As soon as India’s military confirmed for the first time that it lost an unspecified number of fighter jets in clashes with Pakistan in May, while saying the four-day conflict never came close to the point of nuclear war, there was some jubilation and relief in the Congress. The party without going into the nuances of what Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of Indian Armed Forces Anil Chauhan had made in his conversation with Bloomberg TV saw it as a vindication of what Rahul Gandhi has been asking from Day One about Operation Sindoor– which is about loss of jets. To amplify the admission made by the CDS in Singapore, it rushed Telangana Minister Uttam Reddy, a former IAF officer, to brag before the media how Rahul had been right all along. In the TV interview, CDS Anil Chauhan made it clear that it was not that important jets being down,”but why they were being down.” The CDS was attending the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. At the same time, Chauhan called Pakistan’s claims that it shot down six Indian warplanes as “absolutely incorrect” though declined to specify how many jets India lost. “Why they were down, what mistakes were made…that is important” General Chauhan said. “The good part is that we are able to understand the tactical mistake which we made, remedy it, rectify it, and then implement it again after two days and flew all our jets again, targeting at long range,” he added. The comments are the most direct yet from an Indian government or military official. Elated with Gen Chauhan’s disclosures, Uttam Reddy said, “As it appears very clearly, Rafale aircraft were shot down in the 4-day operations…CDS General Anil Chauhan confirmed this. The government of India should now stop denying this…”

Legendary freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar is back in focus since mixed responses are surfacing in relation to his historic contribution to the freedom struggle. The Congress party and its leader Rahul Gandhi had been the most vocal critics of Savarkar and his ardent Hindutva philosophy. Of late, there is silence on this front though stray adverse comments are heard. In a bid to rekindle its earlier policy, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has started singing the Hindutva tune. To pay homage to Savarkar, the Maharashtra government has decided to make efforts to restore his legal degree, Barrister, which the British had withdrawn after his arrest and conviction in 1910. The then Bombay University had withdrawn Savarkar’s graduation degree but it has now been restored. Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced that a study and research centre in the name of Savarkar will be opened in Mumbai University’s Kalina campus. He said a provision of Rs 100 crore will be made for the purpose. Moreover, a statue of Savarkar will be erected in the premises as well. These decisions have been announced in the wake of the visit of Union home minister Amit Shah a couple of days ago. Owing to the BJP’s initiative, the other parties are compelled to fall in line. The Hindutva agenda had benefited the BJP-led Mahayuti in the assembly election held late last year by giving it an unprecedented mandate. The same formula is being used with Savarkar in focus.  

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has started following in the footsteps of veteran leader Sharad Pawar, it seems, since it is becoming difficult to predict his next steps. His many statements are such that they can be interpreted in different ways. The latest instance is the fulsome praise he has heaped on Pawar while at the same time indirectly taunting his both deputies, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. In a media interaction, Fadnavis said that Pawar keeps on working even at this age, never bothering about victory or defeat. There won’t be any match to him, the CM said. Replying to a question about his both deputies, Fadnavis remarked that neither was good in communication. But he hurriedly said he was speaking in the lighter vein. The CM’s observation assumes significance against the backdrop of the all-out support of the Modi government by Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule, who is heading an all-party MP delegation abroad to propagate India’s stand on Operation Sindoor. At the same time, the more frequent dialogue between Ajit Pawar and his uncle is also sending another set of signals. To top it all, BJP leaders have been declaring at every opportunity that their party will fight the coming local body elections in tandem with Ajit’s NCP and Shinde’s Shiv Sena. One definite angle that is emerging is that the Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray is most uncomfortable. It has blamed Fadnavis for this situation.

As the nation is gung ho about Operation Sindoor, there is a major political battle about who carried out the first surgical strike on Pakistan? Was it done when the Congress was in office? Or when PM Modi took charge? Congress MP Shashi Tharoor sparked off a controversy with his remark that India’s first across Line of Control (LoC) surgical strike occurred in 2016 after PM Modi came to power. The Indian Army’s records also seem to support Tharoor’s assertion, the Congress quickly distanced itself from his statement. In 2016, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, the then-Army Northern Command Chief, stated that the September 2016 surgical strikes were a “first” of their kind. According to Tharoor, the Uri strike in September 2016 marked a significant shift in India’s approach, where the country breached the LoC to conduct a surgical strike on a terror base. He further noted that the Balakot strike in February 2019 took it a step further, crossing not only the LoC but also the international border to target terrorist headquarters. Tharoor is leading an Indian delegation to the U.S. and four other countries as part of the Centre’s global outreach in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera has been posting on X about how surgical strikes were carried out during the UPA era too and tagging Tharoor on these posts. He also cited Tharoor’s book The Paradoxical Prime Minister published in 2018 where he had questioned the “shameless exploitation” of the 2016 surgical strikes along the LOC with Pak by the Modi government which the Congress had never done. Strongly disapproving of Tharoor, Jairam Ramesh responded to one of the posts by Khera with a poetic swipe at Tharoor saying,”Oh what a tangled web we weave, when we first practice to deceive… “

In a sharp counterattack to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent address in West Bengal’s Alipurduar, chief minister Mamata Banerjee has challenged the PM to a live TV debate—teleprompter and all—and dared the BJP to call early elections in the state. Modi’s address, widely seen as the start of the BJP’s campaign for the 2026 Assembly elections, took aim at Mamata, branding her “Nirmam” (merciless) while highlighting recent communal violence in Murshidabad and Malda, the Supreme Court’s scrapping of teaching posts which left over 25,000 teachers jobless, and accusing her government of blocking Central government’s schemes. Hitting back, Didi accused the PM of engaging in “political Holi” at the expense of national interests. She dismissed his “Operation Bengal” remarks as an insult to the people of the state and pointed out that her nephew, TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, was part of an MP delegation meeting global leaders—signalling her party’s commitment to protecting the nation’s interests internationally. Didi also slammed the Centre’s political motives behind naming the post-Pahalgam operation. She mocked Modi for his transformation from a self-proclaimed tea-seller to what she described as a “sindoor salesman,” a dig at his remarks that she interpreted as disrespectful to the women of Bengal. Mamata claimed that she had instructed her leaders to avoid commentary on “Operation Sindoor” despite its provocative nature. She accused the PM of spending more time on foreign trips than on India’s pressing issues and criticized what she called the erosion of federalism under Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s watch, branding him the country’s “acting Prime Minister.”

This is a common evolution in India. The Mahabharata has chronicled numerous such succession feuds as the forerunner of family groups. The latest feud is in the party of Dr S Ramadoss, founder of the Vanniyar caste party, PMK in 1989. His son Dr Anbumani’s action has made the patriarch lament in Shivaji Ganesan style “…the very son whom I loved and groomed is now kicking me on my chest”. Thanks to his father Dr Anbumani became the youngest Health Minister in Dr Manmohan Singh’s cabinet in 2004. But, in the past one year the internecine strife in PMK has come out in the open. The bone of contention seems be to Dr Ramadoss succession plan. He appointed his grandson (daughter’s progeny) Mukundan as the Youth Wing General Secretary. But Anbumani had other plans; he wanted to take over the party in toto and call the shots. It’s the same old story …a father wanting undiluted power over the progeny, and a son wanting to inherit the party which he has grown with his network. Of late, Anbumani (who has perennially ached for TN CMship) has become restive and influenced many cadres to not attend formal party meets called by the father. Add to this his wife Sowmya’s proximity to BJP and the political alchemy has turned explosive. The final nail in the coffin, Ramadoss senior alleges that in one of the family fights, the son hurled a bottle at his mother. The PMK has held sway in North Tamil Nadu and as a force cannot be ignored by any political parties for alliances. But could this family discord dismantle it. Will Dr Anbumani make amends with his father to salvage PMK? Dharmakshetra Kurukshetra.

Trust TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee to invest in Opposition politics and keep the INDIA bloc going. In fact, the Congress which fancies itself as the natural leader of this grouping may not even know what is quietly happening in the backyard. Well, the West Bengal CM took time off from her hectic schedule to catch up with her old friend Lalu Yadav, who was celebrating the birth of his grandson — born to RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and his wife Rajshree on May 27 at a private hospital at Park Street in Kolkata. Mamata dropped by to congratulate the happy parents on the birth of their second child and also catch up with happy grandparents – Rabri Devi and Lalu Yadav — who had shared the happy news on X. “This is such happy news for the family…I wish them all the very best for the upcoming (Assembly) polls (in Bihar) as well…. I am quite certain that the child will bring good luck to them,” Mamata was quoted as saying in the media. Lalu shared pictures of family members with the newborn on X. Tejashwi and Rajshree have a two-year-old daughter, Katyayani. Mamata and Lalu — both former Union railway ministers — have been close since their time together in Parliament. Tejashwi was among a select few in the INDIA bloc whom Mamata trusted as an ally, and the RJD and Trinamool have firmly endorsed each other politically on most key issues in recent memory. “Tejashwi’s wife has been here for nine months. We have been in regular touch with the family. Tejashwi texted me at 6.14am with the good news,” Mamata was quoted as saying.

The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) was up and quick as it unveiled its list of candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from Tamil Nadu, confirming that Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief and veteran actor Kamal Haasan will be among the nominees. It also extended to the veteran actor the courtesy of allowing him to contest on his party symbol. The DMK’s other candidates include senior advocate and sitting MP P Wilson, renowned Tamil poet-writer Salma, and party leader SR Sivalingam. Interestingly, poet-writer Salma is believed to be close to DMK Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi. Allocating one of its four Rajya Sabha seats to accommodate Kamal Haasan of MNM by the DMK is interesting as it shows that it kept the promise it made to the actor. Haasan, who had floated MNM, had campaigned extensively for the DMK alliance in the run-up to 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The Election Commission had declared that biennial elections to fill six vacant Rajya Sabha seats from TN will be conducted on July 19.  These vacancies arise due to the completion of the terms of six incumbent members — Anbumani Ramadoss, M Shanmugam, N Chandrasegharan, M Mohammed Abdulla, P Wilson, and Vaiko—whose tenures end on July 25. Of its retiring MPs, the DMK has chosen to retain only advocate P Wilson and brought in at least three fresh faces –SR Shivalingam, writer Salma and actor Kamal Haasan.

With the Election Commission announcing elections for six Rajya Sabha seats in the MLA quota from Tamil Nadu to be held on June 19, the race for bagging party nominations has apparently heated up in Chennai. Though the DMK and AIADMK alliances are expected to retain the same number of seats they currently hold in the Rajya Sabha, political circles are abuzz with speculation about who will succeed the outgoing members. Sources claim that since DMK had promised actor Kamal Haasan a Rajya Sabha seat before Lok Sabha elections, it may accommodate him this year. No official announcement has been made so far but the only hitch seems to be a race of sorts between Kamal Haasan and former editor of The Hindu N Ram for one of the four seats the DMK alliance is guaranteed to win. With Ram emerging as the contender, it is being said, things could be tricky as both are Iyengar Brahmins. In an election year the DMK can’t be seen giving RS seats to Brahmins. Ram is viewed as being very close to the chief minister MK Stalin. Ram is seen walking with him in the morning. As for the remaining two DMK-alliance seats, sources indicate that the DMK may continue to allot Vaiko’s seat to either Vaiko himself or another senior leader from the party. For the last seat, currently held by R Shanmugam, who represents the DMK-affiliated Labour Progressive Federation, sources say it might again be given to a trade union representative. It will also be interesting to know who will get nominated from the PMK seat given the internal rift between PMK Chief S Ramadoss and his son Anbumani Ramadoss, political observers say the chances of Anbumani being renominated are slim.

One swallow does not make a summer! However, the Supreme Court Bar Association’s resolution against officially hosting the farewell party for retiring judge Bela M Trivedi immediately followed by protocol faux pas at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai’s felicitation function in Maharashtra, reinforces cited idiom while suggesting sharp fall of Indian judicial standards. The fact that the burning cash at Supreme Court justice Yashwant Verma’s residence hasn’t been translated into a FIR as yet, well after the Supreme Court sought report into the matter was submitted into apparent judicial cold storage has begun eroding judicial faith across India. Justice Bela Trivedi’s farewell was still attended by a full courtroom to include even the SCBA Chief Kapil Sibal, notwithstanding the resolution to deny her the formally due adieu. That Sibal chose to cite her lack of empathy when he sought it for a UAPA accused client couldn’t have been more out of place particularly in the wake of Pakistani terror that failingly sought to dampen public spirit through the Pahalgam attack upon innocent domestic tourists. Even CJI Gavai’s felicitation function not being attended by Maharashtra’s chief secretary and Mumbai’s police commissioner came like a double whammy for the judiciary being only the second Dalit justice to be appointed to the top post of the Apex Court. His late father RS Gavai was the founder of the Republican Party of India based out of Maharashtra emphasizing the Amedkarism doctrine against casteism in India. The two apparent instances of patriarchy and casteism were explained as actually being borne out due to Justice Trivedi’s judicial strictness and inadvertently missing in action (read absent) government officials at the CJI’s felicitation function. Will the burning cash case also be similarly brushed off? Now, that would be truly wishful thinking!

The French reluctance over sharing source code data for India’s Rafale fleet of 36 fighter jets saw PM Narendra Modi turning to Russia for fine-tuning 16 indigenously developed “Kaveri” turbofan engines (currently being tested on modified Ilyushin 11-76 aircraft in Russia). India is now reconsidering further purchase of 26 Rafale Marine jets while looking at the Sukhoi Su-57 Felon Russian fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter as the alternative given President Vladimir Putin’s willingness to share technology, jointly collaborate to develop ‘Made in India’ production lines with deeper source code access. In modern fighter aircraft source code refers to software for effective control over mission-critical systems to include radar, electronic warfare, target acquisition and weapons release systems. Rather than depending upon recalcitrant France for every software patch or operational change resulting in limitations of weapons integration particularly, Indian-make or importer weapons, Putin’s sweet-heart deal to develop India’s stealth bomber with super manoeuvrability and advance avionics is being pursued by PM Modi who was also offered the upgraded S-500 systems in joint collaboration by President Putin last week. Further to the weapons and upgraded missile defence systems, Russia has also upped the ante on its crude oil exports to India with further rationalized tariff for Brent with India’s imports from that country now standing at 41% of its total annual oil flow. India will now procure 110 mega oil carriers to ensure a seamless flow of continuous oil slide from Russia, a tested and proven ally for decades now.

Several Congress leaders are worried about Rahul Gandhi’s approach towards the government on Operation Sindoor. They believe Rahul’s views are significantly damaging the party’s image as he is obsessed with attacking PM Modi on all issues. Though he is not directly attacking the PM but throwing barbs at External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, party leaders believe Rahul is distraught that Modi did not consider his status as the leader of the opposition (LoP) and did not ask him to lead a delegation of MPs for global outreach. He feels his status is equivalent to that of late PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee who had represented India as LoP in a crucial meeting of UNHRC in Geneva in the 90s. It seems even Mallikarjun Kharge was equally disappointed that as Rajya Sabha LoP he did not get the honour. Instead, the Modi government preferred to include those who had closely worked with the MEA or had articulated sensible views on foreign policy like Manish Tewari. It is being said that as soon as the names were out a flustered RaGa aide had even tried to lecture a senior member of the all-party panel that he must now conduct himself and not toe the government line. The senior Congress leader firmly told the caller– that in such foreign policy missions there is only one line –that is the India line. It is this subtlety that seems to be lost on the likes of Rahul Gandhi and Kharge. Congress sources said it is frustration that is driving Kharge to describe Operation Sindoor as a “chutput war”. More than the war, what is worrying Congress is that Rahul Gandhi is in the grip of two advisers he had recently recruited. Party feels he has gone haywire ever since.

An unstated factor in the electoral alliances of Tamil Nadu is that of funding. It is well-known in political circles that the Dravidian parties are a bit more evolved in the sense they are prepared to fund the election campaigns of smaller allies. This may be the reason why TN parties are keener on allying with the DMK or the AIADMK that are flush with party funds and do not mind spending some of it on campaigns whereas the national ruling party BJP is known to be reluctant to do so. Another unstated number is the amount per seat that the Dravidian majors are prepared to spend to give their alliances a better chance. The cash-for-vote is a far more refined process here than in other states even if it started very late, in 2009, in a bypoll that became famous as the “Thiumangalam Formula” whereby individual voters were given money or gifts. A WikiLeaks document of 2011 read, “From paying to dig a community well to slipping cash into an envelope delivered inside the morning newspaper, politicians and their operatives admitted to violating election rules to influence voters.” The money gets spread over 234 constituencies in assembly elections, making it tougher for the EC to catch loads of it, as they do in bypolls. The contests for key seats in assembly polls are known for the generosity of candidates in showering voters with cash and gifts. If some minor parties are yet to declare their alliances for the 2026 polls, it can be assumed that they are merely waiting to know how much they can expect or extract from the majors.

The all-party delegation led by Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MP Supriya Sule to propagate India’s stand concerning Operation Sindoor has started on a positive note. Sule has once again emphasized that for her party, the nation is first, the state second, then the party and finally the family. This is considered a message for the Congress party in particular and the crumbling INDIA front in general. Supriya’s father Sharad Pawar has already made it clear that domestic politics should not have any bearing on the nation’s interests, especially in the international arena. He had expressed this opinion to convey to the Shiv Sena (UBT) that he was not on the same page with it as far as Operation Sindoor was concerned. Of late, there have been consistent media reports that Pawar is likely to reach an understanding with his nephew Ajit Pawar in a bid to merge both factions of the NCP, which he founded in 1999. Ajit has split the party and the larger chunk of the organization is behind him. On the other hand, elder Pawar is in constant touch with PM Modi amidst reports that Supriya will be entrusted with a major portfolio in the Union cabinet as and when some pact is sealed between the two sides. Significantly, the NCP(SP) has refrained from making any adverse comments about Operation Sindoor or Modi.

Alliance partners Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena (SS) and the BJP seem to be flexing over seats in the run-up to the prestigious Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections in four months. The BMC is a high-stake election for both — while the BJP’s never had its own mayor thus far in Mumbai, for Shinde it’s a chance to chart out his own space. The BJP is aiming for 150 seats with Mission 150 proclaimed as its mission statement, Shinde is targeting 100 seats in the 227-strength of the BMC where 114 seats are needed to reach a majority. Shinde publicly claims the support of 65 corporators and is actively wooing ex-corporators beyond Uddhav Thackeray’s Sena. Shinde’s Sena has already started holding meetings with current and ex-corporators wooing them with promises of funds for works from his urban development and housing ministry and even from the District Planning and Development Committee (DPDC), where being guardian minister of Mumbai City he is its chairman. Beyond the trappings of power, Shinde also holds the advantage of being an accessible leader unlike Uddhav Thackeray, a fact which he keeps harping on. Uddhav, who held the highest tally of 84 corporators that later extended to 90, had the BJP closely following him with 82 corporators, is now fighting them back with conciliatory notes to his cousin Raj Thackeray, who had seven corporators.

In the last few days OBC politics has heated up in Odisha. This is because Mohan Charan Majhi’s cabinet has now played the Socially and Economically backward classes (SEBC) quota card which is now stoking both Opposition and public’s attention. It is premature to assess whether caste matrix will play a big role in Odisha politics, what is clear is both Congress and BJD are now geared towards building a new narrative to keep BJP under pressure henceforth. The scenario in Bhubaneswar near the Governor’s House seems to be a replay of Mandal Commission era packed. The leaders and cadres from both BJD and Congress parties are camping here demanding a 27% reservations quota card for OBC, SC and ST students, citing it as a constitutional right which is followed by the rest of India.  The BJP government headed by Majhi government has approved only 11.25% for SEBC. The Opposition parties are saying that the SEBC quota does not extend to professional courses and that the percentage is not proportionate to population. Informed sources say this agitation could spread to other parts of the state. In retaliation to BJD’s aggressive posture, BJP’s state president Manmohon Samal has ignited another fire by stating that during Biju Patnaik’s (Naveen’s father) rule, he had challenged the reservation system in the Supreme Court. Effectively, he seems to be asking Naveen babu why this change of heart. 

Worried by the absence of any firm signal from other INDIA front constituents, the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray has decided to once again try the Marathi Card for the coming local body elections, due later this year in Maharashtra. The Congress and the NCP led by Sharad Pawar have time and again expressed dissent with Sena’s outbursts against the so-called ‘outsiders’ and not responded to its call for contesting the elections as a team. Sena MP Sanjay Raut has appealed to the followers to consider the consequences if his party loses the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other local body elections. Raut’s impassioned appeal has the backdrop of various recent developments within his organization and the confusing response by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray to the feelers sent by Uddhav Sena about coming together. The next course of Maharashtra politics will largely depend upon the outcome of the local elections since the clout of various top leaders will be tested through this mandate. The NDA led by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced that these elections will be faced by the BJP, the Sena led by Eknath Shinde and the NCP led by Ajit Pawar as a team. The inclusion of powerful OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal has added to the vigour of the NDA while the Sena (UBT) is plagued by frequent desertions by some of its ardent workers to the faction led by Shinde. Alarmed by such factors, the Sena (UBT) has decided to reignite the Marathi Card campaign. 

Was Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray unaware of the inclusion of his party’s Rajya Sabha member Priyanka Chaturvedi in an all-party team visiting various countries to explain India’s side regarding Operation Sindoor? It is now learnt that Priyanka herself informed Uddhav about her selection for the foreign tours by Parliamentary Affairs minister Kiren Rijiju. This created a problem since Uddhav wished to send his trusted lieutenant Anil Desai, who had been elected from central Mumbai to the Lok Sabha. When Uddhav told her that it was his right to select a party nominee for the visits, Priyanka sensed a threat to her opportunity and urged Rijiju to intercede and persuade Uddhav, who finally relented after the minister called up with the request. This has upset Desai as this is the second occasion to miss the bus for him. In 2014, he was a Rajya Sabha member. Following Uddhav’s message, he flew to Delhi to take oath as a member of the Union council of ministers under Narendra Modi but was summoned to return to Mumbai forthwith instead. Desai thus landed in Delhi and took a return flight to Mumbai. The reason for this sudden change has not been divulged so far. The other Uddhav confidant to feel abandoned is MP Sanjay Raut, who had dismissed the Indian government’s initiative as a tourism gimmick aimed at diverting attention from the main issues. He was chided for this stand by veteran leader Sharad Pawar, who told Raut not to mix internal politics with national outreach abroad.

The unbearable summer heat and humidity quotient in Tamil Nadu were further intensified by the fierce exchange between chief minister MK Stalin and AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), even as Stalin took off to participate in the NITI Aayog meet. Viral watchers had a field time lapping up this internecine exchange. EPS reminded his bête noire about how Stalin had thundered about boycotting NITI Aayog for not giving TN its dues in funds. What turned the wheels now? EPS scorched …this sudden urge to fly to Delhi is not for TN but saving his family. Remember his late father and the 2G rescue mission? Stalin is all set to open a white truce umbrella for the family rescue. Stalin is talking about a mystery Thambi (younger brother). Who is this Thambi he wants to save? The CM, no novice at cutting edge filmi dialogue, gave it back. Edappadi has not changed from his fabled ambulatory mode …crawling and creeping to clasp feet. So why carp and crow about my visit?  It took just one raid for his party to strike an alliance with BJP and float the white flag manoeuvre. Stalin’s repartee, this hand which has waved the Red and Black DMK flag, a super emblem of scholars and statesmen, Arignar Anna and Kalaignar, will never creep and crawl for favours. His dialogue could be straight out of the cult classic Parasakti which took both Karunanidhi and Shivaji Ganesan to dizzying heights of artistic popularity. Meanwhile EPS is still asking the question “Who is this shadow superman…the charismatic Thambi hailed by you and your son? Has he flown the coop? If you have guts and integrity reveal Thambi’s identity”. The people of TN want to know.

A fresh political controversy has erupted in Maharashtra after around Rs 1.80 crore was seized by the police from a government guest house in Dhule. The stash is alleged to be linked to Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) MLA Arjun Khotkar, who has denied any connection with the cash. The seizure took place after former MLA and Sena (UBT) leader Anil Gote staged a sit-in protest outside the room in which the money was kept. Gote has said that the funds were collected from contractors to be passed on to members of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly’s Estimates Committee during its visit to Dhule-Nandurbar districts. The money was kept in a room booked in the name of Kishor Patil, personal assistant of Committee chairman, Arjun Khotkar, who was a minister during the first stint of Devendra Fadnavis as chief minister. While Fadanvis has announced the setting up of a special team to investigate the matter, Patil has been suspended from the legislature’s service. Gote has remained a controversial figure in north Maharashtra politics. Initially a dashing journalist, he later started working under farmers’ leader Sharad Joshi but parted ways after some time. Gote was close to then BJP boss Gopinath Munde and was elected to the assembly once as a candidate of that party from Dhule. However, the relationship was short-lived. The Estimates Committee visits various on-going government projects and formulates a report based on its observations. The report is vital for the contractors executing the projects since the disbursements towards the work done by them depends upon the Committee’s remarks. Thus, hundreds of crore rupees are involved in the entire chain.

In an interesting political twist in Karnataka politics, Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar made a large-hearted move and defended his colleague Home Minister G Parameshwara for giving money — transferring Rs 40 lakhs to actor Ranya Rao, the main accused in the gold smuggling case. This was unexpected as Parameshwara had only appealed to CM Siddaramaiah for help. DKS supporters are pleased that at least one of the obstacles to DKS succeeding Siddaramaiah as CM by end of 2025 has been tamed with this gesture. Encouraged by Siddaramaiah, Parameshwara had been opposing DKS’s elevation, projecting himself as the most suitable candidate to be Karnataka’s first Dalit CM. He suffered a significant setback after the ED began conducting raids on educational institutions owned by him on May 21. The raids are linked to a financial transaction in which money was transferred to Ranya Rao’s account from one of Parameshwara’s institutions. DKS said Parameshwara had given money as a gift. DKS more than clarified…he even went on to give Parameshwara a clean chit saying it wasn’t possible for his institutions to fund illegal activities. DKS, as KPCC chief, visited Parameshwara. “He told me he had given Rs 15 to 25 lakh. We are all in public life. Many of us run trusts. During weddings and other occasions, it is common to give gifts.” Sources reveal that the educational trust associated with Parameshwara allegedly paid off actor Ranya Rao’s credit card bill of Rs 40 lakh. The bill was reportedly cleared following instructions from an influential individual. She is now under intense scrutiny, with hawala operators confessing to purchasing gold from her. Fearing the worst, Parameshwara called on Siddaramaiah to explain his position.

Is Mamata Banerjee changing her approach towards PM Modi? There has been speculation within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) that her nephew and party national general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, is advising her to tone down her criticism of the PM and the BJP, as he believes the ED and CBI are closing in on him in various corruption cases. For some time now, Mamata’s directive to TMC leaders not to make any personal comments against Modi has been followed by them. Abhishek has been particular that the TMC should not appear to be disallowing the BJP from functioning as an Opposition party by using police and administration. The latest episode involving Abhishek joining one of the MPs’ delegations for global outreach after Operation Sindoor has caused a surprise. A day after Didi withdrew her MP, Yusuf Pathan, who had been named by the government, from a multi-party delegation, she nominated Abhishek to replace him. This was after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju reached out to Mamata to “pacify her”. Mamata is learnt to have told Rijiju that the Centre should have consulted the party instead of unilaterally picking Pathan. After Rijiju’s call, she also announced that a five-member team will visit Srinagar, Poonch and Rajouri to express solidarity with the people affected by cross-border shelling by Pakistan. She is sending Rajya Sabha MPs like Derek O Brien and Sagarika Ghose to J&K. It is being said Mamata withdrew Yusuf Pathan from the delegation only because she hasn’t been happy with him. She had found the former cricketer who hails from Gujarat is an absentee MP. He was nowhere to be seen in the aftermath of Murshidabad violence. He is apparently getting away only because of his proximity to influential bhaipo Abhishek.

The familiar image of Mohan Charan Majhi being an honest simple tribal chief minister of Odisha does not fly any more. His performance scorecard is slipping and he has a lot of catching up to do in respect of promise versus performance. Sources say he is missing in the areas of swift action covering many disciplines namely, revenue earnings, central grants, addressing local inflation concerns, commanding leadership, quick deliverance and service to the people as yet.. Majhi, it is learnt, has realised his shortcomings. This explains why he has warned government officers to shape up or face dismissal recently. Political commentator Ruben Banerjee says Majhi is under pressure to deliver results. According to Banerjee, during Naveen Patnaik’s BJD regime the Odisha government’s tax collection had increased by over 16.91% in 2024-25 but under BJP rule it has increased by only 3.65%. In respect to minerals and mines revenue, BJD had increased it by 29.37% in 2023-2024 but this year 2024-25 under Majhi government the revenue is down by -3.66%. There is a perception that the Odisha government earns a decent sum via mining activities but it does not seem currently. During BJD’s rule in 2023-24 it had increased by 19.67% but under BJP in 2024-25 it is minus -9.69 %. Likewise, revenue collection from iron ore mines has also dropped.

Last week Neeraj Chopra threw the javelin past the 90m mark – 90.33 metre in Doha – for the first time in his already spectacular career and got the monkey off his back. The 27-year old 6 footer from Haryana, Chopra will be better placed now onwards to achieve more such 90 metre plus results.  A niggle had seen him come up short at the Paris Olympics last year; the muscular Pakistani Arshad Nadeem killed the field in Paris for the gold medal with a supreme effort of 92.97 metres. Chopra ‘s 89.45m won him the silver. But 10 months afterwards, Chopra accomplished the 90m + feat at the Doha Diamond League. Chopra is now working with Jan Zelezny – the Czech Republic legend who threw the equipment to 90m plus distances 33 times from 1992 to 2001 with a world record best of 98.48m in 1996. Chopra has won gold medals at the Olympics, World Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and the Asian Championships. His best before the Doha 90m + was the 89.94m at Stockholm, Sweden in 2022. It was 13 years ago that he showed promise with a 68.46m in the national junior Championships in Lucknow. Two years later he entered the 70+ mark. He breached the 80 + mark (82.23) for the first time at the 2016 South Asian Games in Guwahati. His 86.48 metre at the IAAF World U20 projected him as a champion thrower of the javelin. Chopra has taken part in 72 events since 2012, has won 39 and finished among the top three in 57 events. The 90+ metre mark has been breached 125 times. Chopra’s Doha feat of May 16, 2025 is the 23rd all-time best.

The induction of Chhagan Bhujbal as a cabinet minister in the Maharashtra government is viewed as part of the gearing up for the forthcoming local bodies elections slated in the next four months. He becomes the eight member of the Other Backward Class (OBC) community to be part of the 43 ministerial team of the Devendra Fadnavis government. These include four OBC’s from the BJP, three from the NCP and one from the Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena. Bhujbal’s induction is meant to strengthen the OBC vote bank for the Mahayuti government. His role to woo the OBC vote bank becomes crucial since the Supreme Court ruled that 27% reservation of OBCs be retained in local body elections and his resurgence is also expected to provide a counterweight to the Maratha vote bank that is the mainstay of his faction of the NCP led by Ajit Pawar. Despite Bhujbal being left out in the cold since the Mahayuti government came to power in December 2024, he retained his independent identity as an OBC leader, never shying away from taking up the cause of the OBC community. He was among the first in the state to openly call for a Caste Census. From being pushed out of the race to be Nashik’s guardian minister to his current reinstatement as cabinet minister, Bhujbal’s has clearly shown how to play the waiting game and win.

PM Modi is very angry with Turkey. Under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan it has consistently been hostile to India in complete disregard for the deep-rooted trade arrangements between the two countries. During the 2023 earthquake that ravaged Turkey, India was among the first countries to respond with relief material. India launched Operation Dost to provide assistance and relief materials. Yet, Turkey provided drones and personnel to Pakistan during the military hostilities that ensued between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack. Turkey’s repeated interference on the Kashmir issue and the recent support for Pakistan have adversely affected its bilateral ties with India. Modi has asked his top aides to do a systematic review of Turkey’s involvement in India’s infrastructural projects and strategic sectors such as the ongoing metro project in Lucknow, Pune and Mumbai and manufacturing in Gujarat. The government is reviewing both active and completed Turkish-linked projects and assessing their impact. While no official terminations have been made yet, the Indian government seems to be considering a gradual and economic disengagement with Turkey. During Apr-Feb 2024-25, India’s exports to Turkey amounted to $5.2 bn, forming about 1.5% of India’s total exports. Its imports during the same period stood at $2.84 bn accounting for 0.5% of India’s total imports. Between April 2000 and September 2024, India received around $240.18 mn in FDI from Turkey. Turkish companies have worked in partnership with Indian companies in several key sectors including, metro rail, tunnel construction, airport services, education, media and cultural cooperation. The Atal Tunnel project in Kashmir also had the involvement of Turkish firms. After central universities like JNU and Jamia Millia Islamia severed ties with Turkish counterparts, IITs and several universities have also followed suit.

PM Modi ‘s decision to use the services of senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor to present India’s case before other countries became quite obvious from the moment Tharoor openly came endorsing the government’s handling of Operation Sindoor. Tharoor is leading an all-party delegation to the USA, Panama, Guyana, Brazil and Colombia. The Kerala MP’s endorsement of Operation Sindoor has apparently made Rahul Gandhi very angry with him. Rahul is also upset that the government did not pick his choice — Lok Sabha deputy leader Gaurav Gogoi. Accommodating Gogoi whose wife reportedly has close links with a Pak-based NGO, had posed a challenge for the government. Jairam Ramesh said the party was dismayed that among the 4 names only one person — Anand Sharma– had made it. Other 3 Congress leaders Tharoor, Manish Tewari and Salman Khurshid were directly sought out by the government. The Congress first described Tharoor’s action as “crossing the Lakshman Rekha”. Party sources said the attack on Tharoor was organised by AICC Gen Secretary KC Venugopal, a close Rahul Gandhi aide who fancies himself as the next Kerala CM. When Tharoor punctured the Congress’s campaign of having yielded to a third party mediation in the Indo-Pak conflict by asserting that India would have never agreed to third party mediation in its bilateral issues with Pakistan, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh told the media that “When Tharoor saab speaks, it is not the party’s opinion.” With so many fireworks, it remains to be seen if Tharoor will continue to remain with the Congress swallowing the swipe. The Gandhis have not liked him ever since he contested against Kharge. But, if Tharoor bows out to carve out his own space, it could queer the pitch for Congress in Kerala, ahead of assembly polls next year.

The stupendous success and impactful delivery of Indian missiles upon the Pakistani land targets, in no small measure boosted by using the Russian S-400 surface-to-air, anti-ballistic missile systems, will now be upgraded through the S-500 version that President Putin has offered India along with the ‘Made-in-India’ tag for manufacturing and exporting across the globe. The Russian offer came four days ago and seeks to cement Indo-Russian ties further through joint collaboration, setting up a manufacturing base in India. Simultaneously, India has upped the ante against both Turkey and Azerbaijan that achieved the distinction of being the only two nations in the world that supported the terrorist Pakistani nation in its limited-capability war launched upon India. According to well-placed sources Turkey stands to lose out on the bulk of the annual Rs 600 crore tourism business it generates out of India, through tourists visiting the nation with close to 60% of scheduled tourist travellers to that nation having cancelled their plans this year. Similarly, Islamic Azerbaijan’s miscalculated support for Pakistan will now witness Indian weaponry arming the mostly Christian Armenia that has been in a state of war with that nation since 2020 when Azerbaijan attacked its neighbour. The South Caucasian nation (Armenia), that signed a defence deal with India in 2022 for 15 Akash missile systems, is set to further receive multiple launch rocket systems, anti-tank rockets, and ammunition. While Turkey suffers an economically gloomy fate similar to Maldives, both of whose economies are sustained through Indian tourism, Azerbaijan will find itself up against an Indian weapon system bolstering Armenia in the coming days.

In 90 plus years — from June 1932 — India has won only 13.43% of the 67 Test matches in England. This stark fact exemplifies India’s woes in seaming conditions in England — 36 lost and nine won. In all 17 Indian players have captained in England and Ajit Wadekar was the first one to win a series there in 1971. Mahendra Singh Dhoni has led nine times and lost seven, Virat Kohli nine times, won three and lost five. Rohit Sharma has never led India in England. And Kapil Dev led India to a 2-0 win in 1986. In exactly a month from now, India will start a five-Test series in England, with the first one at Leeds where the record is 4 for England and 2 for India. In August 2021 England won by an innings and 76 runs. Whoever may be the captain, India will find many challenging situations, especially with the weather and the Dukes ball. It’s speculated that the selection committee — with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retiring from Test cricket — is all set to name Shubman Gill the captain and that’s because Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness for the full series is in doubt. Gill has played three Tests in England — two in the WTC final against New Zealand and Australia and one against England and he has scored 88 runs off 158 balls. Gill’s average is 10.50 in England, 18 in New Zealand,18.50 in South Africa and 22.50 in the West Indies. He averaged 51.80 in Australia four years ago, but it whittled down to 18.60 in the 2024-25 series. Hence, Gill will look for a good English Summer, for him and the team.

Recent political and diplomatic strains between India and Bangladesh have cast a ripple effect on cultural exchanges, especially in cinema — where both shared cultural heritage and creativity. Reportedly, disruptions have hit film projects and casting decisions across Tollywood and the Bangladeshi film industry. Though no official ban exists on Bangladeshi actors working in India, several have recently been denied Indian visas. This has forced producers into last-minute casting changes and even temporary halts on joint productions. While prominent actors like Jaya Ahsan, Chanchal Chowdhury, Shakib Khan, and Arifin Shuvoo continue to work in India due to long-term visas, others face hurdles. Actress Tasnia Farin was denied a visa despite being cast opposite Dev, prompting alternative casting. Similarly, Jeet’s collaboration with Bangladeshi director Raihan Rafi for Lion has stalled. SVF, a leading production house with deep cross-border ties, acknowledged temporary disruptions but confirmed collaborations are slowly resuming. Hoichoi released the Bangladeshi series Jimmi in March. SVF is co-producing Daagi with Afran Nisho and Tandob featuring Shakib Khan. However, Tandob will now be fully shot in Bangladesh due to visa issues affecting its crew. Visa unpredictability is making casting decisions risky. If actors can’t travel for shoots or promotions, entire projects suffer. Actor Ziaul Faruq Apurba couldn’t promote Chalachitro directed by Pratim D Gupta, while Chanchal Chowdhury missed promotions for Srijit Mukherji’s Padatik. Meanwhile, some projects remain unaffected. Jaya Ahsan’s Dear Maa by Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury is expected around July. She is also rumoured to star in Kaushik Ganguly’s upcoming Ardhangini 2.

PM Modi is very happy that he did not bow to the severe American pressure to give up buying Russian missile systems Jets equipped with Scalp missiles and S-400 Air Defence System; as they have been India’s weapons of choice in both the ongoing war with Pakistan and Operation Sindoor. The significance of the S-400 air defence system was demonstrated on the intervening night of May 8-9 when India effectively stopped an extensive onslaught by the Pakistani army employing drones and other missiles. The Russian S-400 and indigenous Akashteer defence systems successfully repelled every Pakistani attack, preventing any projectiles from hitting their objective. India’s defence forces even neutralised Pakistan’s one Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft in Punjab province of Pakistan. When India chose to purchase the S-400 defence system in 2018 through a $5 billion agreement with Russia, the Modi government was faced with significant criticism from the U.S. The acquisition of the S-400 by India was met with resistance from the earlier administrations of Joe Biden and Donald Trump. There had even been threats of sanctions from the White House under Donald Trump. However, Modi was aware of the importance of the S-400 in improving our air defences against China and Pakistan. Thus far, three S-400 squadrons have been received and are currently in service, with more expected to follow this year. It is the most advanced long-range air defence weapon in the world, with the ability to track and engage several aircraft targets up to 600 kilometres away. It is known as the “Sudarshan Chakra” inside the Indian Air Force and is capable of detecting, tracking and eliminating a wide range of airborne threats, including ballistic missiles, UAVs and fighter aircrafts. Modi has decided to place more orders for S-400 systems.

Noted writer Javed Akhtar has invited sharp comments from both extremes due to his statement that If he had to choose between hell and Pakistan, “I will prefer to go to hell.” Similarly, his oblique praise of Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has evoked different reactions. Akhtar’s frank speech at the launch of Raut’s book “Hell in Heaven” in Mumbai on May 17 became a highlight. Always a target following his speeches, Akhtar said, “Both sides abuse me. But there are also many people who treat me kindly.”  Akhtar observed in the speech that many memorable literary works had been written in prison. His reference was to Raut’s jail custody for a hundred days in connection with a controversial land deal in Mumbai. The book written by Raut describes his experience in that detention. The book is in focus owing to the various claims made by Raut regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray. But Akhtar’s finding some similarity between Raut and many giants who went to prison for ideological reasons has angered leaders like Neelam Gorhe, deputy chairperson of the Maharashtra legislative council. She said, “Those leaders were in prison for fighting for the nation’s freedom or such noble causes, not for economic offences.” Akhtar’s remarks have generated ripples across social media and political circles. Expectedly, while some have praised Akhtar for his fearless stand against hate speeches, his critics feel that he is needlessly stoking a controversy.

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai has given fair indications about his strong views regarding the relationship especially between the judiciary and the executive. In his first public address after becoming CJI, Gavai received felicitation from the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa in Mumbai on May 17. At the event, Gavai pointed out the absence of three key officials — the state chief secretary, the Director General of Police and the Mumbai Police Commissioner. He said the three pillars of democracy are equal and every constitutional institution must show respect to others. Regarding his visit, Gavai said when a person from Maharashtra becomes CJI and visits the state for the first time and if the chief secretary, the DGP or the Mumbai CP don’t feel it appropriate to be present, then they need to reflect on that. Afterwards, when CJI visited Chaitya Bhoomi, chief secretary Sujata Saunik, DGP Rashmi Shukla and Mumbai CP Deven Bharti were present, believed to have rushed to greet him after learning about CJI’s ire. When asked about this, he replied that he was not fussy about protocol but had only mentioned what had happened. The CJI’s remarks are considered significant against the backdrop of President Droupadi Murmu’s 14-point letter to the Supreme Court about the timeline suggested for President and state governors. Her reference to Article 361 of the Constitution is the crux of the matter as it says that the President or the governor shall not be answerable to any court for the exercise of the powers and duties of office.  

In Tamil Nadu, the AIADMK headed by Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), is already in poll mode with the leader and his election analysis team hard at work taking stock constituency by constituency to shape the party’s strategy. The rest of the Opposition appears to be in disarray with the PMK sharply divided between the founding father and stalwart politician Dr S Ramadoss and his son Anbumani. Their division came out in the open when Dr Ramadoss convened a meeting at his residence but only 10 of 110 district presidents attended it. Son and 4 party MLAs also boycotted the event. Jayalalithaa’s confidante and aide Sasikala, her protégé and former CM O Panneerselvam and her nephew TTV Dhinakaran are striving to get back into AIADMK, but EPS is adamant that none will be allowed back in. Meanwhile, OPS claims that his rump element of the main party is still very much a part of the NDA, and the BJP has been supporting this. It is likely that the BJP will fork out some seats to the Sasi-OPS-TTV faction because EPS will not permit them from his party’s share of seats. The DMDK has always been a minor player after the spectacular debut that it had under the late Vijayakanth. With TVK, the fledgling party of actor-turned politician Vijay, intent on contesting on its own, it is only the AIADMK that has shown some stability a year out before the polls are due in the summer of 2026. Even so, the DMK has already cranked up its political work at the grassroots level to be prepared to take on the Opposition in whatever shape it may be next summer.

TVK chief Vijay is a confused man these days. He is also a man in a hurry. Add to this his confidence in his ability to draw and hold filmi crowds …the mix is overpowering.  So, he pulls out all the rabbits from his magical hat …the annual 10th, 12th toppers prize giving event is making his cadres scramble like headless chickens. Of course, this year’s event is extra special, just like the Booth Committee organization event for which he has zeroed in on Cuddalore as the location as his followers have impressed on him that he has much popularity in North Tamil Nadu to show muscle. The choice of city for his mega public meet is next on his anvil. This time Vijay has set his sights on a 1000-acre site and his team is super busy scoping out sites that meet police, public and security regulations. Siruganoor is a popular choice. But overriding all these issues his immediate concerns is choosing an alliance partner. Some psephologists have predicted a TVK win and formation of government. Prashant Kishor has already told him to fight the 2026 poll alone. Now, his right hand and general secretary Bussy N Anand is of the view that no alliance is needed; he could opt for a rotating CMship with the partner. Aadav Arjun mildly says go for AIADMK but bargain for more seats. John Arogyasamy, yet another influencer says no need for alliance. But through all this back and forth, Vijay is hesitant about BJP leading an alliance. But inwardly Vijay is sceptical though happy and has bumped up the survey results to both DMK and AIADMK. Whistling in the dark?

The Union government is planning to send teams of political leaders, former diplomats and experts to countries in key regions of the world to articulate India’s point of view on the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent clashes with Pakistan. Among the MPs from the Opposition camp who are expected to be roped in for the outreach are Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, the current chair of the parliamentary standing committee on external affairs, former Jammu and Kashmir CM Ghulam Nabi Azad and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asauddin Owaisi. Azad is being considered as he is a prominent face from Kashmir who can speak on issues related to the region and cross-border terrorism. Owaisi, the Hyderabad MP has been the most vocal voice against Pakistan in the Opposition camp ever since the Pahalgam terror strike that killed 26 of our tourists on April 22. He has rallied in support of Operation Sindoor. According to official sources, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju is coordinating the foreign tour, which is expected to begin after May 22. Invitations have already been sent to the MPs. Each delegation is expected to comprise 5-6 MPs, who will visit different countries, including the U.S., the UK, South Africa, Qatar, and the UAE. According to sources, the government’s current aim in sending delegations of MPs from all parties is to send a clear message to the world. It is a lot like the time when PV Narasimha Rao felt the need that India must speak in one voice on Kashmir to counter a Pakistani onslaught. He had sent Atal Bihari Vajpayee, then an Opposition leader to lead an official delegation to the 1994 session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva and had forced withdrawal of a resolution to censure India on Kashmir.

In the wake of the Murshidabad killings and the terror attack in Pahalgam, Bengal’s political battleground has heated up, with both BJP and CPI(M) scrambling to secure the Hindu vote bank. While CPI(M) leaders like State Secretary Mohammed Salim and youth leader Minakshi Mukherjee visited Murshidabad post-violence, BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari downplayed the incident, claiming victims were targeted for being Hindu, and dismissed the CPI(M)’s recent Brigade rally, stating Hindus have distanced themselves from the party. This intensified BJP attack is part of a broader strategy to erode the Hindu support base that still aligns with the Left in certain pockets. BJP leaders believe converting this segment could significantly alter Bengal’s electoral dynamics. Despite failing to win any seats in recent elections, the Left’s 11% vote share — largely perceived to include Hindus — remains a target for the BJP, especially as the Trinamool-BJP vote gap stood at 7% in the last Lok Sabha polls. Senior CPI(M) leaders assert Adhikari’s focus reflects his intent to pull Hindu voters from the Left into the BJP fold. Salim countered, stating Suvendu’s attacks show BJP’s internal frustration, citing leaders like Dilip Ghosh distancing themselves from the party. Districts like Murshidabad, Nadia, Malda, Uttar Dinajpur, and Hooghly — once Left strongholds — have witnessed increasing communal tensions, providing a backdrop for BJP’s polarisation strategy. BJP finds Hindu voters aligned with the Left more reachable than TMC supporters, who are seen as bound by secular ideology or economic factors. However, a section of Bengal BJP leaders feel that after peaking in 2019, setbacks in 2021 and 2024, indicate that Hindu consolidation alone may not ensure success without strong momentum or triggering events.

Veteran leader Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, TMC MP Saket Gokhale and famous writer Javed Akhtar will be present for releasing Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut’s latest book in Marathi Narkatla Swarg means Heaven in Hell in Mumbai on Saturday. Even before the launch, the book that describes the experience of Raut’s one hundred days in jail custody has started creating waves. The recent distancing between Pawar and Uddhav, the presence of Akhtar and the TMC’s token appearance in Maharashtra are some of the factors that have heightened the suspense, which is enhanced by Raut with his warning that he could have disclosed much more but has held back. Expectedly, the claims made by Raut are in the midst of political comments. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, when asked by the media, said sarcastically, “I have outgrown the age of reading children’s literature. In fact, I gave up reading fiction long ago.” He advised the media not to read ‘such’ writings. Raut was arrested in connection with the Rs 1000-crore Patra Chawl redevelopment project by ED in Mumbai in August 2022 under PMLA. From the day he was released from custody by court, he has been levelling one allegation after another against the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and breakaway Sena faction’s leader Eknath Shinde. There is seldom any response to his outbursts.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has lamented that although then Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray and veteran leader Sharad Pawar were instrumental in saving the then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi from serious consequences, Modi paid back by splitting the Sena. He has warned that he possesses much more explosive information which will create havoc if disclosed. “But being a believer in Maryada Purushottam Bhagwan Ram, I will not divulge it,” Raut says in connection with the release of his latest book in Marathi Narkatla Swarg means Heaven in Hell. The autobiographical account deals with the one hundred days Raut spent in jail custody after the Enforcement Directorate arrested him, alleging that he was involved in some suspect redevelopment projects in Mumbai. Raut was later released on bail by court, rejecting ED’s demand to extend the detention. Raut has also said that the two leaders helped Modi’s deputy, Amit Shah as well. “When the entire nation was against Modi, it was Balasaheb, the Shiv Sena and its daily Saamana (of which Raut has been editor for almost 30 years) which stood by Modi firmly,” Raut has reminded the BJP. Raut has written extensively about the land deal for which he was arrested. He has mentioned the names of certain power brokers and challenged the government to initiate action against them. The book has many more sensational disclosures.

Recently when DMK MP Kanimozhi took a meeting of party workers in her Thoothukudi Lok Sabha parliamentary constituency to ask them for things to be done in the area by the state government ahead of the Tamil Nadu assembly elections next year, she was quite surprised by the feedback that she got from her team. Her party workers reportedly told her that there wasn’t much she would have to mobilise from her brother MK Stalin government. That is because the newly appointed state BJP President Nainar Nagendran, who is an MLA from Tirunelveli, which is part of adjacent Parliament constituency, more than ensures fulfilment of local area needs. Nagendran has such good equations with Tamil Nadu chief minister Stalin — for that matter with all leaders cutting across party lines — that DMK workers wanted to know from Kanimozhi what was his status vis a vis the DMK. After all, as soon as he took over as BJP chief, Stalin had wished him on X. Such friendly messaging naturally confused the party cadres. The DMK cadres wanted to know from Kanimozhi whether they oppose him or treat him well? These questions surprised Kanimozhi who asked the cadres to focus on strengthening the party. BJP sources admit that the forever pleasant Nagendran has always been a helpful leader. Ever since he took charge as BJP chief he has been renewing contacts with all old and senior BJP leaders from TN. He has been calling on them with the trademark Tirunelveli halwa and traditional sweets from the state. He has certainly been making waves winning friends.

With less than a month left for Mohan Charan Majhi government’s first anniversary on June 12, a mindless controversy has been created with regard to the Odisha chief minister’s recent visit to Mumbai for an investment meeting and his five-day stay at a 5-star hotel located in Nariman Point. This has set the tongue wagging whether a party like BJP has let go its principle of being judicious in cost and expenses. Veteran journalist Ruben Banerjee who closely follows Odisha politics brought this out and said the former CM Naveen Patnaik during his first 15 years’ governance created a positive impression by avoiding 5-star culture. But BJP sources say what about Patnaik’s party which splurged tax-payers money to allow Patnaik’s man Friday VK Pandian to use helicopters extensively to tour the state! The state government sources say the presidential suites in The Oberoi weren’t used for Majhi’s personal leisure. The CM was just matching the level of diplomacy and stature expected while interacting with industry leaders and CEOs. They say Banerjee has misinterpreted this as personal luxury which is misleading. Satyapatha, Odisha’s popular news channel editor said this is judgemental politics by Ruben Banerjee. He is close to Patnaik as he has written a book on him. Is this issue being raised because CM Majhi hails from a poor Adivasi family? As one BJP leader aptly put it, “Judge CM Majhi on what investments he bags, not where he stays.” Quite.

The Turkish firm Celebi Airport Services that handled the lion’s share of ground handling services at nine major airports in India, lost its security clearance following Turkey’s support of Pakistan over Operation Sindoor. Turkey has been facing massive backlash over its support that even includes Indian tourists cancelling trips to the country. An order from the Civil Aviation Ministry this evening said the security clearance for Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd “is hereby revoked with immediate effect in the interest of national security”. Celebi has two separate entities — Celebi Airport Services India to manage ground handling operations and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India to oversee cargo services at Delhi International airport. The first carries out several high-security tasks critical to the safe and efficient functioning of airport operations. These include ramp services, which involve directing aircraft on the ground; load control and flight operations to ensure proper aircraft balance; and bridge operations, which manage the passenger boarding bridges connected to aircraft. The company also handles cargo and postal services, and warehouse management. Not just in our social media platforms but also political parties like the Shiv Sena wanted them out of Mumbai airport. Security strategist Sushant Sareen batted for complete removal of Turkish aviation firm “Turkey is involved in hostile anti-India propaganda and is involved in sinister activity to incite and instigate and indoctrinate Indian Muslims,” he said. Aviation consultant Sanjay Lazar noted that Çelebi was given security clearance during the UPA era, post-26/11, and faced opposition from trade unions even then. Of course, speculation that Çelebi is linked to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s family, particularly his daughter, is being denied. It is described as an MNC set up in 1958.

Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s endorsement of the government’s handling of Operation Sindoor may have won many friends for him across the aisle but his own party unfortunately viewed it as “crossing of the Lakshman Rekha”. At least this was made clear when party leaders Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera were asked about Tharoor’s remark that India would never allow third-party mediation in its bilateral issues with Pakistan. That is because Tharoor’s remark had largely punctured Congress’ attack on the government. Jairam told the media, “When Tharoor saab speaks, it is not the party’s opinion.” The Congress, which assured full support to the Centre in its action against those behind the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, has now asked the government to come clean on what led to the ceasefire and questioned what role the U.S. played in it. The Indian leadership, including PM Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, has not mentioned the U.S. in statements following the ceasefire. For the last few days, the Congress has been asking why the U.S. President announced the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Some Congress leaders however felt party leadership was completely out of check with reality. It was felt the party was needlessly obsessing about President Trump. “Whether we like it or not, post Operation Sindoor, people are happy with PM Modi. India is happy that Pakistan has been beaten up.” That is precisely what Tharoor articulated and may be the reason why Congress is distancing itself from him. “People aren’t least bothered about Trump or what he claimed,” pointed out an AICC leader from the South. Meanwhile, official Congress briefings are worryingly becoming stuff for Pak TV to exploit.

A day after he made it clear to Pakistan that  it can no longer tolerate nuclear blackmail, PM Modi visited Punjab’s Adampur air base early Tuesday (May 13) morning and met with the pilots and support staff who carried out Operation Sindoor in which India took out nine terror targets deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir on May 7. “It was a very special experience to be with those who epitomise courage, determination and fearlessness. India is eternally grateful to our armed forces for everything they do for our nation,” he shared on X. PM Modi’s surprise visit to the airbase had a strong message. It sent a message that India stood firmly with its armed forces and the PM led the nation in personally thanking them. Even as he guided and monitored Op Sindoor, he thanked the military for its services in his address just a day earlier. The visit also demolished Pakistan’s false claims of having inflicted serious damage to the air base during its overnight strikes. PM Modi who was accompanied to Adampur by Chief Marshal A P Singh spent about an hour with the airmen. Adampur Air Base is the base for the Indian Air Force’s MiG-29 fighter jets. Pakistan had falsely claimed that it had destroyed the S-400 base at Adampur on the night of May 9-10, in response to India’s Operation Sindoor. A photo of the PM saluting the brave airmen with the formidable and frontline S400 Triumf air defence system in the backdrop  decimated those claims.

From Punjab as we move to Purnia in Bihar. What comes to the fore is the endearing back story about Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, Director General Air Operation (DGMO), the architect of the air operations in the ongoing Operation Sindoor and his father Jeevachhlal Yadav (85), back home in Purnia.  The aging octogenarian was not aware about the backstage heroics and the pyrotechnics his son had masterminded against Pakistan till his next door neighbour called out, asked him to tune into TV news channels on May 11 evening. By the time he got hold of the remote, Air Marshal Bharti was already into the media briefing in New Delhi, sharing details and evidence of the clinical precision with which the Indian Air Force (IAF) struck Pakistani air bases and other crucial targets as part of Operation Sindoor. The father was a bit disappointed that his son had not shared details with him. “He did not tell me anything when he called up and spoke to me last week. He could have at least told me that he would be on TV,” said senior Yadav. However, since that day an ebullient Yadav is glued to the TV. His son was on TV again on May 12 afternoon, as part of the media briefing. Senior Yadav watched him with glee and a sense of pride. Media reports said Air Marshal Bharti has given his parents newfound fame and respect in Purnia. Air Marshal Bharti’s father described him as brilliant since childhood and as someone who always stood first. He went to the NDA, Pune and got commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF in June 1987. He topped the NDA course and was awarded the prestigious “Sword of Honour”.  

With India’s armed forces engaged in the battle front against Pakistan, no way the Tata-IPL-18 could have continued, and the BCCI has rightly stopped all action (entertainment) for a week. It’s a matter of conjecture, even though a ceasefire has been called, as to when play will resume to complete season-18. Until the call was taken to bring the league to a halt, the interest and focus — apart from the performances of the 10 teams — was on the homegrown talents leading the teams like Axar Patel, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Rajat Patidar, Shubman Gill, Rituraj Gaikwad (replaced by MS Dhoni), Sanju Samson (replaced by Riyan Parag)  and Ajinkya Rahane. It was great to see so many Indians trying to show their leadership qualities, but only two or three could be said to be in contention for the leadership role for the five-Test series in England, even after Rohit Sharma called it “quits” from Test cricket. The notable absentee from this group was Jasprit Bumrah who was not a starter for Mumbai Indians this IPL, but he breathed fire soon after joining the MI ranks. Gill, Iyer and Patidar earned some brownie points and the Gujarat Titans captain Gill will get a role in England. But can the selectors ignore the claim of Bumrah who stunned one and all with his captaincy in Australia, in the first Test in Perth that India won with consummate ease. With the experience of playing nine Tests in England and bowling 357 overs there, Bumrah ought to be the captain for the tour of England. Gill can only be Bumrah’s sidekick. The selection committee has plenty to mull over.

Pakistan’s army is presently in a state of shock and awe. Gen Asim Munir failed to understand how Indian missiles and drones entered 100 km deep inside Pakistan and his army did not have a whiff about this attack. How his air defence system failed.  Gen Munir is deeply worried about this major gaffe. The terror hideouts that were destroyed were located in high-security zones. Prime Minister Modi had warned in advance that our armed forces would strike in a manner that Pakistan would never imagine. Terror headquarters of Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar and Syed Salahuddin were closely guarded by the Pakistani army near the cantonments and located in congested residential localities. Pakistan expected that many civilians would die in Indian attacks, but the precision bombs fell only on terror camps. Pakistan’s air defence systems were supposed to be strong near these nine sites. These targeted attacks have unnerved Islamabad. The attacks clearly show that the Pakistani generals have no idea about the efficiency and operational capabilities of the Indian armed forces. Meanwhile, it is being said “Operation Sindoor” was a tightly kept secret even within the Union Cabinet. PM Modi involved only Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Other members of the Cabinet Committee on Security — Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman — were kept in confidence. So, Rajnath’s importance has gone up. Modi wanted everything to be kept top secret. Within 25 minutes on May 7, our Army and Air Force destroyed terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) by launching missiles and drones. The headquarters of terror masterminds Hafiz Sayeed and Masood Azhar were reduced to rubble, deep inside Pakistani territory. Masood Azhar lost his sister and nine other family members in the air strike. It was Modi who took the big powers into confidence in advance to control the after effects of...

Known as Maharashtra’s cultural capital and fountainhead of many social reform movements, Pune has been shaken over the past few days owing to two daylight incidents of publicly supporting Pakistan and Hamas. More shocking is the fact that the pro-Hamas activity has taken place in Karve Nagar, an elite locality in Pune. When local BJP workers learnt that a group of youngsters was distributing pamphlets in support of Hamas in that area, they rushed to the spot and tried to prevent the effort. There was a free for all and the BJP group has demanded urgent appropriate action against the Hamas backers. The police have assured them that no anti-national activity will be permitted and those breaching social amity will face action. In the other incident, a young girl, said to be an engineering student, has been sent into police custody for posting slogans like Pakistan Zindabad on social media. It is alleged that she recently visited her relatives in Srinagar. After some organisations declared that they would stage a demonstration against her, the police took adequate precautions while producing her in court. In recent months, intermittent news reports have appeared about the objectionable developments in certain Pune pockets. The police have intensified their campaign to identify and arrest illegal immigrants, especially those from Bangladesh. Pune is considered a BJP stronghold and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar is its guardian minister. As these incidents took place amidst the height of Operation Sindoor, more follow up actions are anticipated.

In a notable shift in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student politics, the RSS affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) made significant gains in the recent student union elections. While the Left retained key positions, ABVP hailed its performance as “historic”. It now aims to expand its presence at Jadavpur University (JU). Aniruddha Sarkar, ABVP’s South Bengal State Secretary, called the JNU outcome a mandate for ideological change and declared the time had come to replicate it in JU. He emphasised that ABVP had disrupted Left dominance in JNU and would challenge the “Left ecosystem” in JU as well. ABVP has accelerated its activities at JU. Recently, it organized a Ram Navami puja at the university’s engineering gate placing a Hanuman image beside murals of Marx, Lenin, and Mao. While such acts had earlier triggered strong opposition, this time there was little protest, partly due to the Sunday holiday. Nonetheless, the event marked a symbolic assertion of right-wing presence in a traditionally Left-dominated campus. Srijan Bhattacharyya, an SFI All India leader and JU alumnus, who also contested the Lok Sabha Election 2024 on CPI(M) ticket, dismissed comparisons with JNU. He said JU’s ideological identity is fundamentally different and that a handful of non-Bengali-speaking engineering students would not enable ABVP to take over. He maintained that ABVP would remain on the periphery. However, ABVP leaders viewed the Ram Navami event as a breakthrough. One said it had given them the “oxygen” they needed and vowed to go further, framing future plans as a “surgical strike” on JU’s Left bastion — signalling a deepening ideological contest on Bengal’s premier campuses.

The ruling DMK made its point in Tamil Nadu when it took out a rally to display its solidarity with the armed forces that were actively engaged in the conflict with Pakistan. The ceasefire announcement may have come just as the rally was moving on to the Marina Beach Road, but the DMK has only upholding a tradition of the party supporting the Union government during any external threat to the nation. Carrying the national flag and walking the Marina promenade has been a tradition since the war against China broke out in 1962, which was when the DMK founder Annadurai declared that his party was giving up its separate Tamil homeland (Dravida Nadu) demand in a national Indian cause. The Congress may have run the same kind of rally in Hyderabad and Chennai before chief minister MK Stalin walked to display his solidarity, but the DMK march for a national cause has been something that the party has always revered. So much so, even the Governor RN Ravi lauded the DMK for the rally. Of course, the DMK has come a long way since supporting such causes as Eelam, with a territory covering Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu as a Tamil homeland. Such thoughts are probably only nursed by the likes of Vaiko and other politicians who remain wedded to the romantic notion of a Tamil nation.

Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy finds himself increasingly cornered in the liquor scam case and the buzz in political circles is that his arrest by the Chandrababu Naidu government seems imminent. This rumour is gathering steam following interrogation of key accused K Rajasekhar Reddy alias Raj Kasireddy. So far SIT has identified 29 individuals as accused in the liquor case. Recently, the AP High Court rejected anticipatory bail of Jagan’s two key aides — Dhanunjay Reddy and Krishna Mohon Reddy. Why is the probe not being fast tracked? Sources say the liquor scam probe is being led in slow motion strategically so as to mould public opinion. Allegations are being pushed through the media suggesting that the liquor deals were executed under Jagan’s direct instructions. The AP sources say the objective of the current chief minister Naidu is to prime public attention and their sentiments first, so that any potential arrest does not trigger backlash against his government but rather appears justified. Some political observers say arresting Jagan will serve as a symbolic counter to the arrest of Naidu during Jagan’s regime. Many believe there is no better time to act against Jagan in the next few months. The question now is not if but when! Naidu is assessing the likely impact of Jagan’s arrest in Andhra’s political landscape. One thing that comes out loud and clear is Jagan may once again face jail term. During the UPA regime, he was arrested in May 2012 by the CBI for allegedly amassing huge assets. He walked out of jail after 16 months.