AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) arrived in Delhi on March 25 morning in a surprise visit sparking off speculations that he has reached the national capital to formalise AIADMK-BJP alliance ahead of 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections. His sudden visit comes when he appears to be softening his stance with the BJP is a significant shift from his earlier opposition to it. The AIADMK had walked out of the NDA in October 2023, months ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Yet, the BJP in TN under K Annamalai’s stewardship had managed to double its vote share to 11%.  Of course, neither the AIADMK nor the BJP could win any LS seat. With the entry of actor Vijay’s TVK party, it is possible that EPS once again feels the need to avoid a fragmented Opposition vote to take on the ruling DMK. Mired in liquor-marketing corruption of TASMAC that is being probed by the ED, the DMK is skating on thin ice and may meet the same fate as AAP in Delhi. It is in this backdrop that Palaniswami’s hurried visit to Delhi is of interest. Officially, he told the media that he was just “looking up” Rs 10 crore AIADMK office he had recently launched via video. However, the main agenda is to meet with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and other key BJP leaders to draw up electoral strategies. Palaniswami’s surprise visit to Delhi had so stunned TN chief minister MK Stalin even publicly hoped in the state assembly that his AIADMK rival would articulate DMK’s views on New Education Policy or how the state loves the 2-language formula. Surely, Stalin knows an AIADMK-BJP alliance can simply unseat him in the upcoming polls.

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin learnt much at his father’s political nursery — watching, waiting and willing to learn. That seems to have paid off. Today, Stalin is a Southern leader who cannot be brushed off as irrelevant. In fact, after winning the 2021 assembly elections with a thumping majority he has projected himself as a leader of substance. Of course, his Dravidam, North South polarity and unfettered opposition to Hindi have irked and irritated his opponents. But which politician would willingly dilute his party’s ideology for temporary gains? Even as the anti-Tamil slogan is fanned by Stalin as the major foothold for the 2026 assembly elections, he has now taken on strongly the delimitation demand and has been successful in herding the to-be-affected states and their leaders into a common corral. Stalin has seamlessly moved in as leader of this group — Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, AP, Orissa and Punjab. On March 21, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan was given a warm welcome as the first of the group when he landed in Chennai for a crucial strategy meet at the ITC Grand Chola. Senior DMK leaders Dr P Thiaga Rajan and Thamizhachi Thangapandian received him. Stalin referred to March 5 as a “Historic Day for Indian federalism” even as he projected his Joint Action Committee for fair delimitation. Stalin clearly knows which buttons are to be pushed at the right time.

In a significant turn of events within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has signalled a shift in political succession, distancing her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, from the role of her heir apparent. Party insiders suggest the move is a strategic recalibration aimed at reinforcing her authority while reshaping the party’s leadership dynamics.  For years, Abhishek was considered the party’s ‘crown prince.’ However, tensions began to mount as Abhishek pushed for generational change, advocating for age limits in politics. Party veterans, many of whom have been with Didi since the party’s inception, viewed Abhishek’s assertiveness as a threat. Reports of his close aides reaching out to BJP leaders in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh further deepened suspicions. This prompted Didi to publicly rebuke him and strip him of any assumptions of succession. Adding to the discord, Abhishek’s response to the RG Kar rape-murder case in August 2024 saw him challenge the administration’s inaction, pushing for decisive action. His direct engagement with Kolkata police further irked Mamata, reinforcing her belief that he was overstepping his boundaries. Interestingly, as Didi embarks on her UK tour on Saturday morning, set to return to Kolkata on the night of March 29, she has formed a task force comprising the party’s state president and senior leader, Subrata Bakshi, along with Abhishek, to oversee government affairs while also delegating party responsibilities in her absence. Political observers note that this move sends a strong message within the party, reinforcing the concept of “joint leadership” that balances both senior and young leaders.

The Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar put the Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai in his place, dubbing him an unimportant person who had no knowledge of the threat that delimitation could pose to the southern states. The local BJP had arranged for black flags to be shown at all major cities in Tamil Nadu on the day that Stalin held his summit against delimitation at a deluxe hotel in Chennai. It was the local BJP’s point that Shivakumar, whose state refuses to give Tamil Nadu a just share of Cauvery water, and Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan who does not talk to Tamil Nadu on important issues like the Mullaperiyar dam, its maintenance and permissible height, should not be state guests in Chennai. Shivakumar made the point about Annamalai’s view of delimitation as an irrelevant subject being unimportant because what counts is what the Prime Minister and the Home Minister think of it. DKS said he could understand Annamalai being loyal to his party, but he seems not to understand what could happen to his own state of Tamil Nadu if the delimitation proposal goes through. If proportional representation according to population is done after the next census, UP could have as many as 137 seats in the Lok Sabha compared to 80 now whereas Tamil Nadu may end up getting four more seats than its current 39.

It is being said Congress President Sonia Gandhi had mulled easing out Dr Manmohan Singh as PM and making him the President during the 2012 presidential election to counter growing public mood against UPA II government because of corruption charges. She had seriously considered this idea, but due to reservations of many alliance parties it was abandoned. This was revealed by senior journalist Gautam Lahiri in his book on late President Pranab Mukherjee. Written in Bengali, the book released recently reveals an incident where Mukherjee himself advised Sonia not to forward then PM Manmohan Singh as a presidential candidate because he could lose the election. Lahiri has claimed that in the 2012 Presidential election, Sonia wanted Pranab to become the PM and Manmohan Singh to be made the President. It is not clear what purpose such anecdotes serve except perhaps to air-brush Sonia Gandhi’s image ahead of Bengal’s polls in 2026? Interestingly, in his book The Coalition Years, Pranab Mukherjee somewhat bears out Lahiri when he writes: “Soon after a meeting with Sonia Gandhi, I returned with a vague impression that she might consider Manmohan Singh as the UPA nominee. I thought if she selected Singh for the presidential office, she may choose me as the prime minister.”  Lahiri has said that many allied parties opposed Manmohan’s name because by that time the discussion of the 2G scam and coal scam had started. On the other hand, the leaders of opposition parties also agreed on the name of Pranab Mukherjee. LK Advani, Bal Thackeray and Nitish Kumar had agreed to support Pranab. Not only this, Pranab Mukherjee had explained to Sonia Gandhi that the TMC would eventually support his name though it had formally opposed him.

Right wing organizations, including RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal, have turned into Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’ Achilles heel even in his 3.0 Avataar. Nagpur riots ensued after Hindu hardliners demanded razing of Moghul tyrant Aurangzeb’s tomb and yet, these organizations failed to step up after riots to assuage, provide financial aid, moral support to Hindu community that suffered collateral damage. Hindus living in Nagpur city, particularly in Muslim dominated (demographically) localities are on verge of exodus though Fadnavis promised to make rioters pay-up, recoup losses suffered during mayhem unleashed by minority community using his version of the bulldozer policy. BJP insiders reveal, “A near identical mayhem unleashed in 2012 by Raza Academy and Samajwadi Party at Mumbai’s iconic Azad Maidan grounds left several fresher women police constables molested in its wake. After a decade of incident (eight years under Fadnavis) trial had not begun. Will Nagpur, where a senior woman police officer was similarly targeted, go the same way?” The molested women police constables, numbering nine, from the Azad Maidan incident, mostly daughters of poor farmers in Maharashtra, resigned their jobs after their FIRs at Azad Maidan police station failed to elicit due justice or restore even a semblance of their dignity. In 2015 right-wingers similarly upped the ante (Fadnavis being CM) over 2008 Bombay High Court order, threatening to take to streets and exposing their own trepidation to act similarly when Congress governments ruled, worried over police lathis. The more that things change, the more they remain the same?

As of now there is no respite for the KIIT founder Dr Achutya Samanta and company with regard to Nepalese student eviction and suicide of a Nepalese girl student. The unsavoury incident proved a big embarrassment for India. The Nepalese government openly expressed its disappointment with the Indian government. To salvage the situation, the Odisha government appointed 3-Member Inquiry Committee headed Additional Chief Secretary Satyabrata Sahu to ascertain circumstances which led to Nepali female student committing suicide, high handed action by the institute to drive away Nepali students and reasons for closing KIIT door to Nepali students. Already Dr Samanta along with top seven officials has appeared before the committee. Meanwhile, even UGC has sought an ‘action taken’ report from KIIT. An NHRC team has also begun an inquiry. The KIIT issue has taken a political dimension. BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik did not comment on the KIIT controversy. However, another party member Sarada Jena raised the issue with Patnaik saying “future governance and accountability remain critical concerns”. Odisha Congress leader Ajay Kumar Lallu said his party will gherao the legislative assembly and even Parliament if the accused are not punished. Meanwhile, the Odisha Police registered a case against Dr Samanta and KIIT over land encroachment. 

Former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar is all set to take over as the next BJP Kerala chief as the party’s central leadership backed his nomination. Chandrasekhar, who attended the party’s core committee meeting in Thiruvananthapuram on March 23 filed his nomination for the president’s post at the BJP’s state headquarters. His election is most likely to be unanimous. Chandrasekhar narrowly lost the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Thiruvananthapuram to Congress’ Shashi Tharoor by just 16,000 votes. A Nair by caste, Chandrasekhar is expected to solidify upper-caste Hindu votes in the state in the upcoming local body elections and next year’s assembly election. Party sources said a big plus in Chandrashekhar’s favour was he would possibly be uniting the faction-ridden state unit. Until now Kerala BJP unit has been indistinguishable from the LDF and the UDF. Party sources said it did not seem to have any link with the central BJP. A Kerala leader pointed how the BJP labour wing almost functioned like any other trade union, opposing every economic activity. Chandrashekhar’s entry would help Kerala connect with PM Modi, where he is extremely popular. Kerala people are fed up with the binary of LDF-UDF.  They are looking for an alternative. “As per India Today survey our vote share has gone up to 22% and has the potential to go further up to 29%. With Chandrashekhar at the helm and the party uniting behind him, we are poised to do well in the assembly polls. We may get something like 40 seats,” said a hopeful RSS leader. One of the reasons for the rise in BJP vote share is the growing divide between the Christian and Muslim communities in the state. A segment of the Christian population, loyal to Congress, has reportedly grown disillusioned due to their neglect of Christian concerns.

PM Narendra Modi and RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat will meet close to an hour in Nagpur come March 30, 2025. The first official visit by PM Modi to the RSS HQ since 2014 will finalize the consensus candidate as next BJP National President with elections in Hindi heartland states on the anvil. Three contenders currently in the fray include Union Ministers Manohar Lal Khattar (Power, Housing, Urban Affairs), Bhupinder Yadav (Environment, Forest, Climate Change) and Manoj Sinha (LG of J&K). Reliable sources reveal Sinha’s candidature faced opposition from RSS over lack of organisational experience. Modi confidante Khattar held organisational posts as hardcore Hindutva Pracharak over 15 years. Khattar also held Haryana CM post despite being non-Jat. Former MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan was similarly elevated to Delhi, notwithstanding, his apparent reluctance being unaware of Modi’s masterplan for next two decades. Today Chouhan is anointed Chief Overseer of PMO projects under Modi’s sign and seal elevating him to second highest political perch in India. Union Home Minister Amit Shah enjoys good relations with both Khattar and Bhupinder Yadav with the new incumbent replacing Nadda needing to work closely with him. Shah himself was spotted by Modi for active work from college election days in ABVP and Yuva Morcha. As Gujarat CM Modi had anointed Shah as MoS (Home) while holding the Home ministry. Shah contested seven elections, won every time and Modi made him Union Home Minister and National BJP President, even rejecting JP Nadda’s candidature proposed by RSS in 2014, upon assuming India’s Prime Ministership. Nadda waited for two tenures before being installed as the next party Chief.

In an amazing twist, the Punjab farm agitation, going on for 400 days at Shambhu border, abruptly came to an end on March 19.  Police cleared the protesters, less than an hour after farm union leaders –representing 28 farmer unions — returned from Chandigarh to protest sites after a four-hour meeting with three Union ministers — Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Piyush Goyal and Pralhad Joshi. With protestors cleared out of iconic Shambhu, it means AAP has decided it will no longer patronise farm protests and has begun to focus on winning Ludhiana (West) assembly by-election. Why is clearing Shambhu border linked to winning an urban seat like Ludhiana? Sources say police action on farmers came after Ludhiana traders told AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal in a March 17 meeting that it would be difficult to back the AAP if the farmers’ protest continued. Industrialists also wanted the road opened as it was putting a strain on their business. After losing the popular vote in Delhi, Kejriwal didn’t want to risk it in Punjab. He is keen to enter the Rajya Sabha. To ensure this he has nominated Sanjeev Arora, a Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab, as the AAP candidate for the Ludhiana West bypoll. Arora, who will not vacate his RS seat till he wins, has been promised a ministerial berth in the Punjab government, if he wins. Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar slammed the AAP for using farmers for their personal and political interests. “It is the AAP that instigated the farm protests.” He recalled how Punjab had previously informed the Supreme Court that it could not remove farm leader Jagjit Dallewal from the site fearing the situation would become “uncontrollable”. The same government was able to clear the protest site in just 20 minutes, he wondered.

The West Bengal CPI(M) is poised for a significant generational shift as several senior leaders are expected to retire from the central committee due to age restrictions. Key figures like Politburo member Surjya Kanta Mishra, along with Rabin Deb and Rekha Goswami, are expected to step down. The positions of Anju Kar (Burdwan) and Amiya Patra (Bankura) are also under discussion. These vacancies have sparked debates about potential replacements reflecting internal power dynamics. Minakshi Mukherjee, a prominent youth leader, is a leading contender for elevation. Some are advocating for women leaders like Kaninika Ghosh or Jahanara Khan, citing Kerala’s precedent of including women’s organization leaders in the central committee. Anju Kar has reportedly expressed a desire to make way for younger leaders. If she retires, either Kaninika or Jahanara could be included. However, if Minakshi replaces Rekha Goswami, Jahanara’s chances might diminish due to both being from West Burdwan, favouring Kaninika. For Amiya Patra’s potential vacancy, Kolkata district secretary Kallol Majumdar and tea garden workers’ leader Ziaul Alam are being considered. Additionally, North 24 Parganas district secretary Palash Das and Hooghly district secretary Debabrata Ghosh are in contention. Palash Das benefited from party intervention in his district appointment, while Debabrata Ghosh gained recognition for successfully organizing the state conference in Hooghly. The most critical decision involves the Politburo. With Surjya Kanta Mishra’s retirement, Srideep Bhattacharya is the frontrunner. However, Abhas Raychaudhuri’s recent prominence has led to discussions about his potential elevation. A minor faction also supports Sujan Chakraborty. The final decision will be made at the CPI (M) 24th Party Congress in Madurai, Tamil Nadu scheduled from April 2–6.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to the RSS headquarters at Nagpur on March 30 will prove to be a gamechanger since the venue is situated in the Mahal area, where a horrific communal riot had rocked the nation three days ago. It is felt that the instigation for the unrest and Modi’s maiden visit to the saffron organisation’s birthplace could have some connection. However, there is no such link found so far. Nonetheless, the police have spread a vast net to nab the culprits, direct and indirect. As more and more details are being uncovered, the security agencies will have to be extra cautious for the PM’s visit. Since coming to power at the Centre in 2014, Modi has not visited the RSS headquarters, giving his detractors an opportunity to question his decision of staying away from the place considered sacred by RSS rank and file. Prior to becoming PM, Modi had frequently visited the place. During his visit, Modi will lay the foundation stone for an expansion project of Madhav Netralaya, the eye medical facility. The event will be attended by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union minister Nitin Gadkari. The proposed visit has generated considerable interest since Modi is expected to make some major announcement. Incidentally, Modi will not be the first sitting PM to visit the RSS headquarters at Reshimbagh, Nagpur. In the past, then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee had paid a visit to the venue.

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’ return to power has been marred by regular hiccups with him struggling to duck one bouncer after another. Despite enjoying the support of over 82% or 238 MLAs of the total of 288 his second during the last four months has been anything but smooth. He is struggling to strike a balance between his inhouse support base and his ambitious coalition partners, NCP’s Ajit Pawar and Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde. If sources are to be believed, a huge wave of discontent has been simmering within the BJP against Fadnavis, upset with the fruits of power being doled out to new entrants from other parties over the committed party’s old guard. The communal riots in Nagpur over Aurangzeb legacy has also portrayed Fadnavis in a bad light as he holds the home ministry. Fadnavis has been responding to attacks on him by unleashing diversionary vocal volleys resulting in a political slugfest with the political discourse getting muddy and murky. Nitesh Rane, Suresh Dhas may have been the most prominent face, but many non-political players like Anjali Damania, Rahul Solapurkar, Prashant Koratkar too have been actively raking up issues to stoke the political flames. Old graves are literally being dug up to wean away attention from the disturbing ground reality of huge unemployment, of ballooning state debts to Rs 9.2 lakh crores and widening caste frictions. With the crucial Mumbai municipal elections round the corner, it remains to be seen how Fadnavis manages to take on the Opposition against him, both from his own party and outside.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates has shown an interest in partnering with Maharashtra to strengthen its initiatives in the fields of AI-driven advancements in health, agriculture and infrastructure, along with dengue and malaria control. This has been the outcome of a meeting Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had in Mumbai with him. Fadnavis has been vigorously campaigning for attracting more and more FDI in the state so as to supplement the PM’s dream by taking Maharashtra’s GDP share to $ 1 trillion. Hence, the visit of Gates is considered a major achievement for him. Gates also was briefed on the famous Ladki Bahin Scheme.  Microsoft and the Gates Foundation have reportedly expressed an interest in participating in these initiatives, besides supporting the digitalisation of women’s financial transactions. Fadnavis told him that his government’s vision will include digitalisation in every sector and the establishment of a Skill University with the help of Microsoft. A scheme to train 10,000 women in AI with a view to fostering inclusivity in the tech revolution was also discussed. The first-ever meeting between Fadnavis and Gates is described as a milestone by both sides. Gates later tweeted on ‘X’: “Thank you, Dev Fadnavis for sharing your vision for a Viksit Maharashtra. I’m excited about opportunities to collaborate on digital platforms for women’s livelihood and AI-driven solutions in sectors like health and agriculture. Looking forward to working together to improve lives across Maharashtra.”

Taking a cue possibly from PM Narendra Modi who is focused on reviving rivers in the country — be it Sabarmati in Ahmedabad, Yamuna in Delhi or cleaning up the Ganga water front in Varanasi, the Congress government in Karnataka has zeroed in on playing the river card to please the Hindus by planning to pay tribute to the River Cauvery.  Of course, it not clear if the river card is an attempt to monkey balance its attempt to effect 4% Muslim or minority quota in government tenders. Media reports indicate a grand religious ceremony at Bengaluru’s Sankey Tank along the lines of the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi has been planned on March 21 evening. Coming ahead of Telugu/Kannada/Marathi New Year (Yugadi/Gudi Padva) that falls in March end, the river puja is bound to please the Hindus. Instead of relying on priests from Udupi, the Congress Govt has decided to fly in pandits from Varanasi familiar with river puja. The special ceremony is called Cauvery Aarti and is to be held under the initiative of the Bengaluru Water Supply & Sewerage Board, River Cauvery is the primary water source for approximately 70% of Bengalureans, supplying 2,225 million litres of water to the city daily. Following a procession and puja — the inaugural aarti is likely to be attended by CM Siddaramaiah and deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar. A temple dedicated to Shri Jala Gangamma Tayi stands near the lake. Sankey Tank was chosen because it is considered the birthplace of Vrishabhavathi, a tributary of the Cauvery. Sankey Tank is regarded as the cleanest lake in Bengaluru. Authorities had even conducted a special prayer when it was filled to the brim a few years ago.

For all of us who may have watched with much shock and awe the tense moments in the Parliament between Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and DMK MPs  battling over New Education Policy 2020 and Tamil Nadu government’s “flip-flop” over  Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) schools, it should come as some relief that an year-long effort to preserve and promote the Kamba Ramayanam, one of the most significant works in Tamil literature is kicking off on March 18 under the aegis of the South Zone Cultural Centre of the Ministry of Culture . Interestingly, the initiative aimed at reviving the oral tradition of Kamba Ramayanam recitals ceremony is being inaugurated by the Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in coordination with the TN government from the temple town Trichy. The ambitious programme is taking place at the historic Srirangam Temple with participation from Kamba Ramayanam Mandali (cultural troupes) from across the state. It may be recalled that PM Modi had listened to Kamba Ramayanam in the very same Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in January 2024. It is possible that Shekhawat was only doing a follow up act. Post the inaugural event, performances will be followed by events at several temples across the state. A week-long festival will be held at Kambar Medu (Mar 30-Apr 6), the birthplace of Kambar in Therazhundur, near Kumbakonam. Between (Jul-Oct) schools are being encouraged to engage with Kamba Ramayanam to culminate in a grand finale at Kambar Medu during the Dussehra celebrations. Plans are afoot to set up a museum at Kambar Medu dedicated to the life and works of Kambar, and his version of the Ramayana, composed in the 12th-13th century CE.

Did PM Modi recently visit Mauritius keeping the upcoming Bihar elections in November in mind? Possibly. It may not please the Opposition parties, but Modi’s visit to the African nation where he was greeted with traditional Bihari songs at the airport are bound to irk parties vying to take on the BJP in the polls. Often referred to as “mini Bihar” because of the large number of people of Bihar origin who had relocated there as indentured labourers, starting in 1834, Modi went all out to signal his intent to strengthen ties with the thriving Bihari diaspora in the island nation. First, he presented makhana (fox nuts) to his Mauritian counterpart Navin Ramgoolam and started his speech at an event in Bhojpuri to the delight of Mauritians. Nearly 70% of the population in Mauritius are of Indian origin. More than half of them are descendants of indentured labourers (girmitiya mazdoor) who were sent to plantations in Mauritius from Bihar and UP by the then British colonial rulers. Modi was conferred with the highest national honour of Mauritius, ‘Order of the Star and Key of Indian Ocean’ on its National Day in Port Louis. He also handed Overseas Citizens of India cards to Mauritius PM Ramgoolam and his wife Veena.  He gifted President Dharam Gokhool and First Lady Vrinda Ganga water collected from Prayagraj during the recently concluded Maha Kumbh. Throughout the visit, the PM’s social media handles put up posts in Bhojpuri and were shared by senior BJP leaders and members. During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA lost some significant Bhojpuri-speaking constituencies such as Buxar, Ara, Sasaram, and Aurangabad. The Bhojpuri belt in Bihar is spread across 10 districts and comprises 73 Assembly seats.

The BJP and AIADMK have agreed informally to have an alliance for the Tamil Nadu polls of 2026. K. Annamalai, who heads the TN BJP and Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) of AIADMK have agreed to come together again after the AIADMK broke the alliance because it believed it lost more from the association with a party that propagates Hindutva. The two have also agreed to keep their alliance intentions under wraps for now lest the many influences around the TN political scene try to disrupt the coming together of parties that can dent the DMK’s chances of winning the polls. EPS is not interested at the moment in bringing back the former CM O Panneerselvam and his mentor Sasikala, but he may have to compromise if the national BJP insists on everyone coming together to take on the DMK. The BJP would like an even bigger alliance with Vijay’s debutante party TVK in it, but the actor has taken such a strong line against all other Tamil Nadu parties that he may have no option but to go it alone. The Opposition parties are aware that their best chance to take advantage of the building anti-incumbency and feelings running against the DMK’s family rule is to unite. Whether that would be possible with Vijay being the X factor in the coming elections is moot. With a little over a year to go, no development on the alliance front is to be ruled out but the AIADMK-BJP alliance is already sealed.

Even as the world awaits with bated breath, bourses plunge to new found depths over Trump’s tariff war prospect, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi may have preempted the probable negative repercussions upon our nation. While the U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged PM Modi as a better negotiator than even himself, India has smartly leveraged American keenness to sell its F35 fifth generation fighters while securing for itself what may at worst play out as a friendly tariff war. Highly placed sources reveal that the Indian PM’s visit to USA was strategically preceded by NSA Ajit Doval and external affairs minister S Jaishankar’s coordinated foreign tours to France, Russia where possible technology transfer deals were fine tuned in the wake of the two-year delay by USA to despatch two futuristic sixth gen fighter engines through GE. While Trump threatens reciprocal tariffs, Modi’s pre-emptive strike of shopping for the technology elsewhere may dampen American spirits enough to ensure a preferential trade agreement instead being hammered out before the end of the 2025 calendar year. Russia and France are only too ready to offer next gen aviation designs, marine drone technology, joint ventures into space and much more while the USA lobbies hard to register F35 sales to India. Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged Modi’s role leading to the de-escalation of the Ukraine war and also promised to forge better relations between India and China going ahead. This would also hang heavy over Trump were he to launch his tariff tirade against India more specifically. Meanwhile, Iran is on the watchlist for a collective military offensive in the coming days over its nuclearization plans.

Oppressor Emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb near Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar in Marathwada region of Maharashtra is threatened to be demolished with a Babri-like operation. The warning has been issued by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal leaders after a crescendo took place with the release of Hindi movie Chhaava that depicts the tragic end of Chhatrapati Sambhaji due to the torture by Aurangzeb. The demand was first voiced by Udayan Raje Bhosale, BJP MP from Satara and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s direct descendent. Aurangzeb spent the last 27 years in Maharashtra to end the Maratha rule but was unsuccessful. He breathed his last at Ahilya Nagar and was buried at Khultabad near Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, respecting his last wish. The tombs of Aurangzeb and Afzal Khan, who had come to eliminate Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, have been sore points for Hindutva proponents. Aurangzeb’s tomb is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India. The saffron organisations have planned state wide protests to press their demand to do away with Aurangzeb tomb, failing which the next course of action will be declared. However, some of their leaders have reminded the government of the Kar Seva for the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the subsequent demolition of the Babri, which had come up at the location. Leaders of the Congress party and the NCP (SP) faction have condemned the announcement. Some of them have argued that the tomb should be preserved as a symbol of defeat of the Emperor and his end in frustration in Maharashtra.

The recent arrest of Soumya Sankar Chakra, an influential Biju Janata Dal Youth Wing leader, for his alleged involvement in a multi-crore Gandhamardan mine corruption case, particularly mineral transportation fraud racket in Keonjhar district, has won applause for the Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi.  It is learnt that BJD’s senior leader and former minister Badri Narayan Patra had alerted Naveen Patnaik’s office about Chakra’s involvement in the alleged scam in a confidential report just before 2024 elections. Strangely, the top leadership looked the other way. Patra alleged that Chakra ran an illegal operation in cahoot with a former Keonjhar district collector and senior police officers prior to the 2024 Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. Amidst recent disruption in the Odisha assembly that saw Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahini suspended for seven days and now the arrest of BJD leader Chakra. The question everybody is asking is: “Why LoP Naveen Patnaik is missing from Odisha suddenly”. Rumour is, Naveen babu soon after meeting the DMK delegation led by DMK leader Dayanidhi Maran and TRB Rajaa suddenly left for Delhi. Sources say Patnaik was meeting unofficially top rung BJP leaders to douse the fire regarding the ongoing corruption investigation against BJD Youth leader Chakra. Sources say Naveen’s fear is if Chakra spills the beans then BJD could be in deep trouble. Everybody knows Naveen babu is very close to PM Modi, yet it is learnt that Patnaik’s Man Friday VK Pandian is possibly in Delhi helping him meet the right kind of people.

In Maharashtra, TV news channels are playing violent videos of men being bashed, either by the supporters of local Beed BJP legislator Suresh Dhas or from those opposing him. One of Dhas’s supporters was also seen showering stacks of currency notes from his car apart from stocking deer meat. Other videos showed men being bashed up with cricket bats. The videos started emerging after the resignation of Ajit Pawar aide minister Dhananjay Munde following videos of his supporters urinating over an almost-dead Santosh Deshmukh and even clicking selfies with his body. After the resignation of Munde, the law and order situation in Beed was expected to subside. Instead, a war of violent videos of party workers bashing individuals to prove which group is more cruel has started doing the rounds on social media and TV channels. Pankaja Munde has suggested a link between these allegations of violence since her rise as a minister. Pankaja has publicly claimed that she had complained to her party bosses about the way her home district was deliberately being kept on the boil, despite assurances. The Beed drama has now shifted from an inter-coalition campaign to a campaign against one from within the BJP with factionalism clearly out in the open. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis who is believed to have unleashed his party MLA Dhas initially against Munde seems to have clearly shifted his target within his own party too. Dhas has accused Pankaja of siding with an independent candidate in the recent elections. Pankaja, recently shared stage with Sharad Pawar and his family at a Pawar-hosted event at Baramati, where she publicly praised him.

For the first time perhaps in India, police personnel in a district have started wearing just their names and not their surnames on their uniform nameplates. This has happened in the strife-stricken Beed district of Marathwada region in Maharashtra. Superintendent of Police Navneet Kanwat implemented this measure after allegations became rampant that even the police force in the district had been operating on a caste basis. At the core of the charge is the caste-based rift between the powerful Maratha and Vanjari communities ever since influential minister Dhananjay Munde was embroiled in a serious episode which was triggered off due to the heinous murder of a sarpanch, Santosh Deshmukh, allegedly by henchmen of Munde. After tremendous pressure was exerted, he had to resign since the Mahayuti government was in the dock owing to the collapsed law and order situation in the district. As the caste related allegations became a crescendo, Kanwat decided to minimize the gravity of the situation by ordering the police personnel to just display their names and not the surnames. He himself wears the nameplate that merely says Navneet. The district became a hotbed of tension since Maratha reservation proponent Manoj Jarange, who belongs to the district, launched an agitation to press the demand, enraging the OBC community since he demanded a reservation share from the OBC quota. The repercussions of the class between the two communities reflected in the Lok Sabha elections last year as the Mahayuti lost heavily. Social engineering measures by the Mahayuti strategists turned the tables in the legislative assembly election that was swept by the saffron alliance. Navneet has been praised by non-partisan groups for this unprecedented experiment.

The possibility of the coming together of veteran leader Sharad Pawar and his estranged nephew, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, has continued to be a topic of great interest in Maharashtra ’s politics. Though neither has given any such indication, the media does not let go of even a slightest such signal. The speculation has been revived as Ajit’s second son Jay called on the patriarch to seek the blessings of the family elder. Pawar and his wife Pratibha as well as other clan members greeted Jay and the bride-to-be, Rutuja Patil at their home. Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule released a picture of the union, making it a breaking news. The betrothal will take place in Pune on 10 April. Rutuja is the daughter of Praveen Patil, who runs a social media firm. Jay was seen actively participating in the recent parliament and assembly elections for his father’s faction of the Nationalist Congress Party, which was founded by Sharad Pawar in 1999 and split by Ajit in 2022. Ajit’s wife Sunetra contested the Lok Sabha election, lost to Supriya and despite the defeat, was sent to the Rajya Sabha by Ajit’s party. While Ajit’s elder son Parth is active in politics, Jay is away from it and is seen only occasionally on public platforms. Ajit’s appearance at a couple of family functions where Sharad Pawar was present had led to predictions that both were coming closer but nothing has transpired thereafter. With Jay’s obeisance to grandfather, the media once again is having a field day.

On March 6, the Enforcement Directorate investigated Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji’s close circle of liquor vendors /suppliers and many in the TASMAC liquor chain network, including its head office in Egmore. For five days an ominous silence but on March 13, an avalanche hit the TN government –the 2-page report cited many clauses of the 1988 Anti-Corruption Act, some even citing TN ‘s own FIRs. Take your pick from the violations …Rs 10 to Rs 30 MRP hike per bottle, choice of amenable vendors who paid speed money, appointment and transfer of staff and the nexus between this spirited scam of top officials and the TASMAC network. In fact, a mound of corruption that enabled many a tippler to remain high but brought down the intoxication of ill-gotten wealth for TASMAC operators. The high point is the way “Bar Tenders” (pun intended) were selected and awarded, choosing amenable distilleries, choice of glass bottles that clinked even as TASMAC swept in the money. SNJ, KALS, Accord, SAIFL, Shiva Distillery are quoted in the big fraud. Devi Bottles, GLR Holdings and Crystal also came under the scanner. “We are investigating this well spun spider web of nexus of stakeholders involved in one of TN’s highest revenue earners — TASMAC. But surprisingly no mention of Senthil Balaji, the minister in charge of liquor business. There are strong rumours that Senthil Balaji may be arrested again? It may be recalled that Balaji was arrested on June 13, 2023 and released on bail on September 26, 2024.

Bengal BJP is grappling with a significant internal crisis as it faces a series of resignations, defections, and internal dissent. Once boasting 77 MLAs after the 2021 state assembly elections, the party’s strength has now dwindled to 65, with concerns looming over the loyalty of several MLAs. The BJP’s legislative strength began to shrink soon after the 2021 assembly elections. Initially reduced to 75 MLAs when two elected members, also serving as MPs, resigned as the party had failed to secure power. Since then, eight more MLAs have defected, one passed away, and another resigned after winning a parliamentary seat in 2024. Tamluk MLA Tapasi Mondal’s defection to ruling TMC was particularly alarming as she belonged to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s stronghold. In North Bengal, Kurseong MLA Bishnu Prasad Sharma has openly criticized the BJP’s leadership for failing to deliver on promises of special status for the Darjeeling Hills. In Nadia and North 24 Parganas, BJP MLAs in these regions, particularly those with ties to the influential Matua community, have kept the party anxious. Before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, two MLAs were given parliamentary tickets to prevent them from defecting, yet both failed to win. The influence of regional leaders like Ananta Maharaj in North Bengal has complicated BJP’s internal dynamics. With the 2026 state assembly elections in sight, the BJP faces an urgent need to stabilize its ranks. The party’s ability to manage dissent, especially in politically sensitive zones like North Bengal and Matua-dominated regions, will be critical. While the TMC’s aggressive poaching strategy has played a role, the BJP’s own failure to manage internal grievances and regional dynamics has compounded its problems.

Just fresh from the resignation of a cabinet minister, and despite fissures within the ruling coalition, the Opposition in Maharashtra has failed to seize the opportunity that has presented itself before them. The resignation of Ajit Pawar aide Dhananjay Munde was not the result of any Opposition campaign but rather it was the result of inter-coalition disputes within the ruling alliance coming to the fore. Munde’s resignation was a result of a strong sustained campaign led by the BJP legislator Suresh Dhas meant to undermine the Ajit Pawar camp. The fodder for the accusation, that the irrigation department was being run on the whims of Fadnavis associate Mohit Kambhoj, was also said to be provided by intra-party elements within the BJP. That the Opposition could not even present a united picture during the traditional post-budgetary press conference was telling about the state of the Opposition in Maharashtra. Uddhav Thackeray addressed it all alone with the Congress missing in action and their senior leaders restricting themselves to issuing statements while Sharad Pawar’s NCP representative Jayant Patil stuck to the TV debates. Uddhav’s decision to go alone in the forthcoming BMC elections, seems to have particularly peeved his coalition partners. Uddhav seems to have lost patience with his alliance partners. In the case of NCP, it seems to be busy dealing with its own internal schism between Rohit Pawar and Jayant Patil that had led to the party yet to declare its leader of legislative party. While Congress seems lost in its internal factionalism with strong leaders refusing to work with the new appointee state party president Harshavardhan Sapkal. Unlike the lacklustre Opposition, the ruling allies, in contrast, are actively working against each other, unsettling the majority Devendra Fadnavis 2.0 government.  

BJP MLC Ranjitsinh Mohite Patil’s son Vijayibhav Vishwatjejsinh wed the daughter of UdaySinh Rameshrao Chikli, K Shivanshika at Akluj, Malshiras taluka in Solapur on March 8. While a lakh people attended the holy matrimony to include Maharashtra’s royalty, Rajaharshi Shahu Maharaj, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Shivendra Raje, Maloji Raje Bhonsale (Kolhapur), Nagpur’s Sangram Sinh Raje Bhosale and the Mewad Rajput clan and yet, no BJP leaders showed up. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, deputy CMs Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde missed the do. Maharashtra’s political history reveals 52 years old Ranjitsinh’s own wedding attended by over a lakh plus people and, even his father, former deputy CM Vijaysinh Mohite Patil’s wedding ceremony way back in 1971 witnessed one lakh people in attendance along with politicians from across the political lines. The lakh plus attendance at the three marriage ceremonies was maintained despite being familial affairs and non-political. When former DCM Vijaysinh Mohite Patil tied the knot with Nandini Devi (Mai Saheb) in 1971 criticism emanated over the sheer opulence exhibited when every well in Akluj (a water scarcity hit region) was filled with slabs of ice in every household to ensure free flow of water. Vijaysinh’s father Shankarrao Mohite Patil (Maharashtra’s founding Minister of Cooperation) simply explained, “Every family invitee to my son’s wedding has hosted me earlier and outside whose house I have washed my hands (had a meal). At my own son’s wedding ceremony, I invited each of them.” The Maharashtra minister is also famously cited for organizing free helicopter flights in his hometown for local farmers who he insisted would easily afford flights upon attaining their true potential as agriculturists.

A year ahead of Tamil Nadu elections, every statement or utterance by political leaders is being micro analysed to see the impact on alliances on the ground. Well that is what happened when Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK)’s special political advisor Prashant Kishor stated that the party will contest the Tamil Nadu 2026 Assembly elections independently and will not form an alliance with the AIADMK, Tamil Nadu’s principal opposition party. Kishor, who had shared the dais with actor Vijay at a TVK event, also claimed that Vijay’s on-screen popularity would ensure the party’s victory in the Assembly polls. Kishor’s remarks came amidst reports that AIADMK and TVK talks for a potential alliance to challenge the DMK in the crucial 2026 elections seemed headed in a deadlock. That was because AIADMK refused to give any edge to the new party and insisted on contesting a majority of the 234 assembly seats. TVK’s general secretary (election campaign management) Aadhav Arjuna clarified that Vijay didn’t launch the new party just to settle for 40 or 45 seats. Did actor Vijay enter politics — on behalf of the DMK only to divide anti-incumbency votes against it? Kishor has had a history of working with the DMK. On his part, Kishor has been trying to keep himself away from the anti-Hindi politics of TVK. Like a grounded Bihari leader he had refused to sign a petition against the New Education Policy of the Centre) at the TVK event. Elaborating on Vijay’s potential to go alone in TN, Kishor said that “…If he goes alone, he stands a very good chance.” Left without an ally, AIADMK is once again looking to fall back on holding hands with BJP which along with its allies had polled 18% votes in 2024 Lok Sabha polls going alone.

The Union Health Minister JP Nadda seems gung-ho to eradicate TB from India by the end of this year, 2025. He made this statement recently at a health summit held in Puri, Odisha. To meet this objective, he said he will include aspirational districts and blocks under the TB campaign. What makes Health Minister Nadda confident to eliminate TB from India in 2025 — five years ahead of the global target 2030. This is because India has not diluted its TB eradication target so far. This is evident because India’s TB spread which tops 30 countries with high TB cases has now shown an impressive decline of 17.7% covering 2015-2023 compared to global average decline of 8.3%. Also during the same period the TB mortality has also decreased substantially. As per WHO Global Report, TB incidence in India has been reduced from 237 per 100,000 population in 2015 to 195 in 2023. Now this figure has shown a quantum jump in 2024, sources say. A head honcho from the Pharma industry says “It is wishful thinking at the moment”. Implying there are multiple challenges ahead wherein 64% symptomatic cases avoid seeking medical help or give up taking medicines. Giving way to drug resistant TB cases.  Industry sources say Nadda will succeed only if he ropes in industry bodies, incentivises the pharma players, conducts educational campaigns and conducts house-to-house surveys to identify TB cases. Pharma players government should rope in companies like Lupin which has done commendable work both in production of anti-drugs and educational campaigns for decades now.

Oppressor emperor Aurangzeb continues to haunt Maharashtra politics. Even as a storm is raging about his bloody reign owing to the praise heaped upon him by Samajwadi party MLA Abu Azmi, a demand to demolish his tomb near Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar in the state has started making ripples. The demand has been made by BJP MP Udayan Raje Bhosale, a direct descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He was livid because of Azmi’s statements. Already, sentiments against Aurangzeb have been inflamed after the release of Chhaava, a blockbuster movie. Bhosale’s demand is another angry reaction but is important due to his lineage. Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that though Bhosale has articulated everyone’s feelings, the government needs to proceed according to law. Moreover, the tomb has been declared as a protected monument by the ASI during the previous Congress rule, he has pointed out. Aurangzeb died on 3 March 1707 at Bhingar near Ahilya Nagar in north Maharashtra. Respecting his last wishes, he was cremated at Khuldabad in Marathwada near Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. While Rs.6.5 lakh has been expended for the tomb over the past 13 years, an insignificant amount has been spent for a memorial to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, according to Hindu Janajagruti Samiti’s Sunil Ghanwat. The Congress party has adopted a cautious stand. Its leader Vijay Wadettiwar has felt that the government should take a proper decision in this regard. However, it is wrong to create a rift in society over a religious matter, he has warned.

Looks like the BJP government in Odisha headed by Mohan Charan Majhi is hell bent on downplaying the legendary leader Biju Patnaik’s contributions to the state. It may be recalled that the BJP leaders were once rooting for a Bharat Ratna for Biju Patnaik as they enjoyed a good rapport with his son Naveen Patnaik, three-time chief minister of Odisha. But ever since the BJP government routed Naveen Patnaik in 2024 Assembly polls, they have changed their tune. The latest move by the Odisha government is not declaring a public holiday for Biju Jayanti on March 5. Instead, the Majhi government declared Panchayati Raj Divas celebration on April 24 as a national celebration. It may be recalled when BJD was ruling they had merged both Biju Jayanti and Panchayat Raj Divas celebration as one event declaring it as a public holiday since 1993. When BJP was in alliance with BJD they did not complain. Why, Majhi government choose to separate the two celebrations from this year? According to corridor whispers, CM Majhi wants to gradually phase out late Biju Patnaik from the public memory. Undoubtedly, he was one of the architects of modern Odisha and his son named the party – Biju Janata Dal — after him. A political source says that if the BJP wants to continue its reign in Odisha, then they must dilute the legacy and aura of Biju Patnaik. Meanwhile, BJD leader Naveen Patnaik has accused the BJP government of trying to change the name of Biju Patnaik International Airport. He has challenged the BJP by asking: Can you all erase Biju babu’s contributions like Paradip port, HAL, NTPC, OUAT, NIT-Rourkela and others?  

The Devendra Fadnavis 2.0 government got its way around in week one of its first budget session. Despite having to face the ignominy of resignation of a cabinet minister within three months of return to power, the Mahayuti government managed to get nothing on record on Dhananjay Munde’s resignation row. While the CM announced Munde’s resignation to media persons and not inside the assembly, Munde himself claimed in a tweet that he was quitting due to health reasons. This ensured that none of the gory details of the cruel murder of the Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, as captured in viral videos, that had triggered the resignation, entered the assembly records. The state also refused to put up a formal statement about it in the legislative assembly despite Opposition members moving a breach of privilege motion. Maha Vikas Aghadi  failed to get the Leader of the Opposition’s post when it chose to nominate an aggressive Bhaskar Jadhav over a fresher face like Aaditya Thackeray.  Similarly, to offset a slow growth rate of 7.3% as projected in the Economic Survey Report-2024-25, the Mahayuti government decided not to hike monthly stipend for women from Rs 1500 to Rs 2100 despite having promised in its election manifesto. Though it decided to continue with its populist schemes for now due to immense public pressure, the beneficiaries are being trimmed to ensure minimal burden on the state exchequer that is already reeling under a debt of over Rs 7.8 lakh crore. Strong laws against love jihad, religious conversions, social misinformation and even drunken unruly behaviour is also on the cards. The DF 2.0 government marks a term of strong aggressive, authoritarian governance with no room for Opposition sentiments. 

Another twist has been added to the present political suspense in Maharashtra by none other than chief minister Devendra Fadanvis. Reiterating that politics can take any turn, he told an interviewer that his relations with his bete noir Sharad Pawar or Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray were never sour. At the same time, he has discounted the possibility of teaming up with either of them “in view of the present political atmosphere.” Fadnavis said that had Uddhav accepted his telephone call then (in 2019), no rift between his Sena and the BJP would have occurred. Despite this, now both talk with each other, Fadnavis clarified. His assertion is considered meaningful as there are persistent media reports that the BJP is determined to rein in both deputy CMs, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. Cancellation of certain appointments made by Shinde and scrapping of some tenders finalised in the past have led to the discussion that Fadnavis is determined to root out corruption. Against this backdrop, Fadnavis said his mission was to bring about a transformation, not take revenge against anyone. The developments over the past five years have taught him that any type of political alliance is possible, he retorted, without blaming Sharad Pawar or Uddhav directly. In Maharashtra politics, political opponents were treated as enemies earlier but he had made it clear as soon as he took over as CM that his goal was development and not settling political scores.  

Samajwadi party’s suspended MLA Abu Azmi has refused to apologise for his controversial statement praising Moghul emperor Aurangzeb, who tortured Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj to death. While passions are extremely agitated against Azmi’s statement, he has told Marathi TV channel ABP Majha that he stands by his praise of Aurangzeb. In the interview, Azmi has levelled many charges against those who spoke against him while supporting a unanimous motion by the state legislative assembly to suspend him for the remaining duration of the current budget session. Some of the critics described Azmi as a ‘B Team’ of the BJP since the clamour for his suspension caused the issue of resignation of minister Dhananjay Munde to be pushed to the backburner. Azmi hit back by saying that only such matters which benefit the BJP are raised. “You will not know when those making such charges will go with the BJP,” he retorted. Azmi’s kudos of the oppressor Aurangzeb have had repercussions in Uttar Pradesh legislature, too. UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, while denouncing Azmi, roared, “Send him to UP, we will take care of him.” After his suspension from the assembly, the state government has decided to file a criminal case against him for his utterances. The all-party outpouring against Azmi has caused unprecedented unanimity between the ruling NDA government and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi. Nonetheless, Azmi is adamant about his stand. “I have not apologized for my statement, I have merely said that I shall withdraw it in case it has hurt anyone’s sentiments,” he maintained.

When the Congress recently announced the formation of a new department for Assets and Properties, it acknowledged for the first time the need to oversee and manage numerous properties and assets the party holds across the country that were either lying in disuse or being managed by agents. Party sources said AICC joint treasurer Vijay Inder Singla was given charge of the new initiative mainly because he was pushing to be Punjab PCC chief. He would apparently ensure that all properties belonging to the Congress are “regularised and monetised.” This decision was partly prompted by a recent dispute between the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) in Hubballi, which had escalated into a legal battle over ownership of a property. Congress sources revealed that there are over 2,000 such properties held by the party for years, many of which have fallen into disrepair or been illegally occupied. A senior leader from Tamil Nadu Congress said there was a huge plot of land in the heart of Chennai which belonged to the party that had the potential to be developed commercially and could meet fund requirements for the party nationally. Many lucrative assets of the party were being exploited privately by rent seekers, it was pointed out. It was happening not just in TN. Similar instances were identified in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Bengal, Punjab, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Party sources denied the initiative to reclaim the Congress properties and assets may prove to be challenging as documents to prove many original allottees may not be readily available. The Congress denied its move on collating info on its properties had anything to do with its fears that the government would usurp its assets if its papers weren’t in order. Or that the new Waqf law would take a toll on its properties.

Spiralling upwards, setting the national record, the Maha 2025-2026 budget close to Rs 10 lakh crore may be announced for Maharashtra with an emphasis on capex expenditure (infrastructure building) come Monday. This translates into 50% incremental funding over last year keeping with incremental government spendings registered across BJP ruled states of India. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath just kicked off his Rs 8.08 lakh crore budget without including supplementary demands added during the next fiscal year following up his Rs 7 lakh crore (base) 2024-2025 budget that grew close to Rs 8 lakh crore subsequently. Bihar has announced a Rs 3.70 lakh crore (base) budget. Earlier, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced a similar package for the state in her budget speech. Maharashtra’s deputy CM Ajit Pawar will present the Budget on March 10, which is expected to be in sync with PM Narendra Modi’s development template across India, and will bear the signature style of CM Devendra Fadnavis. Critics argue burgeoning debt and increasing fiscal deficit will turn unmanageable but, financial planners will confidently dive into infrastructure spending across Maharashtra, further enhancing creation of economically prosperous infrastructure corridors for high ROI for the state in coming years. For example: The Samruddhi expressway will mushroom economic hubs on either side of the roadway providing necessary impetus to achieve multi-fold target growth albeit, after a few years. Similarly, planned solar energy infrastructure for agriculture aims to convert foodgrain producers into energy providers while installed capacity of the state (currently 45000 MW) will rise to 85,000 MW in five years.

What connection can there be between Mercedes/Rolls Royce cars and Maharashtra politics? Apparently, none, but the two car brands have been making headlines in Maharashtra. State legislative council deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe created sensation when she alleged in Marathi Sahitya Sammelan held in New Delhi last month that a powerful post could be obtained in Shiv Sena (UBT) if its chief Uddhav Thackeray is presented with two Mercedes cars. There were denials, counter-allegations and defamation cases filed. Later, she clarified that her statement was based on ‘observation’ and not on ‘experience.’ Even before the dust had settled, the Chhaava movie’s fallout occurred in the form of an alleged phone call by former Nagpur journalist Prashant Koratkar to Kolhapur-based historian Indrajit Sawant for latter’s certain observations in regard to the demise of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj due to torture by Aurangzeb. Koratkar has denied that he ever made such a call. Supposedly close to the saffron camp, Koratkar is now being searched for possessing a Rolls Royce car (WB-02 AB0123). But more surprising is the information that the car was owned by chit fund criminal Mahesh Motewar. While Koratkar is still to be traced by the police, Motewar is cooling his heels in prison. The car was blocked by the CBI after his arrest. How Koratkar came to possess it, is another angle for the investigators. Once that mystery is unravelled, another chapter will be opened.

In a surprise move, the Left Front in West Bengal has decided to finalise the seat-sharing formula by April this year. The 2026 Assembly elections may be held between April and May. The one-year advance planning is to prevent any future complications. A senior leader from one of the Left’s allied parties revealed that all parties are expected to provide an update on their strength in each constituency by end March, detailing their ground-level presence and influence. At one time, the Forward Bloc dominated large areas of Cooch Behar, the CPI held sway over undivided Midnapore, and the RSP had strong organizations in South Dinajpur and areas like Joynagar and Kultali in South 24 Parganas. But the political landscape has drastically changed and the Left Front’s 34 years of uninterrupted rule was brought to an end by Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress some 14 years ago. According to Left Front sources, recently, in six by-elections to Assembly seats, the CPM contested only one seat on its own, in Taldangra, where it secured just over 10% of the vote. In other areas like Madarihat, the RSP, in Sitai, the Forward Bloc, and in Medinipur, the CPI garnered just 1-3% of the vote. This shift in support has prompted the Left Front to discard the seat-sharing formula that had been in place since the 1977 Assembly elections. However, as the Left Front navigates the altered political landscape, it has sought seat-sharing agreements with parties like Congress, the Indian Secular Front (ISF), and even smaller Left groups such as the CPM (Liberation), which had been outside the Front in recent times. Looks like the Left Front, particularly the CPI(M), is making serious attempts to adjust to new realities.

A well-known Tamil magazine had an intriguing sobriquet for two AIADMK ex- ministers, SP Velumani and P Thangamani, they were referred to as Bell Boys (Mani in Tamil means bell). These two gentlemen ran a power circuit as useful go-betweens for the party, exalting their worth. On March 3 this year, Velumani celebrated his son’s wedding with great pomp and show. But, the chief guest, AIADMK party head Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) was conspicuous by his absence, even as BJP heavyweights K Annamalai, Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, L Murugan and Khushboo Sundar came to greet the couple, Vikas and Dheekshana. Edappadi went off to address a party conclave in Theni, the home ground of his arch rival OPS to decimate his reputation. and perhaps this was one of the reasons why he gave the marriage a miss. There are some who aver that Edappadi did not want to start a talk about the BJP coalition with the obvious presence of the BJP movers and shakers attending the wedding. Did Velumani cause a discord by his closeness to Amit Shah by attending the Isha Foundation’s Mahashivratri celebration? Or was Edappadi cutting his nose to spite the face; his son Mithun is overtly building a bridge to actor Vijay, the Johnny-come-lately, Edappadi may want to nip this budding relationship. But the besieged ex-CM still proclaims that the party under his leadership is the only choice even as DMK is the enemy. This 2026 election circus promises many trapeze acts.

Did Home Minister Amit Shah and Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar have a secret understanding? That is when they met in Coimbatore at Isha Foundation for Mahashivratri? Karnataka BJP has made a provocative statement, drawing parallels between DKS and Maharashtra’s Shiv Sena breakaway leader Eknath Shinde. “There are many in Congress who could be like Eknath Shinde, DKS might be one of them,” claimed Leader of the Opposition R Ashok suggesting that the Congress strongman could be on the verge of engineering a split within the party. Ashok’s remarks assume significance as he, like DKS, also belongs to the Vokkaliga-Gowda community.  BJP sources indicate that Shah had a 15-minute one-on-one meeting with Shivakumar. It is this factoid of information that had fuelled Karnataka BJP leadership to ratchet up murmurs of infighting within the ruling state Congress. Sensing an opportunity to deepen the cracks, BJP leader Ashok said he had long anticipated a leadership change within the Congress-led government, hinting that CM Siddaramaiah could soon make way for DKS in November this year. DKS, however, dismissed all speculation of a political switch as baseless. He also categorically denied any plans to defect to the BJP, dubbing the claims as “BJP propaganda.” “I am a born Congressman and committed to leading the party to victory in the 2028 assembly elections,” he asserted. As for his recent religious visits, Shivakumar downplayed its political significance. It is being said, he is very unhappy with the way Rahul Gandhi is treating him. DKS apparently had been promised that he will be made CM when Siddaramaiah completes two years in office in November. But the Congress high command is scared that Siddaramaiah will split the party if he is asked to step down for DKS. 

Visitors to a conference on ‘Good Ideas’ in Abu Dhabi and an AI summit in the UAE were in for a major surprise as Artificial Rain is giving way to Artificial Intelligence. Cloud seeding is an old idea from the oil-rich UAE decades ago but today AI seems to have equipped the process with more power. The day the delegates landed in Abu Dhabi the weather, at 35 degrees Celsius peak, was hot. And the next day the day’s top temperature was 22 C and the contrast seemed to make it appear as if winter had set in suddenly once again in the land of the desert sands. Under a thick cloud cover all day, the wind was howling. The Met Office in Dubai tried to explain it saying cold winds were blowing in from Saudi Arabia and Iraq, but locals said with a wink and a smile that this weather change was artificial as the UAE rulers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai wanted the days to be cool at the beginning of the Ramadan month.  While speakers were referring mostly to the good that AI can do and does, those giving voice to the lurking fears around AI were also around. The handling of the weather for good by changing the weather a bit with creation of artificial rain is a pointer to the infinite possibilities of AI though it can go wrong as it did last year when Dubai saw unprecedented flooding causing chaos.

It may be a genuine slip of the tongue or deliberate but opponents don’t miss the opportunity to make the most of it. Recall while addressing NRI audiences in the USA in 2014, PM Modi referred to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi as Mohanlal Karamchand Gandhi. Similarly, while talking about Ayushman Bharat health scheme, Modi said it allowed a resident of Jamnagar to avail treatment anywhere in the country — be it ‘Kolkata’ or ‘Karachi’. A few months back, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said “May Narendra Modi become CM again”. Recently, Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer, while addressing a joint session of both the houses, addressed the chief minister as ‘Narendra’ Chandrababu Naidu instead of ‘Nara’ Chandrababu Naidu. Was it a Freudian slip? Similarly, during the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, BJP leader Dr Sambit Patra while canvassing for votes in the holy city of Puri, told the gathering that “Lord Jagannath is my bhakt”. Two years back a Congress spokesperson misread PM Modi’s full name. Andhra Pradesh Governor’s unintended slip was trolled. And looks like the opposition leader YS Jagan Mohan Reddy of YSR Congress party is leaving no stones unturned to capitalise on this golden opportunity to get some publicity for his party and party men.  Political analysts say this tit-for-tat is repeating in Andhra Pradesh once again. In June 2019, the then newly appointed deputy CM P Pushpa Srivani belonging to the YSR Congress faction while addressing a Press Conference inadvertently said her government aimed to deliver “corrupt rule” instead of saying “corrupt free rule”.. It’s not endemic to India, it happens world over. Recall how UK PM Keir Starmer accidentally asked for the release of Israeli ‘sausages’ instead of ‘hostages’. 

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is on mission mode since assuming office and extended his micro-management skills (exhibited in run up to state assemblies) to laser focus the state administration. Rooting out inefficiencies, corruption (as shortpost.in reported on Feb 4) within bureaucracy under his 3.0 tenure, Fadnavis has targeted truant IAS officers (including former BEST GMs Anil Diggikar, Harshdeep Kamble) as also kept on hold recommendations from his own cabinet colleagues for appointing personal secretaries, officers on special duty (OSDs). The CM had cleared 109 out of 125 recommendations received by the CMO. Fadnavis silenced criticism emanating from some ministerial quarters over pending postings while emphatically stating it was his prerogative and decision that was final. Maharashtra’s state secretariat is abuzz about collective political grouping within the Mahayuti alliance upset with the CM putting his foot down against ministerial staff carrying legacy of inefficiency and corruption. Fadnavis is enraged over corruption charges levelled against MMRDA by a French consultant involved in his pet ‘Maha Mumbai Metro’ project, ordering a probe. A political war of words broke out, meanwhile, between alliance counterparts: deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar over one-upmanship for second spot in Maharashtra’s political leadership. Shinde’s averment, “Don’t take me lightly,” found resonance in Pawar’s jibe, “Keep check on public averments as alliance protocol.” Pawar also noted he could overturn the horse-cart. All eyes will be on Maharashtra’s budget that deputy CM Pawar will announce over the next fortnight and implications for Shinde’s party held departments, as the political feud escalates. 

There are movie stars, and there are movie stars who want to be a part of society and its serious concerns. R Madhavan (54) has consistently come through as a middle class mascot and muse for social issues. His film Rocketry: The Nambi Effect — a sensitive work to lay bare how politics impacts individual brilliance, focussed on the need to bring controversy to closure. His Railway Men, series on the 1984 Bhopal Gas tragedy was an effort to highlight the same puerile political interferences that leave a trail of human tragedy behind. His very first Tamil film AlaiPayuthey was directed by Mani Ratnam in which he played the romantic hero. After this movie, Madhavan became every girl’s chocolate hero. Try as he could, his middle class Jamshedpur upbringing and morally upright, wholesome image could never be dented by filmi pretentiousness. So, it did not come as a surprise that he recently launched his socially conscious app, Parent Geenee with an impassioned plea for parents to become more involved with their children’s way of life. Today’s kids are overly precocious, almost shedding their childhood and innocence, an integral part of growing up. And games like Blue Whale and Port Knight send shivers down the spine… every child is in his own world, his parents lost to any communication or bonding. This app is meant to be a responsible “seeing eye” to parents, giving them elbow room to know and be aware of what their offspring is up to. In an era where film folks make news for broken marriages and stormy lives, here is a hero who wants to be with his audience as a silent force in bringing up children. There are heroes but a socially conscious hero is special.

Irrespective of whether Aaditya Thackeray bags the post of leader of the opposition’s post in Maharashtra or not, Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena is pushing the envelope a bit far. Edged out by Eknath Shinde in the polls, Uddhav’s options are limited. Uddhav Sena with 20 seats, Congress 16 and Sharad Pawar’s NCP  10 seats, officially can’t claim the top slot. The Opposition does not even qualify for the LoP’s post, since none of the three parties have the requisite 28 seats or 10% of the 288 seats — the qualifying mark. Technically the ball is in the speaker’s court on whether to allow a Leader of the Opposition in the current situation but CM Devendra Fadnavis is said to be in favour of Aaditya. The other UBT Sena choice, six-time legislator Bhaskar Jadhav is too sharp and strong for the comfort of the ruling party. The soft-spoken Aaditya’s lack of experience — he is just on his 2nd term — could just help the ruling Mahayuti alliance tide over its own weak points. Despite having 237 seats, the Mahayuti has been on the backfoot over issues like reining in populist schemes, women’s safety, internal friction between ruling parties and even demand for resignation of two ministers over allegations of corruption and extortion attempt. Letting in Aaditya also helps snub Eknath Shinde, whom the BJP has been trying to clamp down for nursing ambition for the state’s top job. Shinde’s decisions are being overturned, cancelled or reviewed. A clearly upset Shinde has already started warming up to Sharad Pawar and even met up with Amit Shah to get his way around with Fadnavis. 

The selection of the next state president of the West Bengal BJP has sparked intense debate within the party. Multiple candidates are under consideration, with survey agencies playing a crucial role in the decision-making process. Traditionally surveys were used for selecting candidates during elections. Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have relied on survey agencies to gauge the political climate across the states. In Bengal, such surveys were used to select candidates for the 2021 Assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Shah personally monitors the Bengal BJP unit, aided by the Ahmedabad-based political strategy firm. A major recommendation is to consolidate the party’s leadership without violating internal policies. Currently, different factions exist around state president Sukanta Majumdar, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, and former president Dilip Ghosh. Additionally, the two leaders handling organizational matters have their own support bases. To resolve this, the survey agency suggests appointing a state president who won’t emerge as a rival power centre, possibly a MP from tribal or marginalized communities. Another suggestion is to establish a campaign committee, likely led by Suvendu, which would allow him to play a crucial role without violating the “one person, one post” rule. Former president Dilip Ghosh is expected to have an expanded role in reviving BJP’s presence in Rarh and Jangalmahal regions. Amit Shah’s upcoming visit to Bengal is expected to finalize the party’s electoral strategy. The selection process for the next president is critical, with names like Jyotirmoy Mahato, Samik Bhattacharya, and Subrata Chatterjee being considered. Chatterjee’s organizational expertise and RSS background make him a strong contender.

Former J&K Governor, Manoj Sinha, under whose watch sections 370 and 35 (A) were shrugged off from India’s constitution, elections held in Ladakh, J&K Union Territories peacefully, has made the shortlist for appointment as BJP’s next National President come March 15. Even former Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar and Bhupinder Yadav are in the fray with the latter enjoying a slight edge over the former, who donated all his property to the PM Relief Fund. Some within BJP are unenthusiastic over Sinha’s candidature though he always held vital Ministries even earlier. His lack of organizational (general secretary post) skills has RSS less than supportive. “Sinha was never overtly pro-Hindu. He restarted religious processions of the Shia community, stopped since militancy peaked in the forehead state of India.” His less than friendly relationship with   UP CM Yogi Adityanath (who put his foot down when Sinha was seriously considered for CM’s post in the Hindu heartland state of UP). Then, BJP’s high command acceded in deference to Yogi, made Sinha (who lost Gazipur seat) wait two years before appointing him as J&K Governor. Outgoing President JP Nadda was similarly RSS’ first choice in 2014 and yet, PM Modi anointed Amit Shah. Thereafter, Nadda was accommodated as leader of Rajya Sabha, a post Piyush Goyal had to vacate. Nadda’s organisational helming of affairs for BJP was marred by Himachal Pradesh loss, his own backyard state, his exit from top leadership post became an almost certainty, although he was given one year extension due to 2024 general elections of India.

The next BJP chief could be announced within a fortnight, sources have indicated, citing that the organisational elections of the party have been completed in 12 states. Sources said the party’s national president was likely to be announced before March 15 or Holi. For the election of the BJP president, organisational elections in 50% of the states is a must. Before that, elections are held for booth, mandal, and district levels. Currently, elections in only 12 of 36 states are complete. So, elections for unit chiefs in at least six more states are needed. The BJP is fast-tracking the process in states that are due for assembly elections next year — Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Gujarat. Incumbent BJP chief JP Nadda was unanimously elected the BJP national president, and took over from current Union Home Minister Amit Shah in 2020. His tenure was extended until June 2024 in view of the Lok Sabha election. A number of names have been doing the rounds. While everyone thought it would be someone from the OBC community like Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan or Bhupinder Yadav, UP deputy CM Keshav Maurya was also seen pushing his case. However, post-Maha Kumbh and   with UP assembly elections down the road, it seemed unwise to disturb power equations with CM Yogi. Party sources made it clear that the next chief would have to be from the north and most likely with a strong organisational background. All this indicates that the next chief was likely to be Union minister Manohar Lal Khattar– a two-term Haryana CM, who by the way speaks Tamil (TN CM Stalin may note). He leads the race as he enjoys PM Modi’s trust. Just as Nadda did.

In a high-stakes display of political manoeuvring, West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee took center stage in a highly anticipated party meeting, reaffirming her command over the party. With the 2026 State Assembly election looming, Mamata made it clear that her party will come back to power with resounding victory for the fourth term garnering over 215 seats. All eyes were on the long-anticipated reunion between Didi and her nephew, TMC’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. After months of speculation about internal rifts, their joint appearance was meant to silence whispers of discord. Abhishek, who had been conspicuously absent from key party affairs. So, Mamata’s strategic decision to place him as just a member of the critical 35-member voter list review committee—led by state president Subrata Bakshi—raised eyebrows. Adding to the intrigue, four relatively new MPs—Yusuf Pathan, Sagarika Ghosh, Kirti Azad, and Shatabdi Roy—were given speaking slots ahead of Abhishek, breaking the usual tradition where he directly precedes Didi at party events. The move hinted at a recalibration of hierarchy within the party, reinforcing Mamata’s supreme authority. Equally significant was Mamata’s shifting stance on I-PAC, the political consultancy firm long associated with Abhishek’s camp. Once wary of its influence, she had earlier instructed party members to withhold information from its representatives, leading to speculation that she was distancing herself from Abhishek’s strategies. However, recent meetings between Mamata and I-PAC’s current head, Pratik Jain, have reversed this perception. She has now warned against speaking negatively about the firm, a move seen by many as a sign of reconciliation—or at least, strategic necessity—in the run-up to 2026.

Fast food and instant gratification are the mainstays of the millennium. Experience, long gestations and political staying power are now passé. That is if you believe South’s hero in a hurry. Superstar Vijay put his party’s (TVK) second anniversary celebrations in cheeky overdrive and stupendous overconfidence. The event held at a resort in Pooncheri near Mahaabs had all the film features of a runaway hit film…pageantry, crowds of party cadres, money spent unstintingly and of course undiluted devotion to Vijay. If TVK had their way, Vijay was already TN’s CM-designate. With so much intoxication of electoral popularity stemming from film star power, Prashant Kishor who seamlessly moved in as poll Bhishma, had to perforce prop himself and his invincibility. So, what was PK’s role? In his own words, “I have come here as Vijay’s friend …TVK’s victory need not be attributed to me. I see this new star on the horizon zooming to his goal”. Soon, many of you may be in positions of power. But TN badly needs a striking change from its 35-year history, even though it is the leader in many development indices. But it also leads to corruption, could face religious and culture conflicts if this dynastic succession goes on. The PK punch came now…Just watch, I may be more celebrated than Dhoni when TVK comes to power. TN has to wait and watch for the hustings.