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Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole has become a stumbling block in the seat sharing talks with the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray. The simmering differences over allotment of seats in Vidarbha and in Mumbai to some extent are said to be the reason for the disagreement. “It seems Maharashtra Congress leaders are unable to take decisions in several matters. Hence we will talk with Ramesh Chennithala and Rahul Gandhi,” Sena MP Sanjay Raut said. However, the news has leaked out that the Sena will not join any talks where Patole is present. The Nationalist Congress Party led by Sharad Pawar is yet to react to the tricky development. Thus, the three-party Maha Vikas Aghadi will have to negotiate a slippery patch very cautiously to land safely in the electoral arena. Over the past few days, a series of meetings have been held by MVA to finalise the seat sharing formula for the election to be held on 20 November. The regained confidence after the Lok Sabha election’s win needs to be retained since inordinate delays in such sensitive matters can vitiate the mood of the rank and file, the Sena feels. MVA leaders till now have reached an accord on about 200 seats of the total 288. The main impediment is the seat sharing in Vidarbha, where the Congress party has an upper hand. The Sena’s claim that it sacrificed seats like Amravati and Ramtek for the Lok Sabha election in favour of the Congress is not seen to be cutting much ice. This has angered Uddhav, who is not ready to wait any longer.
Former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan is being considered by the BJP for contesting the Nanded Lok Sabha byelection. A Rajya Sabha member at present, Chavan and his father Shankarrao have been elected from Nanded repeatedly for the past six decades on Congress tickets. A father-son CM duo, the Chavan family has a close attachment with Nanded, an underdeveloped pocket of the backward Marathwada region. Both have represented Nanded in parliament and the assembly. Ashok’s wife Ameeta, was a Nanded MLA. At present, their daughter Shrijaya is in the news as the next Nanded candidate of the BJP for the assembly. While Ashok Chavan seemed ensconced comfortably in the Rajya Sabha, the unexpected death of sitting Nanded MP Vasant Chavan of the Congress has changed the political equations. Since the seat was wrested by the Congress from the BJP earlier this year, Ashok is considered the best bet to win it back. The Congress has announced the candidature of Ravindra Chavan, the son of the deceased MP. Nanded Lok Sabha constituency has a substantial Muslim population, it being an important region of the Nizam’s Hyderabad princely state. In view of this, former Aurangabad (Sambhaji Nagar) MP Imtiyaz Jaleel of AIMIM has declared his resolve to enter the fray. In case this happens, the arithmetic of the election will undergo a sea change. Whatever happens, Ashok Chavan will continue to be a member of parliament.
Black cat commandos will no longer guard VVIPs? PM Modi has decided to completely overhaul the VIP security setup in the coming months, leading to the transfer of security duties for over a dozen high-risk individuals from the National Security Guard (NSG) and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to other paramilitary forces. This exercise will cover political figures, ex-ministers, retired bureaucrats, and others. The strategy to withdraw black cats from VIP security duties has been under consideration since 2012. This is due to NSG commanders anticipating a scenario where simultaneous terrorist attacks could occur at various locations across the country, necessitating the rapid deployment of commandos in multiple directions. The plan to relieve NSG from VIP security tasks has been in the making since 2012 when NSG commanders foresaw an event where simultaneous terror attacks could be witnessed at one time on multiple centres in the country, and the commandos would have to be rushed in different directions. In January 2020, after the removal of the SPG cover for the Gandhi family, a committee of the MHA decided to withdraw NSG from VIP security tasks. The initiative was taken after the CRPF, which was assigned to Parliament security duty, was withdrawn after the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) took over the responsibility of providing overall security in Parliament. Once the CRPF takes over the VIP security, the NSG will be assigned solely with its commitment to combat terror activities. Home Minister Amit Shah has asked the officials to work on the idea of making NSG free from VIP duty. The SPG, formed in 1985, after the assassination of Indira Gandhi, exclusively guards the PM and his immediate family.
It is now turning out to be a full-blown legal face-off between the Chennai-based Tractors and Farm Equipment (TAFE) and its American partner AGCO over the ownership rights of Massey Ferguson in India. In a fresh twist to the escalating tension between the two, TAFE is understood to have got a favourable interim order from the Madras High Court. TAFE had filed a civil suit before the Madras High Court against Massey Ferguson Corporation, a subsidiary of AGCO, claiming that the said trademarks are distinctive of TAFE in India and exclusively owned by it. It had sought the Madras High Court to declare that TAFE owns the Massey Ferguson brand/trademarks in India. It had also sought interim injunctions restraining Massey Ferguson Corporation and their representatives from interfering with TAFE’s exclusive use of the MF brands/trademarks in any manner and from representing themselves as the owner/proprietor/rights holder etc of the Massey Ferguson brands / trademarks pending disposal of the suit. Both sides standing steadfastly on their stated positions, the issue is attracting considerable attention. Far from being a dispute between two partners, the imbroglio has assumed a lot of implications for cross-border investment between the two countries.
The Bitter-Sweet Cocktail, a biography of celebrated music director C Ramchandra by journalist Dilip Phansalkar is quite interesting. Ramachandra has given some exceptional songs. The author who personally knew the gorgeous movie star and singer Suraiya (1929-2004) narrates an incident while interviewing her at Krishna Mahal residence in Marine Drive, Mumbai. The year was 1954 when her just released movie Mirza Ghalib was a box-office hit. Suraiya, it seems, was approached by a publication, with a proposal that they would like to honour her with the Best Actress Award. But only if she pays a certain amount. A furious Suraiya told the gentleman “Why should I pay you for my hardwork” and showed him the door. Likewise when Suraiya signed for Duniya, she learnt that the music will be scored by C Ramachandra. Those days the talk of the town was the affair between Ramachandra and Lata Mangeshkar. Suraiya felt she would lose out on getting a singing assignment for the movie. So she approached Ramachandra and said, ’Annaji, I have no objection if Lata Mangeshkar gives my playback for all the songs in the film.” He responded, ‘No, never. The film would draw crowds at the box-office because of your name, star power and singing, not because of Lata’s voice. You must sing all the songs.’ And so I sang all the songs.”
PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah launched their national political plan while proactively handling Haryana’s assembly poll affair to elect 90 MLAs. Focussed on the anti-incumbency factor and unsure BJP’s sitting CM Manoharlal Khattar resigned in March 2024, donated worldly possessions worth Rs 1 crore to PM Relief Fund and was replaced by party’s Haryana OBC face Nayab Singh Saini. ‘Jat’ political predominance was sidestepped with emphasis on Dalit, backward communities instead, never before seen in Haryana. Saini’s eight-month tenure as CM backed several pro backward community measures culminating with his decision to encompass all crops grown in Haryana under the state sponsored MSP regime. The BJP distracted from its held election SOP and announced Saini as its CM face. Senior BJP leader Anand Vij, holding high respectability for probity in public service announced mid-poll campaign he would take leadership as Haryana CM, post elections causing Saini’s swearing in ceremony as CM postponed from October 13, 2024 to October 15 and then finally, held on October 17. BJP’s southern Haryana royalty factor: Rao Birendra Singh also needed assuaging, then said he follows party line after meeting Shah. Amit Shah, appointed by PM Modi, then busy with international challenges, ensured smooth government formation. An insider says, “Saini’s importance envisaged by PM Modi (Shah) factored the impact his community holds in Haryana and also Punjab, Delhi and Rajasthan. Shah smoothened ruffled feathers, accommodating Vij’s political growth just like another day in office. The opposition said rebel infighting within BJP delayed swearing-in but only Congress suffered, then lost elections due to infighting.”
Shocking details about the Sadhguru’s Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore have come to light through the counter filed by the Tamil Police in the Supreme Court against the stay issued for the conduct of the search operations in the center’s premises. After the Supreme Court stayed Tamil Nadu police raids, which were started following a Madras high court order, the State police was asked to file the counter. It revealed that many people who had gone to Isha Yoga Center have gone missing and the police had not been able to trace them. It also said that a cremation ground was functioning inside the Isha premises at the foothills of Velliangiri Hills in suburban Coimbatore and that the hospital there was giving expired medicines to patients who visited it with health problems. The case of the parents of two women said to be confined against their will inside the ashram was always weak considering they are adults and have said they are there of their own volition. The habeas corpus meant little after the women had explained their decision. There are, however, other reasons like missing persons, disdain for rules and regulations in terms of land under the centre’s control now through which much encroachment may have taken place that need to be probed. But who will bell the cat against a godman of considerable influence.
Surprising India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Pakistan and yet, it was purpose driven, centric to the ‘Akhand Bharat’ philosophy. Without official government assertion on this so far, the MEA Chief exploited his first speech from Pakistan highlighting advancements India registered over the last decade while Pakistan resorted to begging bowl diplomacy seeking foreign funds. India’s MEA S Jaishankar emphasized the stark difference between Bharat and Pakistan, deployed honest yet offensive diplomacy citing India’s undisputed status as defence hub of South East Asia. Contrasted with radical Islamic, state sponsored terrorist pre-dispositioned of the Pakistani military establishment, Jaishankar’s message resonated with Pakistani citizens. Jaishankar simply elucidated that China was not Pakistan’s ally but had taken over leadership position akin to an exploitative employer. The MEA boss’ emphasis on PM Modi’s 2014 ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy reference informed Pakistanis about strong bonds established between India and Afghanistan, an Islamic state, that today calls India its true friend irrespective of the $ 3 billion Indian infrastructure building there. Says a BJP leader, “The Maldivian government has come to its knees, Sri Lanka’s newly elected leftist President seeks closer ties and now, the desperate Canadian PM Justin Trudeau was soundly exposed over his false deep state narrative rant against India sans proof. Trudeau will likely face full force of negative voter sentiments by the majority of Sikh, Punjabi, Gujarati PIO citizens during his bid to hold power in Canada since Modi plays social influencer like never before witnessed global paradigm.
Now that BJP has won the Haryana election, all eyes are on Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Speculations are rife that Odisha-born Pradhan may succeed JP Nadda and take over as BJP president. This succession speculation comes at the back of Nadda who is already overburdened with two portfolios one as BJP’s caretaker President and also being Union Minister Health & Family Welfare. Besides, the BJP manifesto also clearly specifies “one man one post policy” which needs to be adhered to. Why Pradhan given that there are other veterans within the party. And for now Amit Shah is shouldering a major burden of the party. Pradhan’s name surfaced for his exemplary performance of ensuring BJP win in Haryana when it was a foregone conclusion –Exit Polls, Ground Reports — that it would be a landslide victory for Congress. But, Pradhan’s social engineering saw BJP snatching the victory from the jaws of defeat. Winning for the third time is indeed considered a rarity these days. Besides, Pradhan’s contribution to UP, Uttarakhand, Nandigram in West Bengal, Karnataka, Jharkhand,Chhattisgarh and the recent Odisha assembly election success are well known. Pradhan has a winning combination; he is considered trustworthy, has a proven track record, known to be a good negotiator and has the backing of Amit Shah. Certainly he seems like a front runner for now. But as always the casting vote lies with PM Modi.
The upcoming by-election in six constituencies of West Bengal on November 13 is set to be a pivotal moment for the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), which faces growing unrest among civil society over the RG Kar hospital incident. According to TMC insiders, the party leadership is eager to assess whether it still has the same level of public support that led to its overwhelming victory in the general elections just four months ago. These elections coincide with widespread protests in the state, particularly the ongoing hunger strike by junior doctors in Kolkata, now in its 13th day. TMC is not only focused on retaining the five seats in its strongholds—but is also eyeing Madarihat, a stronghold of BJP, as well. Party insiders say that winning the bypoll could help mitigate the anti-government sentiment and diminish the political impact of the protests, which many in the TMC argue are primarily an urban movement. Senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh indicated that the party sees this election as an opportunity to reassess its grassroots hold and signal that rural and semi-urban constituencies do not resonate with the anti-government sentiments that have surfaced in the cities. BJP spokesperson Rajarshi Lahiri is confident that RG Kar hospital will benefit his party gain ground in five of six constituencies but is less confident about Haroa, citing its Muslim-majority population vis a vis TMC. CPI(M) and Congress feel the protests’ impact are mostly Kolkata-centric.
Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole has become a stumbling block in the seat sharing talks with the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray. The simmering differences over allotment of seats in Vidarbha and in Mumbai to some extent are said to be the reason for the disagreement. “It seems Maharashtra Congress leaders are unable to take decisions in several matters. Hence we will talk with Ramesh Chennithala and Rahul Gandhi,” Sena MP Sanjay Raut said. However, the news has leaked out that the Sena will not join any talks where Patole is present. The Nationalist Congress Party led by Sharad Pawar is yet to react to the tricky development. Thus, the three-party Maha Vikas Aghadi will have to negotiate a slippery patch very cautiously to land safely in the electoral arena. Over the past few days, a series of meetings have been held by MVA to finalise the seat sharing formula for the election to be held on 20 November. The regained confidence after the Lok Sabha election’s win needs to be retained since inordinate delays in such sensitive matters can vitiate the mood of the rank and file, the Sena feels. MVA leaders till now have reached an accord on about 200 seats of the total 288. The main impediment is the seat sharing in Vidarbha, where the Congress party has an upper hand. The Sena’s claim that it sacrificed seats like Amravati and Ramtek for the Lok Sabha election in favour of the Congress is not seen to be cutting much ice. This has angered Uddhav, who is not ready to wait any longer.
Former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan is being considered by the BJP for contesting the Nanded Lok Sabha byelection. A Rajya Sabha member at present, Chavan and his father Shankarrao have been elected from Nanded repeatedly for the past six decades on Congress tickets. A father-son CM duo, the Chavan family has a close attachment with Nanded, an underdeveloped pocket of the backward Marathwada region. Both have represented Nanded in parliament and the assembly. Ashok’s wife Ameeta, was a Nanded MLA. At present, their daughter Shrijaya is in the news as the next Nanded candidate of the BJP for the assembly. While Ashok Chavan seemed ensconced comfortably in the Rajya Sabha, the unexpected death of sitting Nanded MP Vasant Chavan of the Congress has changed the political equations. Since the seat was wrested by the Congress from the BJP earlier this year, Ashok is considered the best bet to win it back. The Congress has announced the candidature of Ravindra Chavan, the son of the deceased MP. Nanded Lok Sabha constituency has a substantial Muslim population, it being an important region of the Nizam’s Hyderabad princely state. In view of this, former Aurangabad (Sambhaji Nagar) MP Imtiyaz Jaleel of AIMIM has declared his resolve to enter the fray. In case this happens, the arithmetic of the election will undergo a sea change. Whatever happens, Ashok Chavan will continue to be a member of parliament.
Black cat commandos will no longer guard VVIPs? PM Modi has decided to completely overhaul the VIP security setup in the coming months, leading to the transfer of security duties for over a dozen high-risk individuals from the National Security Guard (NSG) and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to other paramilitary forces. This exercise will cover political figures, ex-ministers, retired bureaucrats, and others. The strategy to withdraw black cats from VIP security duties has been under consideration since 2012. This is due to NSG commanders anticipating a scenario where simultaneous terrorist attacks could occur at various locations across the country, necessitating the rapid deployment of commandos in multiple directions. The plan to relieve NSG from VIP security tasks has been in the making since 2012 when NSG commanders foresaw an event where simultaneous terror attacks could be witnessed at one time on multiple centres in the country, and the commandos would have to be rushed in different directions. In January 2020, after the removal of the SPG cover for the Gandhi family, a committee of the MHA decided to withdraw NSG from VIP security tasks. The initiative was taken after the CRPF, which was assigned to Parliament security duty, was withdrawn after the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) took over the responsibility of providing overall security in Parliament. Once the CRPF takes over the VIP security, the NSG will be assigned solely with its commitment to combat terror activities. Home Minister Amit Shah has asked the officials to work on the idea of making NSG free from VIP duty. The SPG, formed in 1985, after the assassination of Indira Gandhi, exclusively guards the PM and his immediate family.
It is now turning out to be a full-blown legal face-off between the Chennai-based Tractors and Farm Equipment (TAFE) and its American partner AGCO over the ownership rights of Massey Ferguson in India. In a fresh twist to the escalating tension between the two, TAFE is understood to have got a favourable interim order from the Madras High Court. TAFE had filed a civil suit before the Madras High Court against Massey Ferguson Corporation, a subsidiary of AGCO, claiming that the said trademarks are distinctive of TAFE in India and exclusively owned by it. It had sought the Madras High Court to declare that TAFE owns the Massey Ferguson brand/trademarks in India. It had also sought interim injunctions restraining Massey Ferguson Corporation and their representatives from interfering with TAFE’s exclusive use of the MF brands/trademarks in any manner and from representing themselves as the owner/proprietor/rights holder etc of the Massey Ferguson brands / trademarks pending disposal of the suit. Both sides standing steadfastly on their stated positions, the issue is attracting considerable attention. Far from being a dispute between two partners, the imbroglio has assumed a lot of implications for cross-border investment between the two countries.
The Bitter-Sweet Cocktail, a biography of celebrated music director C Ramchandra by journalist Dilip Phansalkar is quite interesting. Ramachandra has given some exceptional songs. The author who personally knew the gorgeous movie star and singer Suraiya (1929-2004) narrates an incident while interviewing her at Krishna Mahal residence in Marine Drive, Mumbai. The year was 1954 when her just released movie Mirza Ghalib was a box-office hit. Suraiya, it seems, was approached by a publication, with a proposal that they would like to honour her with the Best Actress Award. But only if she pays a certain amount. A furious Suraiya told the gentleman “Why should I pay you for my hardwork” and showed him the door. Likewise when Suraiya signed for Duniya, she learnt that the music will be scored by C Ramachandra. Those days the talk of the town was the affair between Ramachandra and Lata Mangeshkar. Suraiya felt she would lose out on getting a singing assignment for the movie. So she approached Ramachandra and said, ’Annaji, I have no objection if Lata Mangeshkar gives my playback for all the songs in the film.” He responded, ‘No, never. The film would draw crowds at the box-office because of your name, star power and singing, not because of Lata’s voice. You must sing all the songs.’ And so I sang all the songs.”
PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah launched their national political plan while proactively handling Haryana’s assembly poll affair to elect 90 MLAs. Focussed on the anti-incumbency factor and unsure BJP’s sitting CM Manoharlal Khattar resigned in March 2024, donated worldly possessions worth Rs 1 crore to PM Relief Fund and was replaced by party’s Haryana OBC face Nayab Singh Saini. ‘Jat’ political predominance was sidestepped with emphasis on Dalit, backward communities instead, never before seen in Haryana. Saini’s eight-month tenure as CM backed several pro backward community measures culminating with his decision to encompass all crops grown in Haryana under the state sponsored MSP regime. The BJP distracted from its held election SOP and announced Saini as its CM face. Senior BJP leader Anand Vij, holding high respectability for probity in public service announced mid-poll campaign he would take leadership as Haryana CM, post elections causing Saini’s swearing in ceremony as CM postponed from October 13, 2024 to October 15 and then finally, held on October 17. BJP’s southern Haryana royalty factor: Rao Birendra Singh also needed assuaging, then said he follows party line after meeting Shah. Amit Shah, appointed by PM Modi, then busy with international challenges, ensured smooth government formation. An insider says, “Saini’s importance envisaged by PM Modi (Shah) factored the impact his community holds in Haryana and also Punjab, Delhi and Rajasthan. Shah smoothened ruffled feathers, accommodating Vij’s political growth just like another day in office. The opposition said rebel infighting within BJP delayed swearing-in but only Congress suffered, then lost elections due to infighting.”
Shocking details about the Sadhguru’s Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore have come to light through the counter filed by the Tamil Police in the Supreme Court against the stay issued for the conduct of the search operations in the center’s premises. After the Supreme Court stayed Tamil Nadu police raids, which were started following a Madras high court order, the State police was asked to file the counter. It revealed that many people who had gone to Isha Yoga Center have gone missing and the police had not been able to trace them. It also said that a cremation ground was functioning inside the Isha premises at the foothills of Velliangiri Hills in suburban Coimbatore and that the hospital there was giving expired medicines to patients who visited it with health problems. The case of the parents of two women said to be confined against their will inside the ashram was always weak considering they are adults and have said they are there of their own volition. The habeas corpus meant little after the women had explained their decision. There are, however, other reasons like missing persons, disdain for rules and regulations in terms of land under the centre’s control now through which much encroachment may have taken place that need to be probed. But who will bell the cat against a godman of considerable influence.
Surprising India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Pakistan and yet, it was purpose driven, centric to the ‘Akhand Bharat’ philosophy. Without official government assertion on this so far, the MEA Chief exploited his first speech from Pakistan highlighting advancements India registered over the last decade while Pakistan resorted to begging bowl diplomacy seeking foreign funds. India’s MEA S Jaishankar emphasized the stark difference between Bharat and Pakistan, deployed honest yet offensive diplomacy citing India’s undisputed status as defence hub of South East Asia. Contrasted with radical Islamic, state sponsored terrorist pre-dispositioned of the Pakistani military establishment, Jaishankar’s message resonated with Pakistani citizens. Jaishankar simply elucidated that China was not Pakistan’s ally but had taken over leadership position akin to an exploitative employer. The MEA boss’ emphasis on PM Modi’s 2014 ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy reference informed Pakistanis about strong bonds established between India and Afghanistan, an Islamic state, that today calls India its true friend irrespective of the $ 3 billion Indian infrastructure building there. Says a BJP leader, “The Maldivian government has come to its knees, Sri Lanka’s newly elected leftist President seeks closer ties and now, the desperate Canadian PM Justin Trudeau was soundly exposed over his false deep state narrative rant against India sans proof. Trudeau will likely face full force of negative voter sentiments by the majority of Sikh, Punjabi, Gujarati PIO citizens during his bid to hold power in Canada since Modi plays social influencer like never before witnessed global paradigm.
Now that BJP has won the Haryana election, all eyes are on Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Speculations are rife that Odisha-born Pradhan may succeed JP Nadda and take over as BJP president. This succession speculation comes at the back of Nadda who is already overburdened with two portfolios one as BJP’s caretaker President and also being Union Minister Health & Family Welfare. Besides, the BJP manifesto also clearly specifies “one man one post policy” which needs to be adhered to. Why Pradhan given that there are other veterans within the party. And for now Amit Shah is shouldering a major burden of the party. Pradhan’s name surfaced for his exemplary performance of ensuring BJP win in Haryana when it was a foregone conclusion –Exit Polls, Ground Reports — that it would be a landslide victory for Congress. But, Pradhan’s social engineering saw BJP snatching the victory from the jaws of defeat. Winning for the third time is indeed considered a rarity these days. Besides, Pradhan’s contribution to UP, Uttarakhand, Nandigram in West Bengal, Karnataka, Jharkhand,Chhattisgarh and the recent Odisha assembly election success are well known. Pradhan has a winning combination; he is considered trustworthy, has a proven track record, known to be a good negotiator and has the backing of Amit Shah. Certainly he seems like a front runner for now. But as always the casting vote lies with PM Modi.
The upcoming by-election in six constituencies of West Bengal on November 13 is set to be a pivotal moment for the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), which faces growing unrest among civil society over the RG Kar hospital incident. According to TMC insiders, the party leadership is eager to assess whether it still has the same level of public support that led to its overwhelming victory in the general elections just four months ago. These elections coincide with widespread protests in the state, particularly the ongoing hunger strike by junior doctors in Kolkata, now in its 13th day. TMC is not only focused on retaining the five seats in its strongholds—but is also eyeing Madarihat, a stronghold of BJP, as well. Party insiders say that winning the bypoll could help mitigate the anti-government sentiment and diminish the political impact of the protests, which many in the TMC argue are primarily an urban movement. Senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh indicated that the party sees this election as an opportunity to reassess its grassroots hold and signal that rural and semi-urban constituencies do not resonate with the anti-government sentiments that have surfaced in the cities. BJP spokesperson Rajarshi Lahiri is confident that RG Kar hospital will benefit his party gain ground in five of six constituencies but is less confident about Haroa, citing its Muslim-majority population vis a vis TMC. CPI(M) and Congress feel the protests’ impact are mostly Kolkata-centric.
After much tossing around, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has decided to go to polls without any face to present the picture of an united front. Post-Haryana debacle, the Congress clipped wings of its multiple strong leaders and has sent a message to its cadres to work together and not heed to the various factions at play. State Congress president Nana Patole did try to showcase himself for the top slot, but was cut to size by Delhi. Though Uddhav Thackeray has been consistently trying to project himself to be the CM face, his coalition partners are convinced that he no longer commands the strength of numbers. His bete noire, chief minister Eknath Shinde may be leading the Mahayuti alliance in the polls but there is no guarantee he will become the CM. He was apparently reminded by Amit Shah that he remains the CM only because of the BJP’s sacrifice of not claiming the seat. The BJP cadres are already upset at the BJP leadership for letting Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit Shinde’s constituency Thane, over the BJP’s own strongholds. The BJP has been struggling with constraints to retain the Maratha vote bank and fear that projecting a Brahmin leader like Devendra Fadnavis could backfire against them. Fadnavis no longer commands clout in his own party like he once did. Ajit Pawar, who was once tipped to be CM when he split from his uncle Sharad Pawar to join the ruling Mahayuti, cuts a sorry figure today and is no longer in the reckoning for the top seat.
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.