbai team for winning the Zal Irani Cup after 27 years. But was he a happy man? Not far from his 30th birthday, he was one among India’s leading run getters in white ball cricket and he had also established permanency in the Test team. He could well have been a middle order in the ongoing Twenty20 series against Bangladesh. His last score in the format was 53 against Australia in Bengaluru in December last. He scored 463 runs from 17 innings in 2022 and in 2023 he played only in two.  Injuries have kept him away from the game for a long time. Not playing the Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Baroda and turning up at the Kolkata Knight Riders training session during “injury time” are some of the reasons for him not being given the annual contract. He did stage a comeback for the ODI series in Sri Lanka.  He played his part in the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha and also against Rest of India in the Irani Cup. Age is on his side but his international career is uncertain. Things could change though with last season’s KKR mentor, Gautam Gambhir, becoming the head coach of the Indian team now. But Gambhir will need to convince Ajit Agarkar about Iyer’s cricketing merit for a full integration with the Indian team. The team to be picked for the four match Twenty20 series in South Africa and the India A tour to Australia can throw hints. The same can be said about Ishan Kishan.  Both are in the dog house now!
tejashwi yadav
Why Do Leaders Vandalise Their Bungalows When They Quit
Not surprised that RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has been charged with stealing important items including sofa, potted plants, air conditioners and taps, while vacating the Deputy CM’s official residence in Patna. The allegations were made by Satrudhan Kumar, personal secretary to Bihar’s present deputy CM and BJP leader, Samrat Choudhary. Tejashwi vacated the official residence on October 6. This trait of damaging public property seems to be a growing trend among leaders who lose office. It wasn’t just the BJP but even the JD(U) found that Tejashwi had taken a long time to vacate the official bungalow after ceasing to be deputy CM –JD(U)-RJD government had ended way back in January 2024 soon after CM Nitish Kumar had switched over to the NDA. Tejashwi’s act is a throwback to what happened in UP, when SP leader Akhilesh Yadav was asked to vacate his house in Lucknow after losing the assembly polls in 2017. It was a Supreme Court order that finally managed to secure his eviction a year later. Even as he moved out, Akhilesh had completely vandalised the bungalow. He claimed he had got the installations done in such a way that if he had to leave, he could take them with him. It was his taking away of the taps that had earned him the moniker “tonthi chor.” Way back in 2006, post Pramod Mahajan’s tragic exit and the death of his assistant Vivek Moitra, there were Congress leaders who eyed his 7, Safdarjung Road Bungalow. It was coveted for the fabled interior Mahajan had installed — imported tiles and fancy Jacuzzi. Unfortunately, much to their dismay the house was found to be shorn off all the magic interior during handover.
siraj bumrah
India's Selectors On Fast Bowlers Trail, Who Will Make It To Australia?
What is the BCCI’s selection committee looking close to two months before the first ball is sent down in the five-Test series against Australia?  Obviously an adequate and capable fast bowling pack to last a long local summer. The Test series will move from West to East — Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney — over a period of 47 days and there is palpable buzz with a lot of punditry already coming in the public domain. It will be the first time in 33 years that the two countries will feature in a five-Test series. India played a five-Test series in 1947-48, 1977-78 and 1991-92, but from 2003 onwards it has always been a four-Test series except in 1999-2000 when it was a three-Test series. Thanks to India’s 2-1 wins in the 2018-19 and 2020-21 series, Australia will host India for five Tests, a change that will please Cricket Australia’s media rights holders and the public who believe that the cricket season starts only on Boxing Day which is December 26. The selectors are on the lookout for a group of fast bowlers to last over eight weeks. They have Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep already. How many more will they bring into the squad? Mohammed Shami’s fitness is not known and Prasidh Krishna and Mukesh Kumar were on the tour to South Africa early this year along with allrounder Shardul Thakur.  There are a lot more bright prospects, but the selectors will be keen to find out how the new kid on the block Mayank Yadav shapes in the Twenty20 series against Bangladesh and also in South Africa.
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Is The Labour Strike At Samsung Chennai Plant Orchestrated?
In a globalised environment, business is not just about buying and selling. It is also not just about demand and supply. It is much more than all these. It’s a tool to push geo-political influence. Is there a foreign hand in the labour face-off at Samsung plant near Chennai? The Left union represented by CITU is spearheading an industrial action at the Samsung plant, demanding the recognition of its union among other things. In the midst of the face-off with the management, New Delhi has advised the Tamil Nadu Government to amicably resolve the labour imbroglio at Samsung. Post pandemic and especially in the wake of constant border skirmishes with Beijing, New Delhi has been making constant effort to pare dependence on Chinese products. Mobile devices especially of the Chinese make are sought to be controlled in the marketplace. Viewed against this backdrop, the industrial action at Samsung is viewed with more than cursory interest. And, the CITU entry into Samsung has raised considerable disquiet among the administration at different levels. Also, it coincides at a time when New Delhi is working hard to woo global investment in the wake of China plus one strategy adopted by nation states. The advisory to the State Government on Samsung assumes significance if one reads it in the context of CITU and its well-known leanings.
rajinikanth_014
Rajinikanth’s Unexpected Hospitalisation And Clouds Of Surmises
Ace Tamil film director Lokesh Kanakaraj currently directing Rajinikanth’s 171st movie Coolie, is a hunted man trying his utmost to convince the crazed Super star fans that he was in no way responsible for Thalaiva’s sudden illness. Rajini had just completed a 40-day stint for Coolie at Vizag. He was taken ill with belly pain and unease, immediately rushed to the Apollo Hospital, Chennai where a team of top cardiologists and other consultants took charge. Rajini came home after a stent was put and advised rest for three weeks. The Tamil media spelt the stent as “stunt” in their news bulletins. In any other 73-year old, it would just pass off as an age related issue and not unusual. (Rajini has a transplanted kidney and was on immune suppressants). Here we are talking of a phenomenon who reigns over a huge legion of fans who go crazy just for a glimpse. So the overwhelming vigil outside the hospital was expected, happening every time a political VIP/celebrity gets into Apollo. Not just the media but the hundreds of me too YouTubers floated opinions, prayers, surmises and misplaced criticism of the director Kanakaraj. Various theories floated around and blame was pinned on the director. With Vettaiyan set to release on October 10 and mega marketing promos needed, Rajini had much to deal with. The talk was that he was paid Rs 100 crore while Big B paid Rs 7 crore ( for guest appearance ). Vettaiyan could benefit from the huge publicity generated by Thalaiva.
amit shah_007
Amit Shah’s Mantra For Maharashtra Elections, Eyes 150 Seats For Mahayuti On 2% Vote Share Rise
Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his recent visit to Maharashtra, cemented seat sharing talks within the Mahayuti and announced BJP’s CM face. During introductory remarks at a closed-door intra-party BJP meeting Shah recognized Devendra Fadnavis as “Humare Party Ke (Maharashtra) Sarvosarvah” while introducing other state level party leaders by respective designations. Shah’s predominance over 50% of organizational work, the domain of National BJP president JP Nadda, sets to rest speculation over Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s candidature as next BJP president. Chauhan’s exemplary work in agriculture and current emphasis on Maharashtra saw the former Madhya Pradesh CM, son-in-law of Gondia in Maharashtra cosying up to deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. Shah finalized seat sharing numbers for assemblies; BJP will contest between 150-160 seats, Shiv Sena 70-80 and NCP 40-50. Second round discussions will focus on sitting MLAs within the alliance after which, second placed Lok Sabha losers from NDA will also be factored in. Shah also injected confidence in the party cadre asking, “Why are you depressed? We returned to power for a record three times not-just-withstanding INDIA Bloc but also forces from abroad who proactively used AI and funding to defeat PM Modi.” The BJP’s political strategist emphasised the need to grow the NDA vote share by a couple of percentage points in the forthcoming assembly elections bearing in mind the marginal percentage point reduction during Maha Lok Sabha polls in 48 constituencies. Shah’s gameplan also seeks MVA alliance’s vote share effectively curbed may see disgruntled MVA aspirants independently playing spoilsport come elections. Now if only, Nitin Gadkari would also toe the party line?
exit polls
Haryana & JK Exit Poll Forecasts Send Alert Signals In Maharashtra
The exit poll predictions about Haryana and Jammu-Kashmir assembly elections have sent cautionary signals to both camps in Maharashtra. While the ruling Mahayuti feels it needs to reinvigorate its cadres, the opposition-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is worried that its workers can become complacent and take the victory in the coming election for granted. Sensing the possibility of doom spreading over the BJP workforce in case the party loses on 8 October, as forecast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi injected a new spirit in the organisation during his Saturday (Oct 6) visit to Maharashtra. He blasted the Congress party like never before while highlighting the developmental work his government has initiated in the state. The party’s election strategy will be redrawn after Haryana and Jammu-Kashmir results on October 8. To capitalise on its spectacular performance in the Lok Sabha election, the MVA is determined to improve upon its parliamentary score. The Congress, the main partner, is confident of a fabulous win. Expression to this feeling by various party leaders has been worrying the other two partners – the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray and the NCP led by Sharad Pawar. Moreover, the complacency already visible among the workers will have to be ended soon by the leadership. The electioneering will start from 14 October, a day after Dussehra, as soon as candidates are announced by different parties.
naveen patnaik_014
Has Naveen Patnaik Put BJP On The Backfoot In Odisha?
Ever since he lost power in the Odisha assembly elections in 2024, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo Naveen Patnaik, age notwithstanding, has moved in aggressive mode to put BJP on the back foot. The general feeling was that BJD has lost steam and may implode over a period. BJP MLA Sanatan Bijuli openly says that “there will be no need to break BJD, it will disintegrate automatically.” Echoing Bijuli’s statement, Odisha BJP President Manmohan Samal says there are many BJD leaders waiting to join BJP. Our completion of 100 days is only a trailer. The movie is ahead. To boost confidence in his party and cadres, the former chief minister Patnaik has been extensively touring the state to strengthen the party. In the last two months he has already toured 30 districts to work out future road maps district-wise. For Patnaik, attacking BJP is the best form of defence. At the BJD’s annual Jansampark Padyatra which commenced from October 2 onward at Bhubaneswar, Naveen Patnaik taunted BJP not fulfilling its election promises. He listed several of them one by one. He asked BJP why households have not received Rs 300 units free electricity, asked the status of Rs 3,000 allowances towards SSS scheme, where is the Rs 50,000 cash voucher for every woman under the Subhadra Yojana scheme. Naveen summarised these lapses as a wakeup call for people of Odisha. Seasoned politicians say Naveen’s aggressive combat strategy towards BJP is to neutralise the negative effect of his Rajya Sabha MPs joining BJP.
stalin family
Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Elevation: Calm Before The Storm?
Immediately after his ascension to the TN throne as Deputy CM, Udhayanidhi Stalin did the mandatory optic-filled rounds of feet touching of elders in the party, seeking their blessings. He did not ignore Rajathi Ammal, his second grandmother and his aunt Kanimozhi. The usual platitudes and well-wishing congratulations were extended. But wagging tongues continued to rustle up a huge stir of debate, debunking the obvious…that all is well in Stalin’s family and Kalaignar’s extended family, that Udhayanidhi was an inch away from the top seat of TN, and that Stalin had a firm grip over Party, Government and challengers. Stalin himself had gone through this gambit when his father had to sideline an impetuous, mercurial second son MK Alagiri and choose younger son Stalin. The buzz became very real when Kanimozhi posted on her Insta juxtaposed with a photo of her late Dad, “Appa I miss you, though you are always with me “. Just the kind of wet earth needed to sprout a thousand conjectures. Senior Journalist Tamizha Tamizha Pandian in his no punches spared interview said, “After Karunanidhi, Stalin, Kanimozhi and then Udhayanidhi are in the succession line. But Stalin chose to elevate his son, missing the next in line Kanimozhi”.  Note, the deputy CM tag was conferred, but no change in portfolio –he still is Sports Minister. Kanimozhi won’t rock the palace intrigues boat, now says Pandian and adds that it may perhaps happen when Udhayanidhi steps into his father’s shoes. At that point, Kani may stake her claim… the party could split with the old guard supporting her.
sharad pawar_024
Sharad Pawar Ties BJP In Knots With His 75% ‘Quota Reservation’ Demand
By pushing for a demand to raise the state quota for reservation limit to 75 %, Sharad Pawar has put the BJP in a quandary. Acceding to this demand could prove counterproductive for the BJP against its own OBC support base. The quota for reservation has upset the BJP core constituency of the other backward classes (OBC), which is upset at the Marathas wanting a share from their reservation pie and are vehemently opposing it. The BJP, which bore the brunt of the reservation agitation in the 2024 Lok Sabha results (won 9 out of the 28 seats in Maharashtra) had granted reservations for the Maratha community, hoping to woo the significant Maratha vote bank. Getting the Maratha Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, on their side, was also part of this strategy. Yet, now far from getting the Maratha support, it finds itself struggling to wriggle out of its repercussions. The Marathas continue to be upset with the BJP, particularly with its leader Devendra Fadnavis for not ensuring a legal-proof reservation insisting that only being added in the OBC bandwagon, could help withstand legal scrutiny. The Marathas anger for being lathi-charged and rioting cases against them not being withdrawn, also continues. Manoj Jarange Patil continues to spit fire on BJP and threatens to scuttle their chances in this election.  Pawar, who himself has led Maharashtra four times as a CM, was clearly well aware of the pitfalls of yielding to reservations demands of Marathas, and managed to sidestep it during his regime. The wily Pawar seems to be having the last laugh for now.
sharad pawar_023
Sharad Pawar’s Indomitable Durability Charms All, But Not Shinde’s Sena
Veteran leader Sharad Pawar has once again shown his indomitable durability by immersing fully in the preparation for the coming Maharashtra assembly election. Busy from dawn till late in the night, Pawar has been receiving delegations and hopefuls throughout the day, besides holding strategy sessions. As usual, his team ensures that all such goings on are widely covered by the media, electronic and the print. Over the past two days, Pawar has been concentrating on the Marathwada region, once loyal to him. Presently, his NCP faction has been left with just a couple of MLAs from the backward region while half a dozen had walked out with his nephew, Ajit Pawar. Some of them have already called on the NCP founder in a bid to stage a homecoming. Similar is the scenario in Pune district, till recently under the influence of Ajit Pawar. The recent Lok Sabha rout of the NCP(Ajit) has changed the power equation for both, the uncle and the nephew. Over the past few days, many of Ajit’s followers have openly said they are seeking Sharad Pawar’s blessings for a comeback. The BJP, too, is roasted by Pawar’s magnetism. Several of its workers at different levels are desirous of switching over for a possible win. Political observers, however, are perplexed that the Sena led by chief minister Eknath Shinde has remained impervious to Pawar’s charm in this season of great political churning.

TRENDS & VIEWS

Editor’s Note: Big Punch In Small Pack

It is the Third Anniversary of Short Post and as a news media startup launched during the Covid-19 pandemic it certainly feels better than good to find ourselves where we are today. Here, I must cite the unstinted support of our seasoned contributors, all senior editors in the country, who brought a great degree of maturity and sagacity to the Short Post newsroom. But for them, our tagline “Authentic Gossip”, an Oxymoron, would not have matured viably. Our user numbers may be small but our stories have created the desired impact among people who matter — decision makers and influencers. We offer a big punch in a small pack and Short Post with its 225-word stories has been punching above its weight category. Having posted close to 3,000 stories in the last 36 months, Short Post, I feel, is an idea whose time has come.
And this is vindicated by our two marquee advertisers – IDFC FIRST Bank and ICICI Lombard. Both believed in our story and have supported us from Day one. A big thank you to both.
If you look at the media landscape – print, TV and digital — it is a mixed bag. There are job losses as some outfits have closed down while a lucky few were bailed out by large corporate houses. Yes, there is a lot of action in the digital space. However, the entry of corporate houses has raised the question of independence of news media outfits. Sadly, there are just a handful of independent media outfits in the country that are highly respected for their neutrality. At Short Post, our credo is not to take sides, prejudge issues or be biased but, informing readers of behind-the-scenes happenings. In essence, Short Post strives to be a neutral editorial platform — neither anti-establishment nor pro-establishment.
As I said last year, disruptions in the media world are moving at a fast and furious pace. Technology is playing a very big role in how content is generated and consumed. But, we are neither alarmed nor perturbed as it is all a part of the evolution process. What gives us comfort is that AI is unable to create original gossipy content. And that is the news arena where we have achieved a distinction.