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At a recent meeting with his Union Cabinet ministers, PM Narendra Modi advised them to focus on the work of their ministries and also restrict their public comments to speaking only about their ministerial work. Many viewed Modi’s counsel as the beginning of an assessment of performance of ministers ahead of an impending cabinet reshuffle. It was seen as a signal that non-performing ministers would be dropped even as Modi 3.0 hasn’t completed a year. The moot point is when will the reshuffle take place? Will it be after the Delhi Assembly polls are held in February? Or soon after the Union Budget is presented on February 1? Since the immediate focus for the Centre will be Mahakumbh mid-January, one may well say PM Modi will choose his time. With too many parties trying to join the BJP’s bandwagon in Maharashrashtra – NCP (SP) leaders and Shiv Sena (UBT) praising CM Devendra Fadnavis — there may be pressure to induct new faces at the Centre. Which means it will not be just old allies Shiv Sena ( Eknath Shinde) and the NCP; NCP leader Praful Patel who spurned the initial MoS offer is certain to be included. The turnaround by veteran leader Sharad Pawar who met Modi along with pomegranate farmers could pave the way for a suitable role for daughter Supriya Sule. There is a buzz that there could be a reshuffle in the PMO too. Both NSA Ajit Doval and Dr PK Misra, principal secretary to the PM, could be hanging their boots. A 1968 Kerala cadre IPS officer Doval has had a very long and distinguished innings and retired in 2005. Misra, a Gujarat cadre IAS officer has worked closely with Modi and retired in 2013.
As Hrithik Roshan completes 25 years in the films, another 8 star kids are set to enter Bollywood. Starting this month are Ajay Devgn’s nephew Aaman Devgn and Raveena Tandon’s daughter Rasha Thadani who is already a social media star even before her launch in Azaad. Saif Ali Khan’s son Ibrahim has been making news for dating Shweta Tiwari’s daughter Palak even before the release of his first film. Ibrahim who has assisted Karan Johar has three films that are under production and will see his debut in this year. One cannot miss Ishq co-stars Aamir Khan and Ajay Devgn at the launch party of director Indra kumar’s son Aman whose debut film Tera Yaar Hoon Main will be directed by Milap Zaveri. Sanjay Kapoor’s daughter Shanaya Kapoor who was to be launched by Karan Johar will have to wait longer as that movie has been put on hold but she will hit the big screen in Mohanlal starrer Vrushabha. She has been doing studio rounds for the last four years. Ananya Pandey’s cousin Ahan Pandey has been waiting in the wings to be launched by YRF and hopefully it will happen this year. Veer Pahariya, grandson of veteran Congress leader Sushil Kumar Shinde will be seen in Skyforce with Akshay kumar. Last year we saw star kids in Archies which was a disaster but both Khushi Kapoor and Vedang Raina have bagged movies. Khushi will be in Loveyappa with Junaid Khan, Aamir Khan’s son who made his debut in Maharaj. For star kids getting entry into Bollywood is easy. But, how many can make it big like Hrithik, Aamir, Kajol and Ranbir?
Operation 272 MPs was launched with the flight of Opposition MPs scheduled for a BJP landing with ETA in April 2025. Sources say the earlier target 260 BJP MPs (reported by Short Post) from current strength of 241 in the Lok Sabha was rescheduled to higher benchmark following hectic parleys with aspiring Opposition MPs, particularly in Maharashtra, keenly looking for greener pastures. This has seriously dented merger plans of Maratha strongman Sharad Pawar with nephew, Ajit Pawar’s NCP. Uncle Pawar deployed womenfolk in the family to convince Ajit Pawar for a merger while making an overture to PM Modi using his reconciliatory gambit. BJP is rather keen over 2/3 of nine UBT Sena MPs, eight from SP camp jumping ship to join its party without attracting anti-defection laws besides regional party MPs from other states to reach the majority magic figure on its own. Ajit Pawar, who succumbed to emotional blackmail by the womenfolk in December 2019 and broke alliance with BJP bringing down the 76-hour long government back then, is unlikely to do a repeat. Ajit Pawar has also nixed senior party MLA Chhagan Bhujbal’s ministerial aspirations over his extra-party OBC activities. Bhujbal’s gambit to use the good offices of CM Devendra Fadnavis also came to naught with the Maha Chanakya CM politely asking him to sort out his problems with Ajit Pawar himself. The so-called NaNi (Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar) factor was always a non-starter sans JD(S) Union Ministers quitting their posts in an election year leaving RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav red-faced and worried about own political future in Bihar just like Sharad Pawar in Maharashtra.
Given the current strained relationship between India and Bangladesh, this move by CPI (M) has shocked everybody. The Kolkata-headquartered party has invited Rezwana Choudhury Bannya, the noted Rabindra Sangeet artist from Bangladesh, as a special guest to inaugurate the “Jyoti Basu Social Studies and Research Center” on January 17, the death anniversary of former chief minister of West Bengal Jyoti Basu. CPI (M) state secretary Mohammed Salim explained the significance of inviting Rezwana, emphasizing the shared heritage between West Bengal and Bangladesh rooted in the ideals of the Liberation War. He also expressed concerns over recent attempts at religious polarization, stating that the event seeks to reinforce harmony and solidarity between the two Bengals. Rezwana, who has a long-standing connection with West Bengal as a former student of Visva-Bharati and a disciple of late legendary Rabindra Sangeet singer Kanika Bandopadhyay, is expected to perform during the programme. As expected, the decision has drawn sharp criticism from the BJP. In the past too, Rezwana’s participation had sparked controversy; her planned performance at a municipal event in North 24 Parganas was cancelled following public protests against inviting a “Bangladeshi artist.” Despite the backlash, CPI (M) remains steadfast, viewing the invitation as a political statement. Within the CPI (M), the decision has sparked mixed reactions. While some members praise it as a stand against cultural narrow-mindedness, others question the party’s broader strategy regarding Bangladesh. Critics within the party argue that CPM’s perceived ambivalence toward addressing issues like the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh could further alienate Hindu voters.
Shirdi Sai Baba temple in north Maharashtra is a major pilgrimage centre for numerous devotees in India but it, too, is not impervious to political give and takes. The Shirdi temple administration’s practice of distributing free food to over 50,000 people daily has been criticised by former BJP MP Sujay Vikhe Patil. He has demanded immediate stoppage to this daily occurrence by the administration, which works under a board of trustees appointed by the state government. The food distribution has been going on for a long time. Hence, Vikhe’s timing to raise the demand has perplexed many. Vikhe has said that free food attracts a large number of beggars, many of them from around the country. The expenditure for the food distribution is met from the donations of the devotees. “Stop this practice and spend the money for sculpting the future of children, on their education,” he has asked the board. Warning of an agitation if this is not stopped forthwith, Vikhe has lamented the dismal level of academic standard imparted at an educational complex developed in Shirdi by the administration at a huge expenditure. Vikhe has also demanded concessional rates for meals served to the devotees. His views on the free food have been resented by Akshay Maharaj Bhosale, a leader of the Shiv Sena’s Dharmaveer Adhyatmic wing. The devotees thronging the temple should not be termed beggars, he has quipped. He has advised Vikhe to contact deputy CM Eknath Shinde in case the scion of one of most powerful families in the state has any problem with the Shirdi tradition.
Suddenly Kollywood is facing an existential crisis after its 2024 stocktaking. A Telugu sequel, Pushpa 2 hauled in Rs 1500 crore in just a few weeks. But Kollywood is shell shocked and stunned by the math –it trotted up Rs 1,000 crore loss in 2024. Where did it go wrong? Of 241 films released, 223 were either flops or performed badly. Even as Malayalam films faced Rs 700 crore loss, Kollywood could reap only Rs 2,000 crore. Of its repertoire, 18 films satisfied big outlays and stars … Amaran, GOAT, Meiyazhagan, Aranmanai 4 and a few more. 186 small and medium budgets like Demonte Colony 2, Romeo, Andhagan, Vaazha, Lubber Pandu and Pechi did good business on modest outlays. Tamil Film Producers Council Secretary, K Rajan said “Of the 241 films released in 2024, only 7% have brought cheer to the producers and all other stakeholders. We need quality films backed by strong scripts and stories”. Looks like the much celebrated Kollywood factory seems to be facing a creativity hiatus. Can’t blame fickle audiences and non performing cast who earn astronomical remuneration. Actually, there are many conflicting pulls…OTT, attention deficit, lack of time to watch a film unravel for 2-plus hours, and myriad other digital distractions. Time to change according to the ecosystem. Nayakan, Thalapathi, Thillana Mohanambal, Sankarabharanam, Thevar Magan and past film hits underscore the creativity of Kollywood to give gripping films. Will Kollywood reinvent itself?
Even though PM Modi has clearly spelt out that Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi will be in the CM’s chair for the next five years, yet rumour mills continue to be buzzing. And the reason for it is the undercurrent within the BJP unit in Odisha. Sources say Majhi has not kept up with BJP’s poll promises of punishing the law breakers and putting them behind bars. Also, he is yet to fill up ministerial vacancies. As a result, minor dissension is brewing with most BJP ministers/elected leaders tilting towards the Union minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan as they owe their political growth to him and not Mohan Charan Majhi. Pradhan was short-listed for CM’s post before Modi picked on Majhi. It is said that Majhi’s political support within rank and file is dwindling with 50% of leaders rooting for Dharmendra Pradhan, 25% are in the neutral zone and only 25% are in Majhi’s camp. Party sources say Pradhan’s heart is in his homeland, and he is keen to be Odisha CM someday. That said, there are no immediate crises as such for Majhi. But, the moot point is how long can Majhi carry on without support of local leaders.
Embattled minister Dhananjay Munde has generated a political logjam in Maharashtra as even while facing fresh verbal attacks day in and day out, he is refusing to resign. Munde, a confidant of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, belongs to Vanjari community, a prominent OBC section. The NCP led by Pawar is already in the dock owing to the deputy CM’s silence over the entire sordid Beed chain of events as well as his refusal to sack Munde from the Mahayuti government. In fact, symptoms of friction between the BJP and the NCP (Ajit) over the Beed lawlessness events have started coming out in the open. The reason is some reckless statements made by BJP’s MLA Suresh Dhas, elected from Ashti in Beed district. A seasoned political figure, Dhas is a Maratha, who has been talking openly against Munde and his cousin Pankaja, both cabinet ministers in the state. In one of his speeches, Dhas attacked Pawar and the home department, held by CM Devendra Fadnavis for not removing Munde. While there is silence in the BJP camp over the utterances, Ajit’s party spokesman Sooraj Chavan has warned Dhas that such outbursts can create complications for the alliance.. “Attempts to defame Ajit Dada will be met with retaliation,” he has warned, while urging Fadnavis to rein in the MLA. The atmosphere is becoming murky since both deputy CMs, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, are avoiding making any statement over the ongoing Beed developments.
Once a political powerhouse, CPI(M) is grappling with organizational crisis in Kolkata, as highlighted in the report presented at its district conference. The party now faces a stark disparity in its presence across South and North Kolkata, with the party nearly vanishing in several areas, particularly the slums. While select areas show some signs of organizational activity through fund collection, magazine sales, and event turnouts, the situation in the northern parts of the city is dire. The report describes South and North Kolkata as “two extremes” in terms of party strength. Neighborhoods with significant minority populations, such as Rajabazar, Kidderpore, and the port areas, have witnessed a sharp decline in CPM’s influence. In South Kolkata’s refugee colonies, the growing presence of the BJP further erodes the party’s traditional support base. However, the most concerning trend for the party’s district leadership is its diminished presence in slums across areas like Beleghata, Maniktala, Chetla, Ballygunge, and Park Circus. On the contrary, Trinamool Congress leaders and MLAs, such as Paresh Pal in Beleghata and Firhad Hakim in Chetla, have secured critical voter base in the slums. Efforts to revive the party’s presence through initiatives like the Slum Federation have yielded little success. A reluctance among the younger generation to engage in grassroots-level work has compounded the crisis. The party also faces significant challenges in attracting women and individuals under the age of 31. The report highlights systemic failures in promoting women within the organization contrasting sharply with the ruling Trinamool’s success. The findings underscore the deep-rooted issues facing the CPI (M) in Kolkata, from internal structural challenges to the changing political landscape dominated by the TMC and BJP.
She is cut from the same cloth. Thirty-seven year old Jamie Lever, daughter of India’s most popular and successful comedian Johnny Lever, is making waves not only in India but the world over. Jamie has carved a niche for herself with her own inimical style of mimicry and timely punch. And it shows. She has 1.7 million followers on Instagram. So much so the Indian diaspora loves this standup comedienne, actor and singer. She, like her father, has carved a distinct niche for herself. So much so The Jamie Lever Show is well received only in India and even the Indian diaspora seems to love her style of comedy. This takes her to the UK to perform in London, Manchester and Birmingham between February and March 2025. Since 2014, she has toured worldwide and done over 160 sold-out shows. Apart from her growing comedy repertoire, she is known for her comedy roles in Hindi films like Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon, Housefull 4 and Bhoot Police. She has also appeared on several leading Indian TV comedy shows. Jamie has done Masters in Marketing Communications from the University of Westminster, London did a short stint in the corporate world before becoming a full time comedienne.
Once a political powerhouse, CPI(M) is grappling with organizational crisis in Kolkata, as highlighted in the report presented at its district conference. The party now faces a stark disparity in its presence across South and North Kolkata, with the party nearly vanishing in several areas, particularly the slums. While select areas show some signs of organizational activity through fund collection, magazine sales, and event turnouts, the situation in the northern parts of the city is dire. The report describes South and North Kolkata as “two extremes” in terms of party strength. Neighborhoods with significant minority populations, such as Rajabazar, Kidderpore, and the port areas, have witnessed a sharp decline in CPM’s influence. In South Kolkata’s refugee colonies, the growing presence of the BJP further erodes the party’s traditional support base. However, the most concerning trend for the party’s district leadership is its diminished presence in slums across areas like Beleghata, Maniktala, Chetla, Ballygunge, and Park Circus. On the contrary, Trinamool Congress leaders and MLAs, such as Paresh Pal in Beleghata and Firhad Hakim in Chetla, have secured critical voter base in the slums. Efforts to revive the party’s presence through initiatives like the Slum Federation have yielded little success. A reluctance among the younger generation to engage in grassroots-level work has compounded the crisis. The party also faces significant challenges in attracting women and individuals under the age of 31. The report highlights systemic failures in promoting women within the organization contrasting sharply with the ruling Trinamool’s success. The findings underscore the deep-rooted issues facing the CPI (M) in Kolkata, from internal structural challenges to the changing political landscape dominated by the TMC and BJP.
She is cut from the same cloth. Thirty-seven year old Jamie Lever, daughter of India’s most popular and successful comedian Johnny Lever, is making waves not only in India but the world over. Jamie has carved a niche for herself with her own inimical style of mimicry and timely punch. And it shows. She has 1.7 million followers on Instagram. So much so the Indian diaspora loves this standup comedienne, actor and singer. She, like her father, has carved a distinct niche for herself. So much so The Jamie Lever Show is well received only in India and even the Indian diaspora seems to love her style of comedy. This takes her to the UK to perform in London, Manchester and Birmingham between February and March 2025. Since 2014, she has toured worldwide and done over 160 sold-out shows. Apart from her growing comedy repertoire, she is known for her comedy roles in Hindi films like Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon, Housefull 4 and Bhoot Police. She has also appeared on several leading Indian TV comedy shows. Jamie has done Masters in Marketing Communications from the University of Westminster, London did a short stint in the corporate world before becoming a full time comedienne.
After losing his 12th Test match (in Melbourne) as captain in 24 Tests, Rohit Sharma may have called time in Test cricket. There is no way the national selection committee would recall him for India’s next Test, which will be played in England in mid-June. Sharma’s exit from the fifth Test against Australia – the official version is that he chose to opt out at the pretty-as-a-picture Sydney Cricket Ground. Winning the ICC World Twenty20 in Bridgetown made the former BCCI Secretary Jay Shah say this: “On November 23, after winning 10 matches, we won hearts, but we could not win the (World) Cup. I said in Rajkot that on June 29 we will win hearts, win the Cup and hoist the flag in Barbados. And our captain hoisted it there. After this win, the upcoming ICC events — WTC final and the Champions Trophy, I am confident that our team, under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, will become champions.” In these circumstances, the selection committee could no way have removed him as captain after India’s 0-3 rout against New Zealand at home, but his 10 single-digit scores (0 to 9) in his last 16 Test innings did not help his cause and forced him out of the squad itself for the Sydney Test. Sharma has not led by example with the bat since the home series against Bangladesh in Chennai. His team was shot out for 46 by the Kiwis in the first innings in Bengaluru, lost on designer pitches in Pune and Mumbai, and the Australians choked him at Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne. And that’s that; he had to go away leaving the leadership to Jasprit Bumrah who led the bowling attack and the team to a superb win in Perth.
Industrialisation is seeing western Odisha facing serious pollution problems. The air quality index (AQI) in major towns and cities in western Odisha has worsened over the years reaching alarming levels of 300 (0–50: good; 51–100: moderate). Opposition parties have urged the BJP government headed by Mohan Charan Majhi to take strict action against those violating environment laws and put mitigating measures in place. It seems brazen dumping of industrial fly ash over the years, now risen to mountain size, by thermal plants, pollution by refractories, sponge iron units and coal mines have cumulatively contributed to air and water pollution. A few months back Vedanta Group was fined Rs 71.16cr for unauthorised dumping of fly ash. Blatant violation of environmental laws has affected the health of people and it seems the respiratory diseases are on the rise. Farmers have been constantly complaining that industrial pollution is impacting their crop but this seems to have fallen on the deaf ears of the government of the day. Suresh Pujari, heading the revenue and disaster management ministry acknowledged the risks posed by pollution and its impact on Hirakud Dam’s water. It’s a Catch-22 situation for the BJP government, it needs to create large scale employment opportunities so is giving a big push to industrialisation but pollution brings its own set of problems. So how to balance the two is a challenge.
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.