Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawar’s intimate dialogue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in New Delhi a couple of days ago has once again miffed the principal players in Maharashtra politics. Although their cosy relationship is well-known, the Congress and the Shiv Sena (UBT) have been finding it difficult to decipher the hidden message, if any, behind the conversation between the two giants. Obviously rattled by the development, Sena (UBT) Sanjay Raut has wondered how Modi could sit beside a leader whom the PM had described as ‘a wandering spirit’ during the state assembly electioneering in November last. The Congress has preferred to maintain silence as its state leaders are aware of Pawar’s connection with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge and hence don’t wish to invite the ire of the high command by rubbing Pawar the wrong way. But Pawar’s detractors allege that Modi is appeasing Pawar since his NCP has eight Lok Sabha members and the ruling BJP at the Centre needs as much support as possible on the floor of the house. Pawar’s daughter and party MP Supirya Sule has defended the meeting, saying that both leaders are political masters and know what they are doing. Of late, Pawar has been pursuing his own policies, not caring about the possible fallout from the Congress or the Sena (UBT), the two Maha Vikas Aghadi partners. The Pawar-Modi dialogue has once again kicked off a guessing game. 

Days after West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee made it public about her discussions with Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran of launching direct flights from Kolkata to Europe at the Bengal Global Business Summit comes the news that Kolkata is set to lose its Air India base. The airline, it seems, is withdrawing operations from the city, citing insufficient demand for business and first-class seats, a move reminiscent of British Airways’ exit 16 years ago. While economy class sees steady demand, the lack of high-paying passengers has made Kolkata an unviable base for Air India. From March 31, the airline’s flights will be replaced by Air India Express, the Tata Group’s low-cost subsidiary, which operates an all-economy-class model. Once a crucial hub for Indian Airlines, Kolkata’s role in Air India’s operations has gradually declined. Pilots stationed in the city must now either resign and join Air India Express or relocate. Of approximately 150 pilots, some have moved to IndiGo or shifted to other cities, while 50–60 have opted for Air India Express. Tata Group is repositioning Air India as an international brand, focusing premium operations on major hubs while shifting domestic routes to Air India Express. Similar transitions are expected in Chennai and Hyderabad. Industry experts argue that if the investments announced at the Bengal Global Business Summit materialises, then demand for premium-class travel may eventually rise. Currently, Air India operates 26 flights daily from Kolkata, all of which will cease after March 31. 

Looks like it’s tough times for Dr Achutya Samanta, founder of the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University and ex-Biju Janata Dal MP. He is now under the scanner of the BJP-led government in Odisha. The reasons range from land grab allegations to the issue of assaulting and forcibly evicting 1,000 Nepali students from KIIT campus and dropping them at Cuttack railway station to ensure they are headed back to Nepal. Sources say, KIIT’s action has resulted in diplomatic embarrassment for the Indian government. This pressure from the government saw Dr Samanta issuing an apology for his action and asking Nepali students to return back to KIIT. Meanwhile, the Odisha government, it is learnt, has set up a three-member inquiry committee, led by additional chief secretary (Home) Satyabrata Sahu to find out what went wrong at KIIT campus. Dr Achutya Samant has already appeared in person and given a detailed explanation about his regrettable action. According to India’s former Education Secretary Dr Arun Rath, Vice Chancellor is the administrative head, he should be held responsible for ensuring discipline in the campus. The Nepal government has insisted that the “unruly” staffers and teachers who allegedly misbehaved with Nepalese students should be sacked from KIIT. For KIIT which is currently run by Dr Samanta, the challenge is to professionalise it at all levels and get the right people to run it. 

Is Kerala moving away from its sports culture legacy embedded in track and field, football, volleyball and basketball? These are early days, but the multi-cultural mix of the Southern state is openly pointing towards its love for cricket. For the first time in the annals of the eight-decade old Ranji Trophy — a blue riband tournament of the BCCI — Kerala threw down the gauntlet and reached the pinnacle to have a shot at the title of the 2024-25 season. Now and then Kerala has shown the spark in the white-ball format of the game and a number of Malayalee cricketers have taken the spotlight — but the team — one among the 32 in the four Elite Groups  — fashioned a one run and two run lead in the quarter-finals and semi-finals to enter the final by its own right. Long ago Kerala was a no hoper against strong cricket legacy teams like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Hyderabad in the Zonal format, but the introduction of a new format ago has given more exposure to the minnows and this season Kerala advanced from a group in which  six were previous winners of the Ranji Trophy like Haryana, Karnataka, MP, West Bengal, UP and Punjab. Bihar was the eighth team in their group. The Malayalees across India and the world will watch the final with keen interest as Kerala locks horns with the two-time winner Vidarbha for the coveted prize and Rs 5 crore. Hail Kerala, one may raise a toast now!  

First-time MLA Rekha Gupta was sworn in as the fourth woman chief minister of Delhi before a huge gathering at the historic Ramlila Maidan. Parvesh Verma, Ashish Sood, Manjinder Singh Sirsa — all three CM hopefuls — who were touted for their caste and community representations simply fell aside. Rekha stood out only because she had all the qualities to perpetuate and popularise the BJP in Delhi. The years she had put in as municipal councillor prepared her for the top job. Her Baniya caste also worked in her favour. In a state with an adverse sex ratio in terms of voters — male voters (83,76,173) outnumbering women (72,36,560), women voters overwhelmingly backing BJP, the party had no choice but to go for a woman CM. BJP sources say while Modi wanted to thank Delhi women voters by picking Rekha, male stalwarts lost out to factionalism. Rekha Gupta’s first responsibility will be to ensure that women get Rs 2,500 every month, as was promised in the BJP Sankalp Patra. More than that it will be to get Yamuna cleaned up by November ahead of Chhat puja — that is before Bihar polls.  In fact that is Modi’s agenda  and he has  tasked  Rekha and her team to ensure that priority basis .  BJP sources says Rekha’s rise shows that BJP is reinforcing its image as a party that champions women-centric politics. It shows how the party is prioritising its representation through 33% reservation in BJP organisational structure.  After all Modi was mocked by the Opposition for not implementing women’s quota bill (passed in Sept 2023) straightaway in 2024 Lok Sabha polls; now he has shown the way.  

Tamil Nadu’s father and son duo of MK Stalin and Udhayanidhi Stalin have embarked on a fight to the finish with the Centre on all issues. They know well that this confrontation is not going to get the state anywhere in terms of funding from the Union in important areas like education, but they are convinced that they will have the Tamil people more on their side if they continually oppose PM Narendra Modi, the BJP and the Centre. Their latest battle has lain in the third language formula domain in which the state will get more than Rs 2,100 crore funding if they adopt the New Education Policy. It is known that the third language need not necessarily be Hindi and can be any official language of India that a school offers, including the mother tongue of students who are from outside the state. But that has not stopped the father-son from ignoring the fact that the third language is not necessarily pro-Hindi nor Hindi imposition. It is the Tamil psyche shaped by the anti-Hindi agitation of the 1960s that the duo is exploiting along with their party that came to power because of the language agitation that began nearly a century ago when C Rajagopalachari oversaw the Madras Presidency in the 1930s. They are playing to the gallery and getting under the skin of New Delhi. Tamil pride and Tamil angst are what they are depending on as they plan to keep power. 

BJP’s loser in two assembly elections as well as for Mayor’s post of Delhi MCD, Rekha Gupta, can’t believe her luck after anointment as Delhi’s chief minister, over giant killer Parvesh Verma and Vijendra Gupta, new Speaker of the state legislative assembly. The BJP high command intends to transform Delhi into the best example of governance although currently exemplifying everything wrong across public welfare parameters following decade long AAP misgovernance. Before Gupta aligned with the legacy of late Sheila Dixit and, more recently Atishi Singh Marlena, PM Modi had requisitioned Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena for Yamuna clean-up. Saxena’s political link up with the Union Home ministry makes crystal clear who (Shah) runs Delhi’s political affairs and, at whose (Modi’s) behest? Political pundits confused over deputy CM Parvesh Verma, who successfully fought against Arvind Kejriwal, being overlooked for CM’s post. Even Vijendra Gupta, a Baniya from Kejriwal’s community, won MLA seat in the last three state assemblies even when AAP won 67 out of possible 70 MLAs. Both shadow CMs, will bolster Delhi’s affairs backing CM Rekha Gupta. Next up is an ambitious plan to ramp up and extend the Metro rail services in and around Delhi. That apart, Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari has set three-year deadline to complete mega flyovers project directly connecting Delhi with UP (Noida, Gurugram, Meerut) and Haryana to island national capital against vehicular traffic flowing through it and headed to these destinations to reduce pollution quotient (AQI) of Delhi. Delhi’s public transport service will also be replaced with 100% pollution free EV buses.

In South India, February is definitely a lean month for movie releases. Especially after big releases during Pongal week and Republic Day. However, this Pongal had few releases, especially films starring the big sharks…Vijay busy with his political outfit. Ajith racing formula cars. So, the shortest month with the leanest audience has inspired some avant garde films, made on shoestring budgets and rubber bands has surprisingly drawn the millennium kid viewers. Dhanush has bravely directed his home production film, Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam…this long title has been accordion-pleated into an origami NEEK. Dhanush has introduced a total cast of newbies especially his nephew Pavish. Oh, we must mention that Dhanush’s older son Yatra has collaborated in the lyrics. Dhanush has motivated the audience to encourage these newcomers. But the real surprise is Dragon which has drawn much appreciation for the performance of hero Pradeep Ranganathan under the gripping direction of Ashwath Marimuthu. The film raises many questions about the GenNext rebellion and “couldn’t care less” attitude. Ranganathan is bound to go places. Bad Girl has already made news by its theme of a teenager discovering the nuances of hormones and sex. It has been panned for its racist, class divide …such bordering on erotic does not need a lean month to bring in voyeurs. Ramam Raghavam is probably a film to think about that may appeal with Samuthirakani as the pivot father who wants to mould his son is a story that may resonate with every generation. The filmi cauldron has to dip into time-tested formulae…love, rejection, conflict, resolution, compromise and aspirations. With tight budgets, it’s brave of such productions to risk their all on unique stories and hope to hit that pot of gold. 

There was that brief break when Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai was in the UK for about three months. During that period, the internecine war between the DMK and Annamalai paused, only to start again, this time with overt threats and challenges. As it is the DMK is seeing bright red as BJP is withholding the education funds for TN, demanding the three-language formula be introduced in the state. Views are strongly divided on this daunting issue — a consensus compromise has to be reached. Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin has thrown the gauntlet; the DMK is openly saying that it will no longer be “Go back Modi” but a more virulent “Get out Modi”. Annamalai, just waiting for a chance to retaliate, has issued a fresh challenge with a prickly hashtag, “Get out Stalin” and has thrown the gauntlet “let’s see which hashtag gets the most hits”. In terms of dignified and grace filled political exchange, this appears totally immature. Minister for Health, Ma.Subramanian says, “Annamalai should control his speech”. For his part, Sekhar Babu, (minister for HR & CE), His Masters Voice for Stalin Sr and Jr is optimistic that the more hits DMK gets from BJP, the more DMK will bounce higher like a ball.  “Let Annamalai stand against our lowest level DMK cadre in the Assembly election. Its victory for the DMK”. Juggernauts are ready for the Colosseum.

India’s Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s clarion call to launch a drive to throw out illegal immigrants from India is interpreted as a shot in the arm for the government to intensify its on-going operation to weed out such individuals and deport them. He declared his stand while delivering the 65th convocation ceremony address of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. Dhankhar pointed out that several nations had undertaken such an action and wondered when India would take similar steps. He lamented that crores of such unauthorised immigrants were living in India, depriving local people of the employment opportunities. Dhankhar observed that while nationalism was the real religion, certain powers had been operating against it. Dhankhar’s comments assume significance against the backdrop of certain statements emanating from the U.S., suggesting that efforts had been made to influence the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Though the VP did not elaborate on this theme further, the message was loud and clear. In a manner of speaking, it is seen as an endorsement of the present sweeps by the police in different parts of the country to identify and send back the illegal immigrants. The issue has become a political matter since some parties and organisations are arguing that it will be inhuman to uproot those living in this country for a number of years. The issue is quite grave in Mumbai and Maharashtra. Hence Dhankhar’s call is expected to boost the Maharashtra government’s determination to act against the illegal intruders entering the state. 

Maharashtra’s food and civil supplies minister Dhananjay Munde seems to be facing trouble on all fronts – professional, personal and health — providing fodder for his opponents. Now his partner Karuna Sharma nee Munde is once again back with a vengeance against him. In November 2024 in a video message, Karuna had accused Dhananjay of jailing her on false charges, getting her assaulted by his aides in collector’s office, and even booking entire hotels for having a good time. The volatile relationship between the Munde couple, who have two children, has spilled over into much action on the local political front in Beed. In 2024 she floated a political outfit, Swarajya Shakti Sena. She also contested against Pankaja Munde in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from Beed but garnered only 1600 votes. Clearly, the hatred for her husband runs deeper and she responded to news of Munde ailing with Bell’s Palsy by demanding that he be treated in a public hospital casting aspersion on the timing of the ailment. Though Karuna Sharma’s diatribe against Munde isn’t new, it now assumes political significance with her joining the cause with the likes of Munde baiters like BJP legislator Suresh Dhas, Maratha leader Manoj Jarange Patil, activist Anjali Damania and his party opponents, Supriya Sule. Karuna claims that she’s always kept Sharad Pawar updated about her various complaints against Dhananjay Munde from time to time. Not surprisingly, Supriya Sule is the only politician who has entertained her and heard her out. The only silver lining for Dhananjay is that his son from Karuna, Seeshiv, has officially stepped up in support of his father calling him responsible and financially supportive. 

In a surprise move, the former RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das was appointed Principal Secretary to PM Narendra Modi. The appointments committee of the cabinet said Das’ appointment will be co-terminus with the term of the PM or until further orders, whichever is earlier. Das was RBI chief for six years beginning December 2018 and had been hoping for a second term. It did not materialise because of bureaucratic issues–top babus in the government had apparently opposed an extension. As principal secretary in the PMO, Das will bring his vast experience of over decades in various areas of governance. Das’s appointment will give economic thrust to the PMO. More so, because Das has held several important positions in the Central and state governments in the areas of finance, taxation, industries and infrastructure. As the RBI Governor during the Covid-19 pandemic, he spearheaded a series of measures to support growth and strengthen India’s financial stability. His appointment in the PMO clearly surprised political circles as he was always perceived to be close to Congress leader P Chidambaram. Though he has been designated as Principal Secretary (2), he will be working with PK Mishra, both incidentally belonging to Odisha. Ahead of his appointment, Das was spotted attending the School of Ultimate Leadership conclave addressed by PM Modi at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi over the weekend. At the time of his exit from Mint Street, Das had even talked about writing a book. That project will now have to be shelved at least for now. PM Modi has also opted for continuity in the tenure of the government think tank NITI Aayog extending CEO BVR Subrahmanyam’s term by a year, beginning February 24.

Change is the only constant in the world. It also signals a move forward. In this instance, however, this change has ushered in a complete break from the past. No doubt, the ownership of Kothari Industrial Corporation (KICL), a company founded very many summers ago by the late DC Kothari, has moved on to Rafiq Ahmed a while ago. But there was a sense of continuity with Pradip D Kothari, son of DC, remaining as the Chairman of KICL. A few days ago, however, he stepped down to pave the way for Rafiq Ahmed to become the Executive Chairman of the company. With this, the break is complete. From now onwards, KICL will run on its own sans the DC Kothari family members. Indeed, KICL has padded up for a new innings. Having given a new lease of life to KICL, Rafiq Ahmed is focussing on the way forward. He continues to carry on the legacy of the late DC Kothari. At the same time, he is charting out his own plan to bring the glory of former times back to the Kothari, a celebrated brand once upon a time. The DC Kothari Group, in fact, had grown with the blessings of illustrious names such as R Venkatraman (former President of India), K Kamaraj (chief minister of Tamil Nadu) and the like. Not surprisingly, Rafiq Ahmed has chosen to continue the legacy of the vision envisioned by DC Kothari. Well, the newly-anointed Executive Chairman is on a mission mode. He has put on a blinker to push brand Kothari to its original glory.

The longstanding cultural tradition between India and Bangladesh surrounding International Mother Language Day faced an unexpected disruption this year due to political tensions. Just a year ago, the Vice-Chancellors of Dhaka University and St Xavier’s University, Kolkata were seen together at the historic Shaheed Minar in Dhaka, joined by students from both institutions. However, this year, the event had to be cancelled amid a charged political atmosphere in Bangladesh. The tradition dates back to 2011, during the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Rabindranath Tagore. That same year, St. Xavier’s University introduced its Bengali Honors course. Since then, a torch, symbolizing linguistic unity, would be lit at Dhaka University’s Shaheed Minar days before February 21st and then carried across various universities in West Bengal, including St. Xavier’s campuses in Raghabpur, Siliguri, and New Town. The final ceremony used to take place at St Xavier’s University in Park Street on February 21st. However, this year, the torch was absent from Kolkata’s observance of the day. Ferdousul Hasan, honorary secretary of St Xavier’s alumni association confirmed the decision not to bring the torch from Dhaka this year due to political tensions. Hasan said the torch lit in Dhaka was taken to various institutions like Loyola College in Chennai, St. Joseph’s in Bengaluru among others. This interruption has underscored the impact of changing political landscapes on the cultural unity between the two Bengals. Even the Deputy High Commission of Bangladesh in Kolkata opted for a low-key, closed-door observance of February 21st this year, reportedly to avoid controversy. Meanwhile, West Bengal government-led celebrations took place at Deshapriya Park.

The labour impasse at the Samsung’s Sriperumbudur facility in Tamil Nadu is attracting increasing attention as both sides aren’t ready to yield from their stated positions. The trigger for the latest industrial dispute was the suspension of three workers of the union which was registered under a court order but has not been recognised by the Samsung management. As the fracas continues, the union leader has alleged that the management has suspended more workers. The suspension of the three union workers, the management claims, was forced as a section of the workers led by these three assembled unannounced and gate crashed to have an audience with officials of the company. The union leader — an outsider belonging to CPI(M)-affiliated CITU, wanted the suspension removed and demanded the management to forthwith stop using contracts labour. This sounds funny. If Samsung can’t use contract labour, how can the union have an outsider as its leader! An oxymoron position by the union leader, it appears! As the stalemate prolongs at Samsung facility, questions have risen over its fallout on the effort of the DMK government in attracting global investment. In the emerging era of artificial intelligence one is unable to fathom the larger implications of such strident position articulated by an outsider-leader.

The moment Shiv Sena (UBT) dismissed its spokesman Kishore Tiwari from the responsibility, he launched a tirade against the manner in which the party is being run. While going soft on leader Uddhav Thackeray, he has held some top leaders responsible for the Sena’s debacle.  The Sena is receiving one jolt after another almost daily due to desertions by its loyal workers and Tiwari’s unbridled outburst is bound to make its challenge graver for the coming local body elections. While Uddhav has tried to inject vigour into the rank and file by declaring his resolve to administer one mega blow to the ruling saffron alliance, Tiwari’s disclosures will force the party to defend its decisions, especially of distributing tickets for the 2024 assembly election. Tiwari has alleged that many of the tickets were ‘sold’ and certain party leaders had amassed a fortune. His main target is party MP Sanjay Raut, whose continuous controversial statements Tiwari has found very objectionable and damaging. Tiwari has criticized other leaders like Subhash Desai, Vinayak Raut and Milind Narvekar, who are closest to Uddhav. He told a news channel that he has revealed just one percent and will expose more and more misdeeds of the party and its leaders. Tiwari has been the Sena protagonist on various Marathi and national news channels. He has vowed to continue to work for the Sena ‘until I am expelled from the party.’ 

Controversial Maharashtra minister Dhananjay Munde has been down with Bell’s Palsy, which has incapacitated him. But the clamour for his resignation is not likely to subside. Munde has been the bone of contention within the ruling NDA regime due to the several serious allegations levelled against him. Some of his closest aides are behind bars and even his own future is bleak. A staunch supporter of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, the nephew of late Gopinath Munde, he has emerged as a formidable OBC leader in the state. Therefore, demands for his removal from the cabinet have been ignored by Pawar. However, the series of exposures with Munde’s alleged connection have landed the Fadnavis government into a tight situation. Munde’s ironclad hold over his home district, Beed, is said to have culminated into various scams and acts of violence. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has declared that Pawar will take a decision about Munde, whose illness has complicated the situation. Bell’s palsy is a condition that causes sudden weakness in the muscles on one side of the face. The weakness makes half of the face appear to droop. It can occur at any age though the exact cause for its occurrence is not known. Munde’s absence from the cabinet meetings and from public events had started rumours that he had resigned or had been asked to quit. He himself has so far stoutly denied any such decision. His affliction has temporarily stopped his critics but many of them have declared to continue the campaign against Munde by wishing him a speedy recovery.

The intitial turn out for India’s opening ICC Champions Trophy match at the Dubai International Stadium (DIS) was a far cry from the spectators who showed up for India’s home series matches against England  recently. It was full house in Nagpur and Cuttack, and around 60000 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad for the third ODI. The men in blue are a big draw anywhere in the world but on Thursday — which is not a holiday here — there were not many takers, most of them having saved Dirhams for the India-Pakistan group match on Sunday, which is a weekend holiday. The DIS can hold between 25000 and 30000 people and by the time Mohammed Shami and Harshit Rana struck blows in the first 10 balls of the match — after Bangladesh chose to bat  winning the toss — one could  see empty seats  at the Stadium. The venue which has a canopy like roof and gives a ring of fire like visual as  dusk settles in, has become a popular venue in the UAE — the other two being the Sharjah Cricket Stadium and the Shaikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Tickets are priced as low as 250 AED and it goes up to a high of 12500 AED for the Grand Lounge at the DIS. The ticketing arrangements have been done by the host Pakistan Cricket Board  and Emirates Cricket Board and much of the gate receipts should be going to Pakistan’s kitty. Wickets were falling in a heap in the first hour of the match as India gained the upperhand and the only disappointing aspect was skipper Rohit Sharma spilling a catch at slip to deny left arm spinner Axar Patel, a hat-trick.

In a week’s time, that’s next Sunday on February 23, the world of cricket would swing to the passions reflected across India and Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy. The clash between the arch rivals in cricket will be a sell out with every seat at the Dubai International Stadium, where the expatriates will shell out thousands of Dirhams and create an electrifying atmosphere. Seventeen months ago, a near full house at the Narendra Modi Stadium rooted for the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team against Pakistan in the ICC World Cup. India which won that match was the host of the World Cup and Pakistan travelled to Ahmedabad for the marquee event. The Pakistan Cricket board (PCB) being the host of the ICC Champions Trophy, believed India would travel across the border to give the local fans — either in Lahore or Karachi — a real experience of a high-octane tension filled match, but the BCCI, not allowed by the government of India, refused to send its team to Pakistan — citing security concerns — and India’s group matches were scheduled in Dubai.  An India-Pakistan contest in any sport is an extraordinary event by itself, but one between the cricketers of the two countries is truly uplifting to the millions of fans of the country that wins the contest. Eight years ago Pakistan downed India by 180 runs in the Champions Trophy final at ‘The Oval’ in London. Pakistan holds a 3-2 edge in the Champions Trophy and 73-57 edge overall in ODIs, but it’s 2-0 for India in Dubai with Rohit Sharma totalling 317 runs in five matches with a high of an unbeaten 111 against Pakistan in the 2018 Asia Cup. 

Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district seems to be on the radar of corporate India. Two big projects, an iron ore, and a steel plant, involving huge investment is expected to transform this naxal-infested belt forever. Sajjan Jindal promoted JSW Group is setting up a 25 million tonne steel plant – world’s largest — by investing Rs 1 trillion over next seven to eight years. Helping the steel plant with regular supply of iron ore is B Prabhakaran-promoted Thriveni Sainik Mining. This company is a prominent player in the coal mining sector with a capacity to deliver 15 MTPA of coal. Coming to iron ore, Thriveni has entered into an agreement with Mukesh Gupta-promoted Lloyds Metals and Energy as Lloyds was granted a 50-year iron ore mining lease in 2007 for 348 hectares at Surajgarh Village. This area is known to have a major iron ore reserve. It may be recalled that Gupta was a high-profile businessman in the nineties running a clutch of companies from steel to real estate to pharma. Thriveni which got into play in 2021 after being appointed MDO or Mine Developer and Operator has already produced over 3 MTPA and plans to produce 25 MTPA iron ore. Sometimes back, Thriveni Group was in the news not because its promoter Prabhakaran was arrested over his role in a mining scam but, because the Union minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw before entering politics was a director in Prabhakaran-promoted iron ore company Thriveni Pellets Pvt Ltd set up in 2019. 

Nine years after the Left Democratic Front (LDF) headed by Pinarayi Vijayan blocked the then ruling UDF’s plan to allow private universities into Kerala, the LDF has had a change of heart. “The government’s latest decision is in sync with changing times,” says Higher Education Minister, R Bindu. Any agency which has experience and credibility can apply to set up a University provided it deposits Rs 25 crore as corpus money and also has the requisite land as per regulatory agency. In case the proposed Private University is a multi-campus varsity, then at least 10 acres of land is required. The government’s move is to ensure that Malayali students remain in Kerala. As per a joint study by Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation (GIFT) and Centre for Development Studies (CDS), nearly 50.8% of Malayali students migrate to neighbouring Karnataka alone for higher studies. Though the government has indicated that the new policy has attracted many institutions/universities, it is too early to predict how things will play out due to certain stiff parameters included in the proposal.  They include 40% seat reservation for permanent residents of Kerala and that SC/ST students have to be provided scholarships and fee concessions. The LDF government has also indicated that its nominees — Higher Education Secretary and another Department Secretary should be nominated in the Private University’s governing council. And if this is not enough intervention, the state government will have a nominee as member of the University’s executive council and three nominees in the academic council. It will also comply with directions of regulatory agencies regarding appointment of Vice Chancellors and faculty members. Initial indications are that the Azim Premji University and another Gulf-based institution with the blessings of the promoter of Lulu hyper-market chain, M A Yusuff Ali, have indicated their interest.

The Union Home Ministry’s decision to grant actor-politician Vijay, the chief of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), ‘Y’ category security in Tamil Nadu has stirred the political pot. Sources said while the security was accorded after an internal security audit by the Intelligence Bureau, it has prompted a  sharp reaction from the AIADMK, which suspected that the BJP would use the security cover to get the newbie politician to its side at a time when it is planning a grand alliance with TVK and the Congress for next year’s assembly elections. It may seem the Centre’s security decision is being over analysed. But sources say the Congress is already under pressure from AIADMK to change its TN president ahead of the assembly polls as he is being viewed as too close to the DMK, post Erode assembly by-elections. Meanwhile, it is felt Vijay may accept the security cover as it will be helpful in managing the crowd during his public engagement as a politician. AIADMK functionaries however are unconvinced that the Centre’s decision was merely a security decision. Strongly backing the Centre’s decision to give Vijay ‘Y’ security cover, TN BJP chief K Annamalai pointed out that the Central government had given CRPF security to Opposition leader Edappadi K Palaniswami, regardless of whether the AIADMK was in alliance with the BJP or not. He pointed out that similarly the central government had given ‘Y’ security to Vijay. “The reason that Vijay is not able to meet the public is because of the huge crowds.” He also wanted to know why the DMK government in the state had not come forward to give Vijay this sort of security. 

The recent release of Chaava, featuring Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna, has ignited significant discussions around the intersection of art and political scrutiny in India. While the film has garnered considerable buzz and attention at the box office, it has also faced backlash from various political groups, often dubbed as the “moral police.” This scrutiny particularly intensified around a promotional song featuring a traditional lezim dance that depicted the historical figure Sambhaji Maharaj in a manner some deemed inappropriate. Critics argued that the portrayal of the king dancing was historically inaccurate and disrespectful, prompting Maharashtra Minister Uday Samant to advocate for a review by historians to preserve the dignity of the Sambhaji Maharaj. In response to this pressure, director Laxman Utekar met with political leader Raj Thackeray and ultimately decided to remove the contentious scene. This incident reflects a growing trend where political entities feel entitled to intervene in Bollywood productions, raising concerns about the freedom of expression for artists. This pattern is not new; previous controversies, such as the uproar over the song “Besharam Rang” from Pathaan and the backlash against the song “Malhari” from Jodha Akbar which faced criticism for its use of the phrase “Vaat Laavli,” underscore the inconsistent responses from the industry and authorities. Sanjay Leela Bhansali, known for his grand historical narratives, has frequently found himself at odds with political outfits, from Jodha Akbar to Padmaavat to Gangubai Kathiawadi. This trend illustrates a troubling reality where the creative landscape is increasingly shaped by political agendas, often at the expense of artistic integrity and historical representation. As the lines between art and politics blur, it raises critical questions about the future of creative freedom in India. 

In Tamil Nadu, the Dravidian major AIADMK is going through a minor crisis of confidence with a senior member in Sengottaiyan staying away from an event that felicitated the party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS). The former minister explained it away saying he was told there would be no portraits of party founder MGR and his protégé J Jayalalithaa at the venue and the party explained it away by saying the event was by a federation of farmers. The minor misunderstanding alone is not, however, what the leader and former chief minister EPS is facing. He is deprecated as the ‘dubbing voice’ of the BJP by TN chief minister MK Stalin and assailed every day by those who he had forced out of the party like TTV Dhinakaran of the Sasikala clan. While Palaniswami may be forced to accept that to go with the BJP in the Assembly elections of 2026 could be the only option given the scattered vote share of the Opposition, he is being offered an olive branch by the ousted former chief minister O Panneerselvam (OPS) who now senses an opportunity to call for unifying all forces so the party may regain the strength of old and be a force to be reckoned with in the state. OPS is now saying he is willing to patch up and return even with EPS as chief. provided fair elections are held soon with all party members allowed to vote for their chief. Meanwhile, word has come in that political advisers are saying that only a front against the ruling DMK with AIADMK, BJP and Vijay’s fledgling TVK could fancy its chances of downing the ruling party. 

Maharashtra keeps proving that there are no permanent friends or enemies in politics. So, the BJP which had launched a vociferous diatribe against Ajit Pawar’s Dhananjay Munde in Beed through its local legislator Suresh Dhas there, suddenly mediated a peace meet between them signalling de-escalations in political tensions on that front. Maharashtra reeled in a shock when Dhas admitted to dropping in to check up on Munde’s health following a surgery after spending weeks accusing his aides of extortion and murder. Uddhav too has started warming up to BJP chief minister Devendra Fadnavis prompting talks of a BJP-Sena alliance after calling each other names like Fadtus and Kadtus to each other. Fadnavis though met up with his cousin Raj Thackeray sparking talks of BJP aligning with him. Uddhav’s bete noire Eknath Shinde, on the other hand, displayed signs of warming up to Sharad Pawar. Sharad Pawar played a masterstroke by publicly felicitating Shinde, praising him and clearly dropping out Uddhav Thackeray from his books like a hot potato. Shinde these days is already having an upper hand with Operation Tiger; he intends to poach Uddhav’s three MPs. Ajit Pawar has already started attending events with the senior Pawar on the dais sparking talks of both the NCP factions warming up to each other. Amidst all these shifts and readjustments, probably to gear up for the forthcoming local body polls, the Congress is the only party which finds itself left lonely to nurse its wounds all alone. 

The silent war for supremacy claims between Rajini and Vijay’s fans has been smouldering for a few years now. Vijay has conquered that top slot in box office status which Rajini and Kamal shared. Who is the highest paid actor is the bone of contention…obviously the commercial success of Vijay’s formula padded high-octane films is hard to ignore, harder not to acknowledge it. Recently, it took an ugly turn when the X (formerly Twitter) handle of Rajini fan clubs carried an unsavoury threat to Vijay. The plan was to chuck rotten eggs at Vijay in his political meetings. The rotten eggs were to be sourced at bulk rates from Namakkal. This audio caused a major flutter and Rajini’s PR mouthpiece condemned the plan. “A genuine fan of our Thalaivar would never think of such base actions. Mutual respect for fans is what we profess. Don’t make cinema a divisive force”. Another distasteful event had preceded this one on February 7 when Ajith’s long-awaited Vidaamuyarchi hit the screens. Suddenly at the Nellai’s Ram theatre, a bunch of diehard Vijay fans and newly minted party acolytes came, waving TVK flags and matching swag to impress the crowd about their leader. A few Ajith fans caught hold of the enthusiasts and thrashed them, saying you want to watch a movie, do so without pomp and flag fare. Even when celebrity stars don’t resort to cheap publicity, the fan clubs bring a bad reputation. And when cine glitz transforms into politics, the stakes are higher. 

Aadav Arjuna, son in law of lottery king Santiago Martin, convinced poll strategist and founder of Jan Suraaj Prashant Kishor to meet actor Vijay at his Neelankarai residence. During the meeting, it is learnt, Kishor talked about forging an omnibus alliance in Tamil Nadu – Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), AIADMK and the BJP. The meeting that lasted over two hours left the media and watchers agog with curiosity and questions. TVK commands 20% of the votes in TN, a figure that Prashant is said to have spoken about to mainline media as well as podcasters. “My two-hour meeting has set 2000 kites flying with their own versions,” said Prashant. It was said that Prashant who visited Vijay as a friend has spelt out the dos and don’ts. He has set out three commandments. First suggestion, his exhortation to TVK and Vijay build up the party to reach every nook and corner. Cinema can only go so far in providing optics. The second commandment, TVK was recently started and does not have enough time to build a full-scale infrastructure in the short time before 2026 hustings. It is not possible to stand alone and hope to fight elections without the support of a strong alliance. The third one is seen as most strategic. In 2017 DMK was almost reborn after a 10-year Vanvas but it had seamlessly worked with alliances that stood the test of time. So instead of fighting a monolith coalition, try to wean away the unhappy B Listers. For now, Kishor has just thrown the bait …it was obvious that TVK and Vijay were working, planning and converting every chance into an opportunity. And now with the Centre’s Y security status accorded to Vijay, he is already in the chosen list. 

There is no dearth of one sensational turn after another in Maharashtra politics over the past three months. Ever since the state assembly election results came out in November, the polity has been in upheaval. The latest such development is firebrand leader Chhagan Bhujbal’s obeisance to RSS top leader Bhayyaji Joshi. Of and on attacking the Sangh Parivar, Bhujbal had nurtured his image as a secular follower of NCP founder Sharad Pawar. Many observers recalled how Bhujbal was the first to split the Shiv Sena in 1991 when Balasaheb Thackeray was at the height of his popularity. The issue was Thackeray’s refusal to accept the Mandal Commission report.  Again, it was Bhujbal who was among the top disciples of Pawar to join the newly-floated NCP in 1999. He rose to become Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister. The recent vertical split in the NCP found Bhujbal joining the faction led by Ajit Pawar and many of his closest workers were astounded. In a recent surprising turn, Bhujbal was not accommodated in the cabinet formed by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. He had publicly lamented that Fadnavis wished to make him a minister but Ajit had stalled the move. Owing to such happenings, there is a whispering campaign to suggest that Bhujbal is on his way to join the BJP. He himself has never discounted this possibility. On top of this, Bhujbal’s unreserved praise of Bhayyaji at a Ram temple in Niphad in Nasik district a couple of days ago has once again heightened suspense about his next move. 

In Odisha’s BJP circle all talks are about who will take over as the state’s BJP president. One of the selection criteria is that whoever takes the top job position, should not pose any threat to the incumbent chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The CM has the full backing of the PM. This is why one of the top contenders for the president’s post Manmohan Samal may lose out but has the credentials for the top job. He played a decisive role in ensuring a big BJP win in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and sources say, if he is made Odisha BJP president there is a possibility that his personality could overshadow that of Majhi. So, Samal’s strong personality goes against him so far. With a view not to upset the apple cart the party high command are also looking at other names such as Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi MP from Kandhamal, Dr Jatin Mohanty- BJP General Secretary, Golak Mohapatra BJP Vice President, Sukeshi Oram. In all this rat race, one thing that has become loud and clear is that the Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan who had trained his eyes in the CM’s chair for a long time will have to forget it. Majhi is here to stay. 

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray’s son Amit has given indications that the organisation can change its course. At a party meet in Mumbai, Amit has dismissed his father’s claim that EVMs were responsible for his party’s defeat in the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections. Raj had only recently doubted the election results by alleging that EVMs were manipulated to engineer the BJP’s victory. In a bold departure, Amit has told the party leaders that it will be futile to blame the EVMs and that a thorough introspective has been called for. Amit’s candid admission has assumed significance against the backdrop of local body elections, including in Mumbai, lurking on the horizon. Amit reportedly said in that meeting that notwithstanding his father’s observation about the EVMs, he was of the opinion that there were other reasons for the sorry performance. Amit had lost the assembly election from Dadar-Mahim constituency, the Shiv Sena’s birthplace in 1966. Amit’s outspoken stand and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis calling on Raj Thackeray just before the MNS meet are hardly a pleasant coincidence. Moreover, certain BJP leaders announcing that the party could go alone in the Mumbai civic election have been considered as a warning for the Sena led by deputy chief ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. An additional factor is the nervousness pervading the Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray amidst reports that many of its prominent leaders are on way out. 

The ICC Champions Trophy set to get off the ground for the Indian team in Dubai from next February 20 is important for many reasons. Whatever may be the outcome, the eight-nation tournament will dictate the course of action from senior cricketers like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja. Soon after India won the ICC Twenty20 World Cup last June in Bridgetown, Sharma, Kohli and Jadeja took a call to quit the shortest format of the game (not from the IPL). Now the discerning and key personnel in the BCCI including the national selection committee would look forward to white ball career decisions to be taken by the senior professionals. Sharma, Kohli and Jadeja had a good outing in the home series against England, making a 3-0 sweep of the ODI series, the first time in 13 years after India won a home series 5-0 against the same opponent in 2011. The selection committee too would look to build a new team for the next ICC World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. After a disappointing 1-3 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Sharma’s team will get an opportunity to win another ICC title. As a first task, it has to get across the group matches hurdles against Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand. Two wins will ensure India’s passage into the semi-finals in order to face a team from the other group that has Australia, South Africa, England and Afghanistan. India will be without Jasprit Bumrah and hence will lean heavily on the spinner allrounders to deliver the goods and the title of course. But the million-dollar question is: “What will Sharma, Kohli and Jadeja do after the tournament.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reportedly accepted an invitation of the Tamil Nadu BJP to inaugurate the newly constructed party office in southern most part of the state — Ramanathapuram on February 26. From there he will be travelling to Coimbatore. Around the same time PM Narendra Modi will also be in the state to  relaunch the new railway bridge connecting mainland India to Pamban Island at the south western tip of Tamil Nadu; it  is expected to open for train traffic on February 28. Built over nearly six years at a cost of Rs 531 crore, the 2.1-km structure has been hailed as an engineering marvel. It is India’s first vertical lift bridge, featuring a navigational span that can be raised up to 17 metres to allow floating pontoons. The decision to construct a new bridge was taken in 2019 after the old cantilever bridge — opened on February 24, 1914 — became structurally weak due to corrosion. Train movements on it stopped in December 2022. The old bridge was a historic engineering marvel until India’s longest sea bridge — Bandra-Worli Sea Link opened in Mumbai in 2010. Besides, it also had several limitations. Its Scherzer rolling lift span had to be operated manually by 16 people, and the process took 45 minutes. The old bridge had only a single, unelectrified track. In contrast the new bridge has been designed for a speed of 80 kmph due to the presence of a 2.65-degree curve. The old bridge had a speed limit of 10 km. As many as 130 trains can operate on the bridge per week. Currently, trains terminate at Mandapam, 17 km northwest of the temple town of Rameswaram.

At a time when pollsters are giving thumbs up to entry of actor Vijay and his party TVK in Tamil Nadu politics and see him as a potential challenger to the ruling DMK in 2026 assembly elections, the DMK has decided to acquire some star power and nominate veteran actor Kamal Haasan to the Rajya Sabha from its quota. He will most likely be a DMK MP, and not be known by the party he founded, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM). Following up on its announcement, Tamil Nadu Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin met Haasan at his Alwarpet office in person to congratulate him. It is significant that at a time, actor Vijay’s entry into active politics is making waves, Haasan should opt out of state politics and move to the Rajya Sabha. TN political circles feel the veteran actor’s exit could well spell the end of the road for his MNM, a party he had founded in 2018 and did not meet with much success in 2019 Lok Sabha polls or the 2021 assembly elections.  The DMK had assured Haasan, a Rajya Sabha berth as part of their electoral pact in 2024.  As a result, Haasan’s MNM extended its support to the INDIA-bloc in TN. On March 9, 2024, Haasan had visited the DMK headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, where he signed an agreement with DMK president and TN chief minister MK Stalin. It isn’t just Kamal who has become part of the DMK juggernaut, even an ally like the Congress has not shown much willingness to resist DMK’s push for consolidation as it surrendered its claim to the seat in the latest round of by-election to Erode assembly seat The by-election was necessitated by the death of Congress MLA EVKS Elangovan in December.

The Congress party is taking steps to bring back its house in order in Maharashtra, the second largest state, electorally. However, the initial signals in response to Rahul Gandhi’s decision to appoint Vidarbha’s Maratha leader Harshwardhan Sapkal as MPCC president are not very heart warming. The party was in search of a leader to occupy the post after incumbent Nana Patole had resigned in the wake of the assembly election debacle. Sapkal’s appointment has been frowned upon by senior party leader Vijay Wadettiwar, who was hopeful of occupying the post. A staunch OBC proponent, Wadettiwar was earlier in hot water for publicly praising chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. The Congress party’s zero performance in the Delhi assembly election for a successive third time has spread a pall of gloom for its workers. Top leaders like Prithviraj Chavan and Balasaheb Thorat have gone into political retirement and have refused to head the state unit. Younger leaders like Vishwajit Kadam and Satej Patil, too, have declined the offer. On top of that, a nondescript worker like Harshwardhan Sapkal has been appointed to steer it. Sapkal’s only known qualification to be elevated to the post is his close contacts with Meenakshi Natarajan, an inner circle member around Rahul. His first test will be the coming local body elections. His loyalty is not questionable but his ability. Many feel that Rahul should have consulted at least some state leaders before taking this step.

According to the West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress super boss Mamata Banerjee, the absence of alliance between AAP and Congress is the main reason for the defeat of AAP by the BJP in the Delhi assembly elections. But nephew Abhishek Banerjee, party’s general secretary differs. He believes that even if such an alliance had been formed, it would not have made a significant impact. According to him, at best, the alliance could have influenced the results in four or five seats, but it would not have altered the overall outcome. After 27 years, the BJP has stormed to power in Delhi, winning 48 out of 70 seats. AAP secured 22 seats, while Congress for the third time failed to win any seat. Didi voiced that if Congress had been more flexible in seat-sharing with AAP, the results could have been different. She also cited Haryana as an example, arguing that just as AAP’s actions hurt Congress in Haryana, Congress did the same to AAP in Delhi. However, Abhishek maintained that public sentiment was the most crucial factor; Delhi voters wanted change, and AAP failed to effectively counter the BJP’s narrative. Referring to West Bengal’s example, Abhishek stated that when the BJP had claimed that the central government was sending funds, but the TMC was not distributing them to the people, TMC launched a counter-campaign, challenging the Centre to release a white paper on the funds. Although Didi blamed both Congress and AAP for the lack of an alliance, she made it clear that TMC would contest alone in Bengal and return to power with a two-thirds majority.

In Maharashtra, the three-party Opposition alliance Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will have to draw its roadmap afresh since tension is growing within the anti-BJP combine, whose only game plan is to oppose the ruling Mahayuti saffron alliance. But the picture for MVA is not too bright since the NCP led by Sharad Pawar does not have much space in the state politics although it performed well in the last Lok Sabha election. The state NCP president Jayant Patil has been holding the reins for the past decade but has been retained despite vociferous demands from the rank and file for his replacement. Pawar’s recent feelers to the NDA have not gone down well for MVA. On the other hand, the Sena led by Uddhav has been losing its leading lights with frightening regularity. Still, Uddhav is not seen ready to change his style of functioning. Continuous reports about his Lok Sabha MPs deserting the party have created grave apprehensions within the organization. The third MVA partner, the Congress has appointed a new state president by choosing the relatively unknown Harshwardhan Sapkal, a Maratha leader from Vidarbha. But there is no enthusiasm seen in the organization.  In short, the Opposition in Maharashtra is in a disarray and will have to mend its house soon to mount an effective challenge to the ruling dispensation. Not surprisingly, Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray’s decision to meet Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal but not Sharad Pawar has generated fresh speculation about the future of MVA.

India incorporated, particularly the Pharma and IT sectors (H1 B visas), can heave a collective sigh of relief and thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for averting a (trading) tariff war with the USA. Highly placed sources say Trump’s high praise for his Indian counterpart was the outcome of consistent backroom parleys over several months by NSA Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar for phenomenal and strategic business growth between the two nations the trajectory of which would be impacted adversely if tariffs were imposed upon India. “Reciprocal tariffs are unlikely for Indian exports from pharma sector ($7.55 bn in 2023), pearls/precious stones/metals/coins ($10.17 bn in 2023) and electrical and electronic equipment ($9.89 bn) like exporters of goods and (IT) services to America. India secured an exemption due to the exemplary foresight of PM Modi and his business acumen that seeks to propel India to reach the $5 trillion target even as early as 2028,” the source reveals. Unfair news media constantly compares the Indian economy with the USA and China although both are $20 trillion plus economies, the source adds. Indian exports witnessed steady incremental growth since 2015 ($40.3 bn), 2016 ($42 bn), 2017 ($46 bn), 2018 ($51.7 bn), 2019 ($54.3 bn), 2021 ($71.5 bn), 2022 ($80.2 bn), 2023 ($75.8 bn) with the exemption of the Covid-19 pandemic fallout impacting exports in 2020 of $49.3 bn. recording namaste. More importantly, India seeks to reduce its annual business imports from China sounds like sweet music for the U.S. president Trump.

As members we may not see them taking an active part inside the House. However, we now find both LoPs of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha have used the Parliament-in session as an excuse to skip an inaugural investor summit in Bengaluru.  Such a decision is odd, participation of both the leaders must have been confirmed in advance. As for the Budget debate, neither the leaders nor even those who participated in Budget discussions like either P Chidambaram or Dayanidhi Maran   ever bothered to listen to FM’s reply. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh posted on X that Kharge and Rahul Gandhi were unable to attend the ‘Invest Karnataka’ summit as they were tied in the Parliament’s Budget Session. He said both the leaders were extremely tied up on “account of the continuing debate on the Budget. Hence they have regretted their inability to attend the inauguration of the Karnataka Investor Summit.” They have sent their best wishes for the Summit and are confident that it will be a very productive and successful one in keeping with Karnataka’s unique competitive and comparative advantages.” It is not clear why Delhi leaders should hesitate to visit the state now with the MUDA scam against chief minister Siddaramaiah having receded into the background.  After a semblance of political stability was restored in the state, Karnataka Deputy chief minister D K Shivkumar seemed resigned to his fate and perhaps became the only Congress leader in high office who travelled to Prayagraj over last weekend with his family for a holy dip in Sangam. Guess, as far as the Congress high command was concerned, he realised he had nothing to lose but only his shackles!

Election strategist Prashant Kishor on Jan 10 had a three-hour meeting with actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay in Chennai and promised his “support and guidance” for the party’s victory in the 2026 assembly election. Kishor, who has floated a political party, Jan Suraaj, in Bihar, will take on the role of ‘special adviser’ to TVK. DMK had hired Kishor ahead of the 2021 assembly election, which it won and came to office after 10 years. “Kishor will be a ‘special adviser’ to TVK, though no formal technical agreements will be made,” said a source privy to the developments. Vijay is looking forward to periodic meetings with Kishor in the coming months as his party is keen on positioning itself against DMK and BJP, and setting the stage for an intense contest in 2026. Kishor continues to have his primary focus on politics in Bihar. Kishor would act as a special adviser to TVK similar to his role for TDP, which swept the 2024 Andhra Pradesh assembly elections. Incidentally, the meeting between Kishor and Vijay was facilitated by Aadhav Arjuna, who himself heads a political strategy firm, within a fortnight of the latter joining the TVK.  As founder of Voice of Commons and a political strategist, Arjuna had worked closely with Kishor when he was roped in by DMK for the 2021 assembly election. The meeting between the two and the outcome signify the importance Vijay attaches to the 2026 assembly polls, his first elections after a grand entry into politics in October 2024. Vijay has identified the BJP as his ideological enemy and DMK as his political enemy. Arjuna was suspended from Dalit outfit VCK following his outbursts against DMK.

Even as PM Modi promised to repay the trust Delhi voters placed in his party by vowing  to turn Delhi into a “developed capital of a developed country” and said he will fulfil BJP’s poll promises, clean the Yamuna and ensure accountability for corruption under the AAP regime by promising to present all pending 14 CAG reports in the  assembly, many within the party wondered if it was enough to oust AAP out of the  Delhi state assembly. Or more needs to be done. As Modi said “This is not an ordinary victory. The people of Delhi have driven out AAP-da. The mandate of Delhi is clear.” BJP insiders pointed out that when the new Delhi government will begin its work on making the city garbage free, it is quite possible that AAP could still put a roadblock on its work via the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). That is because AAP controls the MCD with its 134 councillors; the BJP has 104 councillors. Elections to the civic body were held in December 2022. A section in the BJP feels Modi government should go in for fresh MCD polls in the light of assembly poll win, if it must clean up Delhi. Party sources, however, feel there is no need for any drastic step as many AAP MLAs and councillors may want to cross over to the BJP seeing the public mood. Sources also acknowledged that the BJP hugely benefited getting the lion’s share — an estimated 67% of women’s vote. It was clearly the Haryana effect of Rs 2100 payout under Lado Lakshmi Yojana that had swung the Delhi women to the BJP. They were no longer enamoured by AAP’s free bus rides.

BJP’s Delhi win has bolstered its Lok Sabha plan to up the numbers from the earlier 272 target to 289 plus in coming days. Decks are being cleared to usher in three long pending legislations before Parliament to include Uniform Civil Code, Waqf Board reforms and finally the One Nation One Poll (ONOP) political reform. Several MPs from the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) Sena and Sharad Pawar led political formations are keen to enroll with BJP in Maharashtra but, Shiv Sena DCM Eknath Shinde and NCP DCM Ajit Pawar want to embrace them into respective party folds delaying the process. Giant killer of Delhi assembly elections Parvesh Verma (former Delhi CM Sahib Singh Verma’s son), a Jat leader, also credited with ensuring 12 assembly seat victories in Delhi, is frontrunner for CM’s post. “Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were the first to call, congratulate Verma immediately after his victory. Also, following the Haryana assembly win by BJP, influential Jat leadership was upset for being overlooked for CM’s post. Delhi may install Jat CM to compensate Haryana and build for Punjab and Bihar state assemblies,” a senior BJP leader says. Before the results the candidature of Dushyant Kumar Gautam, a senior BJP national general secretary was being considered as the Dalit CM face for Delhi but, Gautam lost a close fight for Karol Bagh seat to Vishesh Ravi of AAP by just under 8000 votes. Ravi clinched the seat twice before with winning margins exceeding 25000 each time.

Tennis buffs were happy to read the bold and interesting catchline — Larsen & Toubro: Celebrating Excellence in Women’s Tennis — at the tennis courts of South Mumbai’s sports-minded Cricket Club of India (CCI). India and the world’s top engineering, construction and manufacturing company, was the title sponsor, for the fourth year, of the “LT Mumbai Open” which is a Women’s Tennis Association’s (WTA) category 125 professional tournament that draws budding and experienced international players who aim for the 125 WTA points and move up the world rankings. The tournament also helps promising Indian players who are not among the top notch get a “wildcard” entry into the qualifiers and the main draw. The CCI was a superb venue for the event, but the week-long tournament — revived after six years — enabled a rookie Indian junior, Maaya Rajeshwarann Revathi to cut her teeth in the big league and make a terrific impact. Thanks to the L&T, CCI and the Tournament Director, Sunder Iyer, four Indians — Ankita Raina, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, Vaishnavi Adkar and Sahaja Yamalapalli — got a wildcard entry into the main draw of 32, and Maaya and Akanksha Nitture for the qualifier. But the young lass who impressed the most was the 15-year old from Coimbatore, Maaya who won two qualifier rounds and three main draw rounds to enter the semi-finals to be assured of 49 WTA points to enter the WTA world ranking list. She also earned a prize money of $ 5300. The week ending February 9 turned out to be path breaking for Maaya who trains at the Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy in Spain. Tennis needs more corporate patronage, just like the L&T ‘s support for the Mumbai Open.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has reaffirmed its stance on party discipline, taking decisive action against three leaders whose public statements embarrassed the party. However, the party’s inaction against three prominent actor-turned-legislators and parliamentarians despite their controversial remarks has raised questions about a perceived selective approach to discipline. TMC’s disciplinary committee acted against MLAs Humayun Kabir, Narayan Goswami and Madan Mitra. Kabir’s call to appoint the party’s National General Secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee as Deputy Chief Minister with control over the police department did not sit well with the leadership. Goswami faced scrutiny after making incoherent statements and singing at a public event. Mitra triggered controversy by accusing the party’s advisory agency, I-PAC, of extortion. All three leaders either faced show-cause notices or issued public apologies to mitigate the damage. However, the party has remained silent on controversial statements made by Chandipur MLA Soham Chakraborty and MPs Rachna Banerjee and Shatrughan Sinha. Soham contradicted the party’s official stance on the high-profile rape and murder case at R G Kar Medical College by suggesting that the convicted individual may not have acted alone. Sinha, on the other hand, stirred controversy by advocating for a nationwide ban on non-vegetarian food, aligning with the ideological stance of the BJP. The disciplinary committee’s swift response to one group of leaders while ignoring others raises questions about selective approach. Is the party hesitating to take action against its celebrity MPs due to their public appeal? Or is there an underlying strategy to maintain a delicate political balance?

Vizhinjam Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram is fast emerging as a key link between Asia and Europe with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world’s largest container shipping company by fleet size and cargo capacity, announcing its plans to make it a port of call. MSC’s Jade service, which connects Asia and Europe will now include a stop at Vizhinjam before continuing to the Mediterranean. This move would bring larger vessels with capacities ranging from 23,000 to 24,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). to dock at the port boosting its prospects. Since its inception in July 2024, Vizhinjam Seaport has handled 144 ships and 2,90,000 containers, showcasing the port’s increasing capacity and operational efficiency. Smaller MSC vessels have been primary contributors to its growth. This port has seen a steady rise in MSC ship calls. “We plan to increase the number of calls to 48 a month immediately, with a medium-term goal of reaching 60 calls per month. The projection will lead to having two MSC ships calling a Vizhinjam every day,” according to a MSC spokesman. Also, Vizhinjam International Transhipment Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport, Thiruvananthapuram, is replicating the success of Adani-run Mundra Port, Gujarat, by setting up a SEZ that will foster an industrial eco-system and port-led development. According to Harikrishnan Sundaram, head of container business at Adani Ports, the development of Vizhinjam Port has exceeded initial expectations by handling one million (TEUs) in its first year itself, an Indian record.  To sustain this growth Adani Ports plan to develop essential infrastructure including SEZs, logistics hubs and warehouses. He drew parallels with Jebel Ali Port which successfully created an eco-system supporting the UAE’s economic development.

In Bollywood a new trend is emerging. The traditional approach of the big launch of star kids via big screen is history. For instance, Saif Ali Khan’s son Ibrahim Ali Khan’s debut film Nadaaniyan will be released on Netflix with the usual marketing drive. According to film historian Dilip Thakur, “Gone are the days when big launches would happen for newcomers or star kids; the last big launch was that of Hrithik Roshan…that was 25 years ago.” There is not going to be any superstar with the advent of OTT culture and GenNext seems okay with it. Junaid Khan and Khushi Kapoor’s film Loveyapa is their first theatrical release; both have already made their debut on OTT with Maharaj and The Archies. Junaid’s father Aamir Khan is going around promoting them. Unlike Janhvi kapoor, Khushi had a rather quiet launch with The Archies but her acting prowess was noticed. Both are somewhere sure that they have been accepted and therefore fine with it. Thakur says the business of cinema is all about the first weekend and that the game is over unless it is Pushpa or a Pathaan.  Besides the exposure to OTT is more than the cinema and only spectacles are going to work in cinemas and the generation next knows it and is practical about it. Hypothetically, if they don’t make their cut in acting, the paparazzi culture has already made them influencers so they will be around in some form connected with Bollywood.

Non-government privately operated Indian agencies, in the sphere of education, healthcare, infrastructure and governance as well as undisclosed Indian nationals received huge financial outlays from USAID under the Biden administration in the USA. Allegations that USAID was a front for American governments of the past to undermine, engineer coups to change the political leadership across the globe have emerged now. USAID played during the Ukraine Maidan uprising of 2014, for instance, with leaked phone call conversations from February 2014 between the U.S. Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt and Victoria Nuland (Assistant Secretary of State, European and Eurasian Affairs) exposed American efforts to dislodge then Ukraine President to install U.S. preferential candidate (read Vladimir Zelensky) through a regime change operation. Similarly, high fund allocations to Indian entities including Gurugram-based Priyanka India Pvt Ltd ($238,560), SF&B INC ($18,989), Jefferson Consulting Group LLP ($129,477), New Delhi based Impact Investors Council ($ 14,567), Techno Relief (Overseas) India Pvt Ltd ($226,670), People’s Science Institute ($176,037) based out of Dehradun in Uttarakhand, Boland India E ($267,393) by USAID are under the lens. More intriguing is the huge fund allocations made under the head of miscellaneous foreign awardees (from India) distinct tranches ($4732; $16,750; $16, 200) besides several payouts to undisclosed American entities with allegedly close India ties ($783,736; $15,823; $188,100; $176,665; $218,084; $214,103; $237,271.51; $368,466; $324,686; $529,142.98). Actor Sonam Kapoor’s husband’s firm as also Tata Communications (formerly VSNL) were also similarly funded $18,906 by USAID as now revealed. Indian agencies are keen to know the nature of inputs provided by these social sector agencies to the government for policy formulation.

The antics of Tamil Nadu Congress MP Manickam Tagore have not gone unnoticed in the wake of the Delhi poll results. Displaying what was clearly his delight at the AAP taking a tumble in the Delhi elections, the MP had posted on X just two words – ‘Delhi Results’ – along with a video of Arvind Kejriwal declaring that there be no tie-up in Delhi. While schadenfreude is understandable, what the post tries to make is a case that Kejriwal was to blame for the Congress not agreeing to adjustments and the grand old party going ahead to contest in all 70 seats and playing the spoiler. In fact, it was Congress, which often accused the AAP of being the BJP’s B team, ended up playing the role of ‘BJP B’ in the Delhi polls by clearly affecting the results in 14 seats, including that of Kejriwal, and turning the contest around for a BJP sweep. If the INDIA alliance had been in place and Congress contested only a few seats to keep up its Delhi identity and poll ambitions, the verdict may have been totally different with the AAP prevailing in a close contest. What happened in the end was that Congress scored a triple bagel – 000 – in three successive Delhi polls and Kejriwal lost power and Congress spokespersons were looking at the crumbs of the poll verdict and predicting the party’s comeback in 2030.

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has described the BJP’s spectacular victory in Delhi assembly election as one more example of Ek hai toh Safe hai. Welcoming the verdict, Fadnavis recalled how Maharashtra voters had supported the NDA in the recent assembly election, scripting the first instance of Ek hai toh safe hai after BJP’s poor show in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Fadnavis explained how the BJP had lost the Dhule Lok Sabha seat since it had hardly received any votes in the Malegaon assembly segment in which Muslims are in majority. In all the five other segments, the BJP was leading but had to accept defeat due to the substantial anti-BJP voting in Malegaon alone. He termed it as the ‘Love Jihad’ effect and said a dozen Lok Sabha seats were lost by the NDA due to the same reason. Fadnavis said that for the assembly election, PM Narendra Modi toured Maharashtra and spread the message of Ek hai toh safe hai and the impact was magical. After Maharashtra, the message has shown its power in Delhi, he observed. Fadnavis had campaigned in the national capital assembly election, too. He had held several meetings in the Marathi-speaking population of Delhi and mobilised their support. The CM has ridiculed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for alleging that a sudden spurt in the registration of new voters was noticed in Maharashtra just before assembly polls. He advised Rahul to introspect and learn to accept the popular mandate.  

Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare has hit out at AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and held him responsible for his party’s resounding defeat in Delhi assembly election while analysing the pro-BJP outcome in the national capital. Anna said about his one-time ardent disciple that Kejriwal was influenced by power and money so much that he was not ready to listen to alarm signals voiced time and again against his style of functioning. Anna’s recent video clip, released on the eve of the election, had told Kejriwal in no uncertain terms to mend his ways. The message was mostly ignored by the media though shortpost.in had uploaded a news item about it just before the polling. Reiterating his stand, Anna said after the results were declared, “Ideology and actions should be pure in public life. An individual should not carry any stigma so that the electors develop confidence in that leader. I repeatedly conveyed this message to AAP but it was ignored.” An exasperated Anna had asked the voters not to support AAP in this clip. In fact, there are many in Maharashtra who feel smug, ridiculing Anna and supporting Kejriwal. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged Anna’s stand while addressing a BJP victory rally in party headquarters in Delhi. Modi also focused on AAP’s corruption by pointing out that all its top leaders had been in custody. Modi said Anna’s anti-graft crusade had catapulted Kejriwal to become the Delhi CM and expressed happiness that Anna’s stand had been endorsed by the people of Delhi. “Finally, Anna has been liberated from the AAP shroud,” the PM said to a huge applause.

Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi is firing on all cylinders as he is in a hurry to cross several milestones. Plans are afoot to set up a new city near Bhubaneswar. In fact, his development basket for Odisha now goes beyond ‘Viksit Gaon-Viksit Odisha’ (Developed Village, Developed Odisha) scheme for which Rs 5,000 crore has been earmarked to be spent over the next five years. Majhi, it is learnt, is putting pressure on District Collectors to deliver quick results; toward meeting this objective he has asked the District Collectors to submit a prospective development plan of villages block-wise to his office by February 18. Besides this, the CM has outlined Greater Bhubaneswar Economic Region (GBER) plan. He is now adding Puri and Paradeep to Cuttack and Bhubaneswar encompassing a sustainable economic zone spanning 8,500 sq km creating a size greater than Bengaluru and Chennai metropolitan areas. This ambitious Greater Bhubaneswar project having one of the largest urban development initiatives in Odisha’s history is aimed to transform the region into a major economic hub as Odisha aims to be a developed state by 2036.

The rout of the AAP in Delhi assembly polls was best summed up by PM Modi on X: “Development wins, good governance triumphs. It is our guarantee that we will leave no stone unturned in improving the overall quality of life for the people and ensuring that Delhi has a prime role to play in building a Viksit Bharat”. For the  BJP which rode to power in Delhi after a gap of 27 years with 48 seats win on the basis of Modi’s guarantees, home minister Amit Shah’s hard work and the unstinted support of RSS network, the results were more or less on expected lines .The Congress which half-heartedly went into the electoral battle at the eleventh hour drew a blank for the third time. INDIA bloc partners like J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah and Samajwadi Party were blaming the Congress for lack of unity in the Opposition alliance. A miffed Congress leader Jairam Ramesh insisted that “2025 Delhi Vidhan Sabha election results reflect nothing more than a referendum on Arvind Kejriwal and his 12 years of misrule.”  and asserted that it was not a vindication of the policies of PM Modi as the AAP had decisively won in Delhi in 2015 and 2020 at the height of the PM’s popularity”. Clearly the Congress which propped up Kejriwal when he was short of numbers in 2013 after defeating Sheila Dikshit to keep out BJP is getting defensive. It is quite possible some of AAP’s top losers like Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Saurabh Bharadwaj may have been spared the defeat if there had been a AAP-Congress alliance. BJP’s Parvesh Verma polled 30,088 votes against Kejriwal’s 25,999 while Congress’s Sandeep Dikshit polled 4568. Sisodia’s defeat by 600 odd votes was more stark. He had shifted his constituency from Patparganj to Jangpura to avoid defeat.