Congress MP Shashi Tharoor cannot be ignored or intimidated even by his own party. But surprisingly his talents, communication and diplomatic skills are overlooked…deliberate or by accident? Tharoor’s felicity with English and his fluent communication is often dubbed intellectual arrogance. A recent interview with Al Arabia is bound to make the country look at him with awe and admiration. It is a lesson in non-partisan voice in a time of national crisis. Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs he has hit home the fact that the current conflict with Pakistan is India’s “calibrated response” to Pakistan’s repeated terrorist incursions. “India is not escalating, merely reacting with precision and restraint by hitting back at terrorist locations.” Pakistan is a master of denial …the most humiliating one when Osama Bin Laden was given sanctuary in Abbottabad. Tharoor further goes on to laud the term “Sindoor” and how appropriate it is in the context of the terror killing of a newly-wed man at Pahalgam …in one swoop , his wife’s as well as many other victim’s sindoor was wiped off. Why then is the Congress High Command not openly volunteering his talents as a global media mouthpiece to defend India’s stand? The BJP and especially Modi have extended their hand openly. At the Vizhinjam Port inauguration, Modi was all admiration for Tharoor’s presence. Is the tipping point at hand now? Whatever the political exigencies and ideology compulsions, a resource like Tharoor could well be harnessed for India’s benefit.

The Indian armed forces successfully executed ‘Operation Sindoor’ in the early hours of May 7 carrying out targeted strikes on nine “terrorist infrastructure” sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack that had left 26 civilians dead. Shortly after the confirmation of military strikes in Pakistan, the Indian Army in a post on X said, “Justice is served. Jai Hind!”. The best part about the strike was the surprise element. Delhi chose to strike Pakistan in the wee hours on a day when it may have least expected. That’s because across the nation citizens had been asked to prepare for civil defence for a war like situation! Modi, who had vowed stern action to the terror attack had monitored Operation Sindoor throughout the night. In a big boost to military strikes, JeM chief Masood Azhar who is responsible for multiple terror attacks in India admitted that 10 members of his family had been killed in the attack on Jama Masjid Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur. Details of Op Sindoor were shared with the media by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and two women officers from the services — Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh. Colonel Qureshi, who hails from Gujarat clarified that no military infrastructure of Pakistan was struck during the operation. Foreign Secretary Misri said that the probe into the Pahalgam terror attack had clearly established Pakistan links. He also noted  that Pakistan did not take any action against “terrorist infrastructure” after the Pahalgam terror attack. Misri said the Resistance Front, which claimed responsibility for the attack, was connected with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Responding to the attacks,  a Pakistan government’s statement noted that India’s “temporary pleasure will be replaced by enduring grief”.

It is interesting to see the Congress blow hot, blow cold over the April 22 Pahalgam attack. First it extended unequivocal support to the government. Then when hot heads in the party from Karnataka including CM began shooting their mouths.  AICC social media manager Supriya Shrinate took the ultimate shot with her PM Modi “gayab” post that went way beyond reproach. It was seen as a crude post mocking PM Modi’s absence from all-party-meeting with a missing head that resembled a “sar tan se juda” caricature. Shrinate had not only crossed the line but was apparently reluctant to delete her post even after public outrage. Media reports say till Rahul Gandhi intervened she didn’t yield. Congress leaders were shocked that AICC leadership had to put up with such recalcitrant behaviour from influential office-bearers who seemed more interested in flexing their muscle than in protecting or furthering Congress’s or nation’s interest. Party’s media-in-charge Jairam Ramesh himself was also not doing any better. The day LoP Rahul Gandhi was interacting with the media on a sensitive issue like Pahalgam, one found Jairam was immersed in amplifying his own two-bit message to the media. “Our media strategy should be such that the attention should not be dispersed from Rahulji with a cacophony of   views,” pointed out a senior Congress leader. Meanwhile after all the talk of being fully with the government, the Congress was back to its old tricks. Emerging from a CWC meeting, two former CMs — Charanjit Singh Channi and Bhupesh Baghel — wondered why no action had been taken against Pakistan nearly two weeks post Pahalgam attack. Who is responsible for this deterioration? We want to know?

Opposition political formations’ jubilation over PM Modi’s scientific population, caste census is short-lived with the untimely AI driven process commencing 2026, concluding 2028. Bihar’s former DCM Tejaswi Yadav’s disappointment is imminent for imagining caste census would conclude before state assembly elections in 2026. The comprehensive, scientifically bolstered census digitally exploiting AI will eliminate redundant caste affiliations converted into other communities, religions. Corrective yardstick encompassing next census capturing social-economic, castes will not likely throw up existence of over 4.6 million castes, sub-castes, synonyms, different surnames and gotras in caste and clan names in India included among categories of SC, Scheduled tribes, OBC communities. 2011 census revealed many citizens had entered surnames under ‘caste’ discrimination column, was abandoned by then PM Manmohan Singh under weight of humongous data, relegated to timeless cold storage. PM Modi’s digitally initiated census process will serve as the true last value on cultural, socio-economic make-up of India. Use of AI, rejection of AADHAR, PAN cards as identity proof will ensure honest distinct process accomplishment. Even National Register of Citizens (NRC) provisions will play a pivotal role reaching true last values across India. One anomaly elimination, for a more accurate picture of existing castes in India, will delete surnames, occupation driven caste affiliations. The Andhra Pradesh High Court has also ruled Scheduled Caste citizens will lose status immediately upon converting to Christianity, forfeit protections under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in sync, albeit inadvertently. India’s purge of foreign nationals from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar (Rohingyas) also coincides with a larger census plan. Tejaswi and other backward community leaders’ vice-like grip on India’s reservation pie will phase out. The ‘M+Y’ political formula...

When the newly appointed Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran met with PM Modi he apparently gifted him a statue of jallikattu, the popular bull taming event in Tamil Nadu which the Modi Govt in 2016 had restored by first issuing an ordinance to overcome the Supreme Court ban. Nainar also presented him the famous Tirunelveli halwa and Srivilliputhur’s palgova (a traditional sweet dish). He was accompanied by his son Nainar Balaji. Modi advised Nagendran to focus on revitalising the state unit and prepare for next year’s elections. A number of Modi visits are likely through the year in the poll-bound state. Nagendran also held discussions with Home Minister Amit Shah and FM Nirmala Sitharaman. On X, Nagendran shared how PM Modi “in every word and gesture” conveyed ” his deep love for the people of Tamil Nadu, and his reverence for our ancient and glorious Tamil language”. Meanwhile, contrary to speculation the BJP nominated an old RSS leader and OBC face Pakka Venkata Satyanarayana for the lone Rajya Sabha seat from Andhra Pradesh instead of K Annamalai, former TN BJP chief. Why did Annamalai lose out? It was believed that at this juncture no point would be served by bringing him into the Rajya Sabha with a limited tenure of three years. The party would use him fully in Tamil Nadu until the state elections.

PM Narendra Modi has planned something ‘big’ against Pakistan following the J&K terror attack upon innocent Hindu tourists. Pakistan’s army Chief Asim Munir, is on India’s crosshairs, like former Pakistan armed forces Chief Qamar Bajwa was after the 2019 Pulwama terror attack claimed lives of 40 Indian CRPF jawans. Then, NSA Ajit Doval employed his wherewithal to neutralize Bajwa following the Balakot strikes and soon Bajwa was eased out of service, like his predecessor General Asfaq Kayani who took refuge in Australia after being deposed. The Balakot bombings and aerial dogfight that cost Pakistan an advanced (American) F16 fighter plane brought down in aerial combat by Captain Abhinandan from the Indian Airforce operating his antiquated MIG (Russian) fighter plane even as the Balakot air strikes were concluded by his colleagues using other fighter jets. Bajwa’s exit as army chief was precipitated and he eschewed his homeland choosing France after suffering ignominy of a four-hour wait to meet Saudi Arabia’s political leader with his begging bowl seeking a $4 billion soft loan that was also declined. Asim Munir also finds himself in an unenviable position after internal strife engulfed the neighbouring country with terror attacks by Tahereek-e-Taliban against Pakistan police, army posts alongside eruptions of unrest in Balochistan. Munir’s desperation was evident when he resorted to a public forum while dwelling upon cultural differences between Islam and Hindus only days before the Hindu-religion-discriminated terror attack was launched. Bajwa got away lightly, being ousted from power but Munir’s fate will likely be worse with his very life at stake now. The political formations in Pakistan are also rallying up against Munir, whose days are surely numbered now.

All eyes are now on the Indian armed forces, as PM Modi vowed to avenge the killings of Hindu tourists in Pahalgam. Modi’s top ministers have discussed all options. But they have left it to Modi to decide on the action. They feel Modi will go for a sustained approach and not an immediate strike– because there is no pressure of any election like in February 2019. Modi had ordered the IAF to strike at the Balakot terrorist training camp in Pakistan after many CRPF men were killed in Pulwama. This time, Modi’s plan is: the end of the game for terrorists and their perpetrators. Meanwhile, the Pakistani army has begun troop movement near the borders in Rajasthan and Kashmir and tanks and heavy weapons are being shifted from Afghan border to the Indian border. Pakistani fighter jets were seen flying along with cargo planes to transport troops and weapons to the Indian border. India has defeated Pakistan in three wars. Pakistan officials are worried that many Pakistani fighter jets are in poor condition because of a lack of spare parts. Pakistani tanks do not have enough diesel for long-distance attacks. Pakistan wants to show the world that Kashmir is no longer under India’s control, but the world is watching that nothing is under control in Pakistan — neither PoK, Balochistan nor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. If Pakistan carries out any misadventure, it must fight on four fronts. A former Pakistani army major, Adil Raja, has claimed that the killings of Hindu terrorists in Pahalgam were carried out on the directions of Army Chief Gen Asim Munir. Indian security agencies are evaluating reports that the people of Pakistan are not happy with their Army Chief, and to curb the growing voices of dissent, Gen. Munir chose the old formula to carry out a big terror attack in Kashmir to save his chair.

PM Narendra Modi who chaired the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on the back of terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were killed, took a series of steps to corner Pakistan and express India’s anger over Islamabad’s mischief in killing the innocents. Delhi began with what could hit Pakistan the hardest; it declared holding the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance with immediate effect, until the recalcitrant neighbour credibly and irrevocably abjured its support for cross-border terrorism. In another significant move, the Integrated Check Post Attari will also be closed with immediate effect. Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before May 1 2025. It was also made clear Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES). Any SVES visa issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled. Any Pakistani national currently in India under SVES visa has 48 hours to leave India. Cracking down on the Pakistani High Commission, the CCS wanted the Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi to be declared Persona Non Grata. They have a week to leave India. India will be withdrawing its own Defence/Navy/Air Advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled. Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions. The overall strength of the High Commissions will be brought down to 30 from the present 55 through further reductions to be effective from May 1. It was noted that this attack came in the wake of the successful holding of elections in the Union Territory and its steady progress towards economic growth and development.

PM Narendra Modi who flew into New Delhi early April 23 morning after curtailing his Saudi Arabia visit by a day in view of the Pahalgam terrorist strikes in J&K decided to get cracking as soon as he reached the capital. Security officials who were preparing to brief Modi on his arrival at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg were surprised, when they were asked to reach the Palam Air Force base by 6 am for the meeting at the airport itself.  He took stock of the situation along with EAM Dr S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and other top brass of security agencies. Meanwhile as the world mourned the massacre of 28 innocent tourists, Pakistan and Turkey have drawn outrage by using the tragedy to rake up the Kashmir issue. Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara thanked Turkey for its “unwavering support” on Kashmir—just hours after the terror attack. The Resistance Front, a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy, has claimed responsibility for the massacre. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) will meet once HM Shah reaches Delhi and FM Nirmala Sitharaman returns from the U.S. In a post on X, Modi said the attackers would not be spared. “Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice…they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger,” said Modi. While the CCS could possibly discuss a range of options and authorise retaliatory strikes; timing of such a step would of course be strategised by our security forces. After all, if we recall Pulwama attack that claimed lives of 40 CRPF jawans in February 2019 was retaliated with  Balakote airstrike  a good 10 days later.

PM Narendra Modi’s ‘Look South’ policy may see former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai’s induction as Union cabinet minister (Rajya Sabha) or general secretary of southern states (TN, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala) like Hemanta Biswa Sarma took charge of North Eastern states. Three-time MLA, N Narendran, elected as AIAIDMK MLA twice under Amma’s tenure, turned BJP president of TN playing a crucial role for fostering improved coalition relationship with his former party. Similarly, four to five state BJP presidents are likely to be replaced before BJP announces its national president by the end of this month. Manoharlal Khattar, Bhupinder Yadav are still front-runners for post, even as Manoj Sinha, Dharmendra Pradhan candidatures were seriously considered. Consultations with RSS next week will finalise the name of the next incumbent. An open secret in BJP that Shah effectively was backseat driving BJP’s politics even while JP Nadda held the post, adding grist to rumour mills over his candidature for presidential responsibility. His holding crucial ministries (Home and Cooperation) is the only hitch. Next incumbent will lead BJP’s election juggernaut at the 2029 general elections so appointment will require persuasion of the Hindutva brigade. Pertinent to note here, Nadda was RSS prerogative in 2014 when PM Modi imposed Shah as national president. Shah’s heightened activity of addressing Parliament, visits to Maharashtra, Kashmir and West Bengal on a single day exposed the fact that he runs BJP’s national politics as de facto president. The May-June cabinet reshuffle may see BJP leaders from Bihar elevated with an eye on the forthcoming state assembly elections.

 “We are Hindus, not Hindi,” thunders Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) supremo Raj Thackeray. Reason: the government’s decision to make Hindi compulsory along with Marathi from the first standard in English medium schools. Though the move has started evoking protesting murmurs, major political parties have adopted a cautious stand till now. Just a few days after supporting chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Prime Minister Narendra Modi wholeheartedly, the MNS leader has surprised his followers once more by opposing teaching Hindi in primary schools. Only a few weeks earlier, Raj had asked his workers to deal with those bank employees unable to speak Marathi. The stir was withdrawn after incidents of MNS workers assaulting bank staff over the issue of Marathi started spiralling. Although Raj has now declared his opposition to introducing Hindi, his wavering policy will make those with him wary. Expressing his opposition, he has warned the ruling alliance that MNS will stand by Hindutva but not imposition of  Hindi. BJP leader and minister Ashish Shelar has advised Raj to first understand the government policy details in this regard. Raj will be sent a copy of the National Education Policy, which he should study before making any statements against it, Shelar has said. Interestingly, Raj and Shelar are old friends. Even when the ties between the BJP and MNS were strained, Shelar was the conduit to keep the dialogue open between the two sides. Hence, how Raj proceeds with his opposition will be watched by the BJP.

With Home Minister Amit Shah in Chennai sort of overseeing transition in Tamil Nadu BJP from K Annamalai to Nainar Nagendran ahead of state assembly polls next year and ensuring sealing of the AIADMK-BJP alliance, there were ripples in the DMK over sexist and anti-Hindu utterances of a senior party functionary and forest minister K Ponmudy. A video clip of his derogatory remarks made on April 6 had gone viral. While senior leader and Udhayanidhi loyalist, Duraimurugan refused to sign a letter sacking Ponmudy from party post, it was left to TN chief minister MK Stalin to sign the order stripping Ponmudy of party post. DMK Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Shiva replaced Ponmudy.  It is being said Stalin was advised to take action against Ponmudy by his religious minded wife Durga as his anti-Hindu remarks were found very offensive. Interestingly, the person who first flagged the protest against sexist remarks of Ponmudy in the family was Stalin’s sister and DMK MP Kanimozhi. In a X post, Kanimozhi hit out at Ponmudi and said his remarks were unacceptable. Meanwhile Duraimurugan issued an apology for calling “Divyangs” as handicapped and speaking irresponsibly. However, what these random changes in the DMK indicate is that discontent against Udhayanidhi and the other influential relative (Stalin’s son-In-law  is bound to grow in the run-up to assembly elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah are looking South now to replicate their winning ‘Look East’ political gambit from North East India.  BJP leader K Annamalai, their go to man for the job, may be appointed Chief of four southern states including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana just like Assam CM Hemanta Biswa was entrusted seven sisters (states) comprising the NE region of India. Annamalai, while securing 4 lakh votes lost Coimbatore’s Lok Sabha seat in 2024, tendered resignation as BJP Tamil Nadu president after Shah’s TN visit stitched up political alliance encompassing AIADMK factions, rival Shashikala grouping (including former CM J Jayalalitaa’s adopted, then disowned son VN Sudhakaran). Amma’s medically unfit companion Shashikala endorsed nephew Sudhakaran as her party’s face even as BJP broadens its voter base by emphasizing politically influential ‘Thevar’ community. BJP went with Annamalai’s political ‘going solo’ advisory to register 11% of TN’s voter preference while DMK secured 40% to storm the state assembly. BJP now seeks to leverage its voter base alongside the 20% voter preference for AIADMK factions and Shashikala’s ‘Thevar’ community that had elevated late GK Moopanar in TN’s Congress ruled dispensation of the 90s. Superstar Vijay’s new political party TVK will eat into DMK’s vote-bank helping BJP. Senior BJP leader Mahendra Jain says, “Annamalai’s political elevation, like Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s, is a given although he may personally be unaware of the dynamic political development within the party just like ‘Mamaji’ was, till appointment to head all development projects by PM Modi for India. Annamalai’s name also figures now in the list of potential National BJP Presidential candidates.”

With the AIADMK under Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) continuing to play truant, the BJP seems to be already working on its alternative options. Yes, with EPS continuing to be elusive about a tie-up with the BJP, post his meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah, the TN BJP seems to be working full time to explore tie-ups. Possibilities of a tie-up between the BJP and Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) opened up when NTK chief Seeman and BJP state president K Annamalai shared the stage at SRM University on April 7. What set off the buzz of a tie -up was that Seeman praised PM Modi. Who is Seeman? Senthamizhan Seeman is an actor and former filmmaker. NTK has always managed to win at least 8-9% votes in the last few polls. Even as he regards slain LTTE chief V Pirabhakaran as his mentor, Seeman has been making scathing attacks on Periyar, the icon of the Dravidian movement, questioning his love for Tamil people and culture. The DMK government has registered cases against him but has never dared to put him behind the bars. He has also severely criticised TN chief minister M K Stalin, his son and deputy CM Udayanidhi Stalin. Seeman is a strong advocate of Tamil nationalism. Speaking to the students, Seeman lauded Modi for his efforts to showcase Tamil’s antiquity globally. Echoing the PM, Seeman also emphasized the importance of the mother tongue. At Rameshwaram, Modi had chided the DMK ministers for not even signing in Tamil in their letters to the Centre.  Annamalai, during his speech, called Seeman a “commander on the battlefield,” recognizing his strong stand on Tamil identity. Annamalai observed: “I see Tamil in nationalism. Seeman sees nationalism in Tamil.” The buzz is that Seeman may meet Modi soon, possibly at a location outside TN.

In Odisha, ever since the BJP turfed out Naveen Patnaik’s well entrenched Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in both the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in 2024, the relationship between him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become frosty. Since then the former CM has been opposing the Modi government tooth and nail on various issues at both the Centre and State. The latest one is Waqf Bill. In the Rajya Sabha it supported it. This brought to fore the internal dissensions within the party or whether Patnaik had a change of heart towards BJP. Reportedly, BJD’s floor leader in Rajya Sabha Sasmit Patra, a Christian, along with four BJD members voted in favour of Waqf Bill while BJD’s two Muslim MP’s Muzibulla Khan, and Munna Khan opposed the Bill in Rajya Sabha. Senior party leaders are saying that BJD has traditionally led an equidistant policy. BJD leaders are now demanding immediate probe as to who took this decision to vote for Waqf Bill and if this had Naveen Patnaik’s formal approval. Patra had tweeted that there would be no party whip and members should vote “exercising their conscience”. BJD leader Badri Prasad is wondering if someone else has played a game, clearly hinting if Patra has taken this decision on his own or at the behest of Patnaik’s right hand VK Pandian. BJD MP Debashish Samantaray who abstained from voting has launched scathing attack on Pandian as the main person playing behind the scene role. He said Patra was simply following Pandian’s orders.

On the auspicious Ram Navami day on April 6, at around 12 noon, PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new Pamban Rail Bridge — India’s first vertical lift sea bridge and flag off a train and a ship from the road bridge and witness the operation of the bridge. Thereafter he will perform darshan and pooja at Ramanathaswamy temple at Rameswaram. At around 1:30 PM in Rameswaram, he will lay the foundation stone and dedicate to the nation various rail and road projects worth over Rs 8,300 crore in Tamil Nadu. AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) had wanted to meet with Modi in Rameswaram.  In contrast, TN BJP chief K Annamalai has been called to Delhi early next week for another round of discussions with Home Minister Amit Shah to sort out BJP-AIADMK alliance issues and also matters relating to picking up the next state chief. The Pamban Rail Bridge with its reference to Ram Setu in Ramayana carries a deep cultural significance. According to the Ramayana, the construction of Ram Setu was initiated from Dhanushkodi near Rameswaram. The bridge, linking Rameswaram to the mainland, stands as a remarkable feat of Indian engineering on the global stage. It was built at a cost of over Rs 550 crore. It is 2.08 km in length, features 99 spans and a 72.5-metre vertical lift span that rises up to a height of 17 metres, facilitating smooth movement of ships while ensuring seamless train operations. Constructed with stainless steel reinforcement, high-grade protective paint, and fully welded joints, the bridge boasts increased durability and reduced maintenance needs. It is designed for dual rail tracks to accommodate future demands.

A day after the Rajya Sabha discussed The Mussalman Waqf (Repeal) Bill, 2025, past midnight and then passed it with 128 votes in its favour, PM Modi called it a “watershed moment”.  Attending the BIMSTEC meeting in Bangkok, PM Modi had good reason to be satisfied. The only worrying factor was its passage had disappointed Opposition parties as Union Minister Kiren Rijiju pointed out they were out trying to mislead people on the Bill. Details of late night Parliament debate on the Bill were lost as senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, a Rajya Sabha member, even sought to inject an element of outrage as she said that the bill was “bulldozed” in the Lok Sabha. Never mind that the House sat till 2.43 am to pass the Waqf Amendment Bill. BJP leaders found it odd that Sonia was taking the initiative to speak on Waqf, pushing aside her son and LoP Rahul Gandhi to speak on Lok Sabha proceedings? Why was she doing it? Is it because no one in the Opposition cares for Rahul Gandhi? Or is it because the Congress wants to unite Opposition leaders on Waqf — something which Rahul and Mallikarjun Kharge can’t do on their own steam. In her remarks, Sonia said “The bill was in effect, bulldozed through. The Bill is a brazen assault on the Constitution itself. It is very much part of the BJP’s deliberate strategy to keep our society in a state of permanent polarization.” Her remarks drew sharp response from BJP MPs who wanted “Sonia Gandhi maafi maango“. Sonia’s remarks drew a sharp rap from the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla who said that her remarks were “unfortunate” and undermined Parliamentary democracy. After all, the Bill went through Parliament procedures lasting 13-hour discussion, in which 61 members participated. In the Rajya Sabha too, 128 votes were cast in favour of the Waqf Amendment Bill.

On the penultimate day of the Budget Session, the MPs belonging to the DMK were spotted in the Parliament wearing black shirts. It was not clear what they were protesting about. One of their MPs — P Wilson — who is on the panel to preside over Rajya Sabha could be seen sporting a black shirt and presiding over the House. In the past few weeks the DMK MPs have been protesting Centre’s approach to the state, particularly over New Education Policy and denial of funds to it. schools.  In the state assembly chief minister MK Stalin sported a black badge and even got a resolution moved against the Waqf Bill that was passed by the Lok Sabha. This must be added to the state’s tally of assembly resolutions denouncing the Centre’s moves. First one was on the NEET. Meanwhile, it is learnt Sivaganga Congress MP Karti P Chidambaram managed to get a quiet word with PM Modi last week over the menace of stray dogs. He pointed out how India was home to one of the largest stray dog populations — 6.2 crore – globally. The meeting with Modi must have boosted Karti’s stock among TN leaders and also surprised Rahul Gandhi who has always cold shouldered him. In a post on X, Karti explained how India was endemic for rabies, responsible for 36% of the world’s rabies-related deaths. “I raised concerns about the inadequacy of the current system, where local bodies lack the resources, funding, and technology to tackle this issue effectively. It’s clear that urgent action is required. I suggested establishing a National Task Force to provide a holistic, humane, and scientific solution while working closely with local bodies.”

Contrary to expectations there weren’t fireworks in the Lok Sabha when the government took up Waqf Bill (Amendment) for passage. It even saw some lighter moments between Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the selection of the next BJP president. Speaking in the House, Akhilesh Yadav mocked the “biggest political party” for its inability to elect its own president.” To which Shah quipped that the process in the BJP was unlike other parties, where presidents were selected from few family members.” Akhileshji made his remark with a smile, so I will respond in the same manner. The parties sitting across from us in this House all have national presidents who are selected from just five family members. But in our party, we have to conduct a process involving 12-13 crore members, so naturally, it takes time,” said Shah. “In your case, it will not take much time. I am saying that you will remain president for 25 years,” Shah said in jest. The process to elect the next BJP president has been pending for 10 months after incumbent JP Nadda was inducted into the Narendra Modi Cabinet following the BJP’s win in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Yadav also took a veiled dig at PM Modi over his visit to the RSS headquarters on March 30, saying the “yatra” (pilgrimage) was to save his chair. While the banter showed that the Opposition had no real issue against the bill, Yadav claimed that the Waqf Bill would hurt India’s secular image in the world and that it was being brought as part of the BJP’s “divisive agenda”.

Indo-US political compatibility will witness preferential tariff rates worked out for India by the latter with clear bias against China. Well-placed sources explained, “China faces a 60% tariff rate imposed on exports by the U.S. President Donald Trump. Disparity will be evident when similar exports from India will face sub-40% tariff rates. Prime Minister Narendra Modi bargained hard, on pain of cutting off exports to the USA, taking Indian goods to the European Union instead.” This worked tremendously in favour of Indian exporters who won’t face sudden spikes in duty rates levied. President Trump is now eager instead, to up bilateral trade between our two nations to scale up to $500 bn by 2030. Sector specific negotiations are currently underway even as nations like Canada, China and the European Union experience trepidation over Trump’s tariff war against them. The U.S. conceded to India’s demand for technology transfer under long pending agreements for fifth and sixth generation fighter planes. Sharp negotiations progressing with Russia and France encompassing a wider arena of joint collaborations including marine drone technology, space missions helped tremendously. The proposed visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India will focus upon enhanced business in the wake of sanctions against Russian crude on the verge of being lifted. Strong winds are also blowing to foster cultural relations between India and Russia as a new coalition of global players is being disrupted to include the USA, France, Italy and Israel for a new world order. Ukraine and Hamas (in Gaza) stand relegated to minion status on the world stage in the meanwhile. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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’. 

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ahead of PM Narendra Modi’s meeting with the U.S. President Donald Trump next week, both the Houses of Parliament erupted in protest over the manner in which 104 illegal Indian immigrants from the U.S. landed in Amritsar in a U.S. military aircraft– shackled and restrained. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar sought to downplay the issue and said that such expulsions were routine. “It has been there for years. Hundreds of Indians have been deported annually, with figures ranging from 530 in 2012 to over 2,042 in 2019,” Jaishankar informed the Rajya Sabha.  He pointed out that handcuffs were used on deportees since 2012. Asserting that it was “the obligation of all countries to take back their nationals if they are found to be living illegally abroad”, he said efforts were being made to talk to deportees to track agents who sent them. The Opposition felt the government must stand up to the Trump Administration just as Columbia had done. “Why can we not fly back our citizens just as Columbia had done?” asked CPI(M) MP John Brittas. Colombia balked at the U.S. military flights and sent its own Air Force jet to pick up 110 deported Colombians. U.S. deportation flights are not new but the use of military flights is new, with the agency previously using commercial and chartered flights to deport people. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said while the U.S. may have a legal right to deport people who are illegally in their country, “but the manner in which it was done, in handcuffs, squeezed into a military aircraft, in such an abrupt manner, is not acceptable.” He pointed out how under the Biden administration last year, 1100 Indians were deported but there was no such humiliation.

In his reply to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address in the Lok Sabha, PM Narendra Modi was at his aggressive best as he savaged LoP Rahul Gandhi. From mocking the Congress leader and two members of his family for becoming MPs — mother Sonia and sister Priyanka — at the same time to turning “certain spaces into personal museums”. He was referring to the manner in which the Gandhi family maintains control over Indira Gandhi Memorial and had refused to share documents pertaining to the Rajiv Gandhi era with the Prime Ministers’ Museum. The PM said we have established the Prime Ministers’ Museum, where the legacy of every Prime Minister—from the first to my predecessors—has been honoured. “I urge their family members to visit it.” Taking a swipe at the three Gandhis who are all MPs, Modi said, “I pose an important question to the citizens through this House — have there even been three MPs simultaneously from the same family of SC community? I also ask, tell me if there ever were three MPs simultaneously from the same family belonging to the ST community…” There is a vast difference between their words and actions. However, the harshest jab was when Modi felt leaders have compulsions to raise questions on foreign policy to be taken seriously — he was referring to questions raised by both Rahul and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on tensions with China. He asked them to read Bruce Riedel’s book JFK’s Forgotten Crisis— as it details discussions between India’s Nehru and the U.S. President John F Kennedy, revealing how foreign policy was handled during challenging times and the games played in its name. Congress leaders are apparently not amused by this suggestion.

Congress bossman Rahul Gandhi told Parliament that External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar’s USA visit only sought an invite for PM Narendra Modi for the U.S. President Donald Trump’s oath ceremony. Jaishankar refuted RaGa’s averments, without revealing the true purpose after having accomplished never before witnessed outcomes. Highly placed sources reveal, “India’s MEA secured distinction of only nation’s representative holding bilateral discussions with the newly installed U.S. government both, before and after, official transition of power.” Dr Jaishankar didn’t elucidate beyond dismissing Gandhi’s tall tales to the Lok Sabha, but actually established grounds for PM Modi to ink U.S. deal for technology transfer regarding fifth/sixth generation fighter engines deliberately kept in abeyance over two years by erstwhile Biden administration. India will be on par though F35 fighter was doled out to Pakistan and, even poised to counter Chinese aviation capabilities with next generation fighters. Dr Jaishankar also held discussions with newly installed FBI director Kash Patel, National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard over sensitive issues regarding Indian nationals targeted by earlier dispensation. Another positive outcome: Funding cut off for Gurpatwant Singh Panun, separatist pro-Khalistani rebel, creating aviation scares in India through threats of blowing up Indian commercial airliners. More covert results were achieved to become apparent sooner than later even as Rahul Gandhi termed Dr Jaishankar’s international statesmanship as mere kow-towing to U.S. hegemony.

An estimated 30% of the IAS administered Indian bureaucracy actively considers the VRS option. According to well-placed sources, “Last three years registered a spurt in the number of pending applications to exercise the VRS option, most officers still having over five years of service left. The handsome pension amount appears lucrative to many, including those put on notice by the Union government (and respective state governments like Maharashtra) for low productivity, efficiency and delinquent public service.” Majority of the pending applications seek the cushy handshake option, while those who fell foul of GOI evaluation parameters were told to consider exit plans sooner than resignation options later. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 1.0 and 2.0 tenures (between 2014 and 2024) had witnessed not only weeding out of senior officials through shortening of tenures under government service but also witnessed the lateral entry of professionals and industry domain specialists into government service. Similarly, several officials continue to perform government service notwithstanding their respective retirement from service due to their diligent and outstanding performance till retirement to include Pravin Pardeshi (CEO of MITRA). Others like former Chief Secretary of Maharashtra Dr Nitin Kareer are also expected to be tapped for active post-retirement service to the nation, sources reveal. As pen-pushing, non-productive Babus opt for early retirement the Maharashtra IAS fraternity anticipates similar cleansing of Maharashtra’s state secretariat that may be on the cards once again.

The government charged LoP Rahul Gandhi of trying to falsely portray in the Lok Sabha that External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar’s visit to Washington in December 2024 was an effort to wangle an invite for the U.S. President Donald Trump’s swearing-in ceremony. In a strongly worded contradiction, Dr Jaishankar charged the LoP of deliberately spreading falsehood about his visit to the U.S. “Rahul ‘s lies may be intended politically but they damage the nation abroad”.  The swift rebuttal comes amidst reports that PM Modi is scheduled to visit the U.S. for a meeting with his friend President Trump later this month. In a post on X, Dr Jaishankar said “I went to meet the Secretary of State and NSA of the Biden Administration. Also to chair a gathering of our Consuls General. During my stay, the incoming NSA-designate met with me. At no stage was an invitation in respect of the PM Modi discussed. It is common knowledge that our PM does not attend such events. In fact, India is generally represented by Special Envoys.” Mocking the Central government, Rahul had claimed that if it had taken economic policies seriously, then the government would not have had to seek an invite and “the U.S. The President would come here and invite the PM”. While Union Minister Kiren Rijiju had strongly objected to the LoP for making such unsubstantiated statements about the relationship between two countries, Rahul had merely apologised for ” disturbing your peace of mind.”  Return of President Trump to the White House is being viewed as a setback to  Rahul Gandhi and his  patron George Soros.

Both PM Modi and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Aditynath are in a deep state of shock after the stampede at the Maha Kumbha mela at Prayagraj on January 29. Despite the best arrangements, things came under stress because of an influx of more than 5 crore pilgrims. The number of pilgrims who came to Maha Kumbh crossed 18 crore in the last 16 days. Imagine the population right now in Prayagraj compared to the populations of some of the world’s most populated cities like Tokyo, Delhi and Shanghai. Since it was Mauni Amavasya on that day, pilgrims started marching towards the Sangam point in large numbers after midnight, and the barriers broke down. The crowd became unmanageable for the overworked police force. PMO has found out that entire families consisting of four generations had come to Prayagraj to take the holy dip. From the states people from a whole village or a locality had come. There are three main reasons behind this huge influx. One, the level of devotion and enthusiasm among the pilgrims; Two, videos and images on TV and social media of people coming to Maha Kumbh for the last two weeks, acted as a big influencing factor. Three, since the Maha Kumbh was taking place after a gap of 144 years, most of the devotees felt that they might not get another chance in their lifetime. Several buses, trains and vehicles had to be stopped away from Prayagraj town. Lakhs of people had to walk several kilometres to reach the bathing ghats. PMO feels that authorities should curb the number of VIP vehicles entering the Kumbh Mela area for a few days to tame public wrath.

The attempt to push the ruling into a corner by the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi and the saffron alliance’s retaliation is now dominating Maharashtra politics. The Modi government at the Centre has caught the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray in a cleft stick by conferring the prestigious Padma Bhushan title on the late Manohar Joshi, who was a Lok Sabha speaker and the state chief minister. Although Joshi occupied such high posts, he was constantly humiliated by the supporters of Uddhav during his twilight years. The NDA government has thus created a quaint situation for Uddhav since he can’t either welcome the decision to decorate Joshi nor oppose it. Taking advantage of the situation, the Sena and the Congress have started a discussion of having a third deputy chief minister in Maharashtra. Although there is no basis for such a possibility since the state already has two deputy CMs, it is becoming embarrassing for the Mahayuti to discount the rumours since it could mean an indirect reflection on two of its leaders, Girish Mahajan of the BJP and Uday Samant of the Sena led by deputy CM Eknath Shinde. but it is generally felt that this is only an attempt to spread disinformation. The political game has gained significance as Sena MP Sanjay Raut has emphatically claimed that Samant has 20 party MLAs behind him. On the other hand, Samant has reiterated his total commitment to Shinde’s leadership. The Opposition has been planning to spread such confusing information to further deepen discontent in the Mahayuti quarters, it is felt.

The world’s oldest public transport service provider, Mumbai’s BEST undertaking’s plan to ramp up its comfortable air- conditioned travel option for last denominator citizens has ended in abject failure. The target 10,000 zero pollution EV buses by 2024 for Mumbai city, that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to transform into the international Fin-tech capital has not materialized. BJP’s Maharashtra executive committee member Mahendra Jain has written to the PMO and Maha CMO seeking a high-level enquiry into reasons for the failure seeking full accountability over holding Mumbai city’s progress to ransom. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis shunted out BEST GM Anil Diggikar in December 2024 itself, appointed Harshvardhan Kamble as the next IAS incumbent. Kamble was shunted out too and the BEST is headless. PM Modi provided Rs 450 crore, lying unutilized in BEST’s bank account, under the National Clean Air Programme. BEST admits to having only 3100 EV buses as of January 2025, devastating the PM’s dream. Global tenders floated by BEST in 2021 and Olectra group, a part of Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL) quoted the lowest L1 value @ 49 per km for supplying 2100 EV buses within a maximum of 18 months-time while Ashok Leyland’s Switch Mobility quoted the L1 value for supplying 200 double decker EV buses.  After tenders were opened, litigation held up the process till November 2022, finally settled by Bombay High Court. But what happened thereafter? Till January 2025 MEIL only provided wet lease services of 275 single decker buses out of 2100 promised while Swift Mobility provided less than 60 of 200 double decker EVs till date.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath’s biggest political test started this week. Over 40 crore people are expected to gather in the city of Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela and take a holy dip at the confluence of three sacred rivers — the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the mythical, invisible Saraswati. A sacred event for Hindus, the Maha Kumbh started from January 13 and will end on February 26. During the six weeks pilgrims will take part in elaborate rituals, prayers and religious processions. Yogi has personally supervised all arrangements to ensure that his management of the Kumbh will be remembered for a long time.  A sprawling 4,000 hectares of open land along the river banks has been converted into a temporary city to house visitors in 150,000 tents, equipped with 3,000 kitchens, 145,000 toilets and 99 parking lots.  PM Modi has given such importance to the Kumbh, that he even took the unprecedented step of effecting a bureaucratic reshuffle in the Finance Ministry in midst of budget making. A day after the Tirupati stampede, revenue secretary Arunish Chawla was moved out and replaced by Tuhin Kanta Pandey. As culture secretary, Chawla was in charge of Maha Kumbh and Republic Day. The Centre is  spending Rs 5,000 crore for the Kumbh and expecting  to generate revenue of Rs  2 lakh crore for UP. The Centre is taking all kinds of precautions as it does not wish for any repetition of the 1954 Kumbh stampede at Prayagraj, in which 800 people died. It happened under Nehru’s watch and Modi had referred to it in one of his speeches. People may credit Yogi if everything goes well. Yogi was praised last time for the arrangements made for Ram temple inauguration in Ayodhya in January 2024.

Not surprisingly, the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas organised in Bhubaneswar, Odisha between January 9 and 11 did not get that kind of national media coverage across the country as it normally does. Going by the local media, the event organised for the first time in Odisha and inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems to be badly executed with too many obvious misses. To start with, the name and picture of Mahatma Gandhi was conspicuous by its absence. It may be mentioned that the event was organised from 2003 on January 9 was to commemorate the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa. Organised at the cost of Rs 125 crore the turnout was poor and reportedly there were hundreds of empty chairs. Different people threw different numbers on NRI turnouts; Odisha chief secretary said 3,000 NRI’s attended, while BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi said there were 5,000 delegates, a TV channel said 7,000. Other misses were the State song Bande Utkal Janani not being played at the event and local Odia cuisines not served. Net, net the event reflected poor organising skill of the Majhi government. But, the chief minister on his part was happy as his State has received Rs 2.5 lakh crore investment commitment by the Indian diaspora.

PM Modi seems to have opted for a new mode of public outreach in the New Year. Instead of going for traditional TV interviews; he recorded his first podcast, which was released on January 10. The highlight of the podcast hosted by Bengaluru-based Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath was that it brought out vulnerabilities of Modi first hand. For the first time, Modi acknowledged that his public office — whether as CM or PM — have insulated him from informal interactions; he acknowledged that he has no close friend who would interact with him informally. He cited the experience of hosting his school friends when he became CM — all of them treated him in awe.  Modi also used the podcast to correct a fallacy made in the 2024 campaign — he tried to clarify his claim that he had been chosen by God. Modi asserted that he can make mistakes too. “I am human, not a God.” An interesting aspect of the podcast was Modi’s statesman-like appeal to youth to join politics, urging them to come with a mission, not ambition. He made it clear his call to youth to join politics should not be seen as an appeal to join the BJP alone but to strengthen and energise all political parties. When asked if he had any specific advice to youth, Modi felt that Gen X was equipped to find its own answers. While Modi acknowledges that “it is his first podcast” he asks Nikhil about how many such podcasts he has hosted before. When the Zerodha founder says 25 podcasts have been mainly with entrepreneurs, one finds PM Modi even wondering how “it’ll go with your audience.” With Modi going for a podcast, more political players are likely to hit this mode.

Top Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar has extended good wishes to Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis by obliquely suggesting him “to succeed Prime Minister Narendra Modi.” He, moreover, said Fadnavis has the ability, performance and courage. The veiled feeler has come at a moment when the Congress party in the state is almost leaderless. Wadettiwar is a former disciple of the then Shiv Sena’s and later BJP’s leader Narayan Rane. He followed Rane in the Congress party from the Sena and stayed on even after his mentor had followed the BJP. Wadettiwar is known for his antagonism towards state Congress president Nana Patole, a former BJP MP. Wadettiwar’s proposition was expressed at an anniversary function to remember the state’s second CM Marotrao Kannamwar at his birthplace, Chandrapur. In his acerbic speech, Wadettiwar did not feel shy of attacking Patole and Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut for the drubbing the Maha Vikas Aghadi suffered in the assembly election. Wadettiwar expressed suspicion that MVA was deliberately kept unprepared for the hustings and blamed Patole and Raut for the delay and the defeat. Fadnavis did not react to Wadettiwar’s encomium while lauding the contribution of Kannamwar. The absence of former finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar from the function in his hometown and Wadettiwar’s frank praise for Fadanvis are seen as suggestive of the shape of the things to come since the two leaders have been political competitors for a long time.

At a recent meeting with his Union Cabinet ministers, PM Narendra Modi advised them to focus on the work of their ministries and also restrict their public comments to speaking only about their ministerial work. Many viewed Modi’s counsel as the beginning of an assessment of performance of ministers ahead of an impending cabinet reshuffle. It was seen as a signal that non-performing ministers would be dropped even as Modi 3.0 hasn’t completed a year. The moot point is when will the reshuffle take place? Will it be after the Delhi Assembly polls are held in February? Or soon after the Union Budget is presented on February 1? Since the immediate focus for the Centre will be Mahakumbh mid-January, one may well say PM Modi will choose his time. With too many parties trying to join the BJP’s bandwagon in Maharashrashtra – NCP (SP) leaders and Shiv Sena (UBT) praising CM Devendra Fadnavis — there may be pressure to induct new faces at the Centre. Which means it will not be just old allies Shiv Sena ( Eknath Shinde) and the NCP; NCP leader Praful Patel who spurned the initial MoS offer is certain to be included. The turnaround by veteran leader Sharad Pawar who met Modi along with pomegranate farmers could pave the way for a suitable role for daughter Supriya Sule. There is a buzz that there could be a reshuffle in the PMO too. Both NSA Ajit Doval and Dr PK Misra, principal secretary to the PM, could be hanging their boots. A 1968 Kerala cadre IPS officer Doval has had a very long and distinguished innings and retired in 2005. Misra, a Gujarat cadre IAS officer has worked closely with Modi and retired in 2013.