Political observers are seeing a discernible shift in the articulation and positioning of Abhishek Banerjee, general secretary of Trinamool Congress (TMC). Over the past four months, his speeches, decisions, literary references and historical analogies have echoed themes associated with the Left, prompting critics to describe the emergence of a “Bamcharitmanas,” or Left-leaning narrative. The shift first drew attention last November when two women from South 24 Parganas entered into a same-sex marriage. They were felicitated at an event organised by Trinamool MP Bapi Halder. Abhishek congratulated the couple for challenging social orthodoxy. Recently, a senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, a member of LGBTQ, thanked Abhishek after being nominated to the Rajya Sabha. More. He posted a poem on social media invoking resistance against state power, language historically associated with Left and ultra-Left literature. In Parliament, he concluded his Budget speech by quoting poet Nabarun Bhattacharya, whose work is emblematic of protest politics in Bengal. At a press conference targeting the Election Commission, he referred to the Battle of Stalingrad, often cited by Left forces as a defining victory over fascism. On an earlier occasion he had quoted composer Salil Chowdhury: “Pathe ebar namo sathi, pathei hobe e path chena” which is known to be a Left Revolution call. Analysts feel Abhishek’s shift is very much in line with chief minister Mamata Banerjee, whose rise drew support from Left-leaning individuals disillusioned with the CPI(M).  Since 2006, several former Left leaders and cultural figures have joined Trinamool. However, the CPI(ML) Liberation has criticised the approach as “cultural appropriation”. Some argue the party is seeking to reclaim Left voters who shifted to the BJP.

Sanju Samson has been the talk of the town in the past few weeks; for a number of reasons. Cutting his teeth in a big way in the IPL for Rajasthan Royals, he promised a lot for the men in blue team. That he has not been able to establish permanency in the team, 11 years after making his debut, has baffled the watchers of the game. Challengers emerged, one by one, after Mahendra Singh Dhoni bid adieu. Rishabh Pant was the main one. He was part of the squad that won the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies in 2024, but he did not get a game. Fate appears to be scripting the same tale with him sidelined again in the home World Cup, but a twist happens and Samson has become an Atlas ready to take on the heavy burden. That’s what he proved against the West Indies in the Super8 scrap at the Eden Gardens. His unconquered 97 was a single-handed effort that steered India past the troubled waters and finally the finishing line for the tournament semi-final place at the Wankhede. Samson’s blows were of the knockout types, a spell binder to the fans at the City of Joy venue and those watching action on the small screen. Samson was dropped for the opening match against the USA, replaced the ailing Abhishek Sharma against Namibia, but forced his way back as the team reverted to the left-right combination at the top and kept the right-hand finger spinner away in the first 36-ball power play. Samson blasted away to glory at the Eden and the man from the god’s own country, Keralam, took the centre stage. Hopefully he will continue in the same vein!

At a time, when the AICC is seen persuading Congress allies such as the DMK to part with second Rajya Sabha seat in Tamil Nadu or prevail upon the UBT (Sena) in Maharashtra for its support, it is being said the Congress leadership was completely unaware about its ability to win  two Rajya Sabha seats on its own  from the southern state of Telangana. It is learnt that Congress top brass was being misled to believe that the party with support of 67 MLAs (plus support of 10 defected BRS MLAs) in a house of 119 MLAs could win only one Rajya Sabha seat. It was hinted to those handling Congress affairs in the state, that the second seat may swing in the party’s favour only with help of manipulative skills of chief minister Revanth Reddy. But then does the second Rajya Sabha seat really require CM Reddy’s intervention? Or has the CM’s Office built up “scenario of problems” about securing the second seat in the state only to ensure that CM’s favourite candidate — his adviser Vem Narender Reddy — clinches it. A senior Telangana Congress leader said “With an effective strength of 77 MLAs, the Congress would be able to easily win two seats. This even with BRS entering the fray. BRS is reduced to 27 MLAs after defections.” So even if AIMIM with seven MLAs backs the BRS candidate, will the BJP with eight MLAs join hands or abstain? Lot of hope is being pinned on abstentions by the BJP and AIMIM who don’t have much stake in the polls. It is being said a final call on the candidate for the second seat will be taken after Rahul Gandhi’s visit on March 2. For the first seat the candidate is the Supreme Court advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

In West Bengal’s political theatre, chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s latest Rajya Sabha nominations signal calibrated messaging. The elevation of former Kolkata Police commissioner Rajeev Kumar, former BJP leader-turned-TMC minister Babul Supriyo, actor Koel Mallick and senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy blends loyalty, optics, accommodation and ideology. Recently retired IPS officer Rajeev Kumar’s nomination is the most politically charged. Central to the Saradha chit fund investigation, he became a symbol of the state-versus-Centre standoff when CBI officers reached his residence, prompting Didi’s dharna in his defence. He was recently seen with Banerjee at the I-PAC office during an ED raid, reinforcing perceptions of proximity. If Kumar’s elevation signals loyalty and confrontation, Babul Supriyo’s move reflects internal management. It became clear he would not contest the upcoming Assembly election from Ballygunge. Though reportedly offered Asansol South, he is said to have had reservations. Supriyo has indicated plans to refocus on his music career. A Rajya Sabha seat preserves stature and visibility without constituency pressures, balancing politics and personal priorities. Koel Mallick’s nomination is symbolic. A leading Tollywood actor, daughter of Ranjit Mallick and married to producer Nispal Rane of Surinder Films, she belongs to a film family seen as close to Banerjee. A recent meeting between Abhishek Banerjee and Ranjit Mallick strengthened perceptions of continued engagement with the film fraternity. Menaka Guruswamy adds an ideological dimension. Known for her role in the 2016 constitutional challenge leading to Supreme Court recognition of LGBTQ+ rights, she also represented Banerjee in the I-PAC case. Openly gay and partnered with Arundhati Katju, she represents liberal constitutionalism. Her induction signals inclusivity and LGBTQ+ outreach, positioning the party within a progressive national discourse amid deepening polarisation.

Sangeeta Vijay just proved that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. And scorned she is…especially when she alleges that her high profile actor husband Vijay not only shares screen space with a top heroine but strays into extra marital space too. What gives credence to Sangeeta’s allegation? The super successful Tamil hit Gilli is said to have sparked the closeness of the duo –Vijay and Trisha. In her divorce petition filed in the Chengalpet Family Court, she has exposed many squirm worthy titbits, a Disneyland of Voyeuristic activity…that Vijay and his paramour used to travel together, that she put many such together-photos on social media. But a smouldering Sangeeta claims she did not like to bring it in the open during a crucial time for Vijay. And he for his part could sense the volcano would erupt anytime…so he himself suggested to Sangeeta to agree for a mutual divorce. Something triggered the fuse …The ‘Patni’ saw ‘Who’ go up in the Panaiyur Mansion lift to her Pati’s room with her pet poodle. This must have been the tilting point. Sangeeta claims her children Joseph Sanjay and Divya Sasha suffered much shame and emotional trauma. The clairvoyants and compulsive voyeurs have another take — that the DMK has instigated the wife to openly disclose Vijay’s extramarital capers. A well-educated and wealthy wife like Sangeeta does not need any such outside help. She is quite capable especially when Vijay suggested Rs 15 crore as settlement against her demand for Rs 50 crore. The election fray and front are ready to throw every shortcoming at Vijay…Karur stampede, Jana Nayagan fiasco and now Sangeeta’s public allegations are sure to make a potent lethal strike at his popularity. Is it Vijay’s Rahu Kaal (bad period)?

Veteran leader Sharad Pawar is facing an unprecedented embarrassing situation in his 57-year long political innings. Never having lost a single election, Pawar was tacitly acknowledged across Maharashtra’s political spectrum as the controlling pivot in deciding which candidate will win which election, till a decade ago. Unfortunately for him, the end of his Rajya Sabha term on 2 April is enveloped into suspense about his returning to Parliament. The present party statistics in Maharashtra assembly makes it clear that the combined Opposition, the so-called INDIA Bloc, can elect just one candidate to the Rajya Sabha, only if there is no cross-voting. Once upon a time, Pawar was the master of such manipulations. But now, he will have to depend upon the Shiv Sena faction led by Uddhav Thackeray and the Congress party to secure the required 38 votes in the 288-member lower house. The wish has been questioned following Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Varun Sardesai’s unambiguous assertion that his party will not give up its claim for the seat, Pawar or no Pawar in the ring. Varun is extremely close to Uddhav and his son Aaditya Thackeray. Hence his rigid stand has sent warning signals in the INDIA camp as the Congress party, too, has been unable to declare its support of Pawar. Against this backdrop, Aaditya’s absence from two successive INDIA meetings to discuss the issue is considered vocal enough. All in all, Pawar is made an unwilling player in the power struggle.

The untimely death of Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar in an aeroplane crash last month has raised several serious questions but the reticence of his wife, new deputy CM Sunetra Pawar, has also become a matter of curiosity. On the one hand, her nephew and NCP(SP) MLA Rohit Pawar has been holding a press conference daily to share his doubts about the mishap or crashing into police stations in an unsuccessful bid to register a FIR about the tragedy. On the other hand, leaders like Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray have jumped into the raging controversy, demanding answers to their questions. The matter has attained another level of gravity since Rohit has called on chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to request a thorough probe. He said the CM will hopefully urge Union home minister Amit Shah to investigate the matter. Despite such momentous developments, no family members of Sunetra have said a word, either about the loss of the patriarch. The intensity with which Rohit has been issuing warnings to top leaders of the NCP(Ajit) about the respect they should show towards his aunt has also surprised many. It is felt that Rohit’s targets are topmost NCP(Ajit) leaders, Praful Patel and Sunit Tatkare, both confidants of the deceased leader. They are running the party presently. However, there is also speculation over the fact that neither the Congress nor the Sena (UBT) have pursued the stand taken by Rohit, who has threatened another sensational disclosure soon.

In an somewhat unexpected twist in Tamil Nadu politics,  O Panneerselvam or OPS as he is popularly known, the three-time AIADMK chief minister who was chosen by the late J Jayalalithaa twice to stand in  for her when she had to quit the top post due to corruption cases, joined the ruling DMK in the presence chief minister M K Stalin. Panneerselvam’s (75) decision to join the DMK comes after much dithering. He had been trying to persuade the DMK leadership in his two rounds of meeting with the DMK brass to enter into a seat-sharing alliance with him. He was seeking help to remain afloat as a separate political entity. It is only when CM Stalin made it clear that OPS and his supporters didn’t have much choice but only to join the DMK, that the AIADMK leader zeroed in on the last-ditch option. Political analysts in Chennai say OPS ran out of luck when his efforts to rejoin the AIADMK with the help of the BJP failed. The AIADMK under Edappadi K Palaniswami gave its go-ahead to induct OPS into the NDA but refused to re-induct him into the party. Thereafter, it is being said OPS had even turned to actor Vijay, the TVK chief and sought an electoral alliance with him. “It is only when Vijay refused to have a tie-up with OPS, that he chose to walk into the DMK. The ruling party which has been a long-time rival, is going to be a death knell for him. He will become irrelevant there,” said a Congress leader. The political impact of OPS joining the DMK will be limited as his influence will be confined to his home turf of Theni and support of his Thevar community.

With the renaming of Kerala to Keralam, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has turned the issue into a significant political flashpoint ahead of the state election due in a couple of months. Didi termed the BJP “anti-Bengal” and accused the CPI(M) of maintaining a tacit understanding with the saffron party. She alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah remember West Bengal only during election season, while consistently blocking the state’s longstanding demand for a name change. The issue dates back to 1999 when the Left Front government led by chief minister Jyoti Basu first proposed renaming the state “Paschim Bangla”. After coming to power in 2011, Mamata revived the effort. In 2016, her government suggested “Bengal” in English, “Bangla” in Bengali, and “Bangal” in Hindi, but the Centre rejected the proposal, citing the use of three different names. A later suggestion to adopt “Bangla” as the sole name was also turned down, reportedly because it sounded similar to Bangladesh, potentially causing confusion in international forums. The controversy has put both the BJP and the CPI(M) on the defensive. The state CPI(M) leaders have reacted cautiously as prominent CPI(M) leader Pratik Ur Rahaman defected to the TMC. Local BJP leaders have dismissed Mamata’s claims as politically motivated, accusing her of sidelining the legacy of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and using the issue to polarise voters as campaigning gathers pace..

Theatre and film actress Ritika Shrotri is set to perform at the inaugural Mumbai Fringe Festival, part of the global Fringe movement that includes the prestigious Prague Fringe. The Mumbai edition runs from March 12-15, bringing the world’s largest arts movement to India for the first time. Shrotri, known for her work in Marathi and Hindi cinema, has been invited to showcase her acclaimed solo production, The Light Catcher, a 50-minute one-woman play previously seen at the Edinburgh Fringe and Camden Fringe in the UK, where she embodied 10 distinct characters. The English-language performance follows a photographer’s emotional journey in search of her “favourite” photograph — only to find meaning in the most unexpected moment of life — bringing to life a cast of characters from India, the UK, Venezuela, North Korea and Ethiopia. Audiences and critics have lauded the show as a visually and culturally rich theatrical experience. Shrotri has been a prominent figure in the Marathi film industry for over 15 years, with notable roles in films including Bucket List (as Madhuri Dixit’s daughter), Boyz, Mukkam Post Bombilwadi , London Misal and lstest Wada Paav. She has also appeared in Netflix originals such as Raid 2 and Meenakshi Sundareshwar. Written by AI scientist Niranjan Pedanekar, The Light Catcher draws inspiration from Kevin Carter’s haunting photograph of a Sudanese child — an image that sparked global conversation on art and ethics. The play has earned accolades including Best Play at the Red Curtain International Festival and a Best Actress award for Shrotri, following more than 30 sold-out shows across India’s leading venues.