Operation 272 MPs was launched with the flight of Opposition MPs scheduled for a BJP landing with ETA in April 2025. Sources say the earlier target 260 BJP MPs (reported by Short Post) from current strength of 241 in the Lok Sabha was rescheduled to higher benchmark following hectic parleys with aspiring Opposition MPs, particularly in Maharashtra, keenly looking for greener pastures. This has seriously dented merger plans of Maratha strongman Sharad Pawar with nephew, Ajit Pawar’s NCP. Uncle Pawar deployed womenfolk in the family to convince Ajit Pawar for a merger while making an overture to PM Modi using his reconciliatory gambit. BJP is rather keen over 2/3 of nine UBT Sena MPs, eight from SP camp jumping ship to join its party without attracting anti-defection laws besides regional party MPs from other states to reach the majority magic figure on its own. Ajit Pawar, who succumbed to emotional blackmail by the womenfolk in December 2019 and broke alliance with BJP bringing down the 76-hour long government back then, is unlikely to do a repeat. Ajit Pawar has also nixed senior party MLA Chhagan Bhujbal’s ministerial aspirations over his extra-party OBC activities. Bhujbal’s gambit to use the good offices of CM Devendra Fadnavis also came to naught with the Maha Chanakya CM politely asking him to sort out his problems with Ajit Pawar himself. The so-called NaNi (Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar) factor was always a non-starter sans JD(S) Union Ministers quitting their posts in an election year leaving RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav red-faced and worried about own political future in Bihar just like Sharad Pawar in Maharashtra.  

Even though PM Modi has clearly spelt out that Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi will be in the CM’s chair for the next five years, yet rumour mills continue to be buzzing. And the reason for it is the undercurrent within the BJP unit in Odisha. Sources say Majhi has not kept up with BJP’s poll promises of punishing the law breakers and putting them behind bars. Also, he is yet to fill up ministerial vacancies. As a result, minor dissension is brewing with most BJP ministers/elected leaders tilting towards the Union minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan as they owe their political growth to him and not Mohan Charan Majhi. Pradhan was short-listed for CM’s post before Modi picked on Majhi. It is said that Majhi’s political support within rank and file is dwindling with 50% of leaders rooting for Dharmendra Pradhan, 25% are in the neutral zone and only 25% are in Majhi’s camp. Party sources say Pradhan’s heart is in his homeland, and he is keen to be Odisha CM someday. That said, there are no immediate crises as such for Majhi. But, the moot point is how long can Majhi carry on without support of local leaders.

It is being said if the BJP is being seen as having an edge in the Delhi Assembly elections and has consolidated Sikh votes in the state in its favour, it is all because of the manner in which the Modi government had handled the aftermath of demise of former PM Dr Manmohan Singh. Particularly, the swift manner in which PM Modi had promptly visited 3 Moti Lal Nehru Marg residence to commiserate with Dr Singh’s family. Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda also visited the family. In contrast, what came as a shock to  Congress CMs — Telangana , Himachal and Karnataka — who had rushed to Delhi were specifically instructed not to visit Dr Singh’s family or interact with them. It was as if the Gandhis did not want the Singh family to develop any contact with the CMs. It is also being speculated that the Gandhis did not want the Centre or Singh’s family to take help of the CMs in building Dr Singh’s memorial. “We want Sikh votes in Dr Singh’s name. But instead of mobilising our support and showing it, we were sitting criticising PM Modi. It has not gone down well with Sikhs-not just in Delhi but all over India. Congress has cut a sorry picture for raking up an outright bogus issue like why only DD was allowed to cover the funeral. This is when PM Modi is being seen as doing so much for our leader. Our CMs should have been involved,” said a Cong leader. Party sources said Telangana CM Revanth Reddy was particularly disappointed with the shabby manner the Congress high command was treating him. Apparently all decisions of the state government are being whetted by KC Venugopal, who as Rahul Gandhi’s close aide and AICC Gen Secy (organisation) has made Reddy’s life quite miserable. Meanwhile, a prayer meeting is being held for Dr Singh at Gurudwara Rakabganj on Dec 3.

Make in India, as a concept, cannot be simply wished away in a country with a population of over 140 crore. Not surprisingly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the push and leaving no stone unturned in convincing overseas companies to make in India to address the domestic needs and also satiate the global demand. This, no doubt, requires a holistic approach. But this one move appears to be a self-defeating exercise. Or how else could one describe this? Well, an exercise is believed to be quietly under way to issue BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) certificates to overseas manufacturing facilities of multinationals which intend to sell their branded iconic products in India. Clearly, it is an oxymoron exercise. On the one hand, there is a high-level intention to entice people to set up shops in India. On the other hand, there is a liberal approach to issuing BIS certificates for overseas facilities of companies which intend to make their iconic brands in India. If they could get a BIS certificate for their overseas plants, why would they think of setting up shops in India either on their own or through collaborations? Even as the owners of big brands are pushing hard to get a BIS tag for their facilities abroad, the Indian industries such as footwear and others are feeling somewhat fidgety. Well, the government machinery appears to be working at a cross-purpose. 

Maharashtra’s deputy CM Eknath Shinde may be officially sulking but he sure knows how to get his way around with the BJP’s top bosses. After having bagged nine plum cabinet berths and two ministers of state apart from key portfolios like Urban Development, housing and public works department for himself, he has now clearly emerged as the No 2 in the Maharashtra government next only to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. It is worth noting that while senior ministers like Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, Girish Mahajan are left dangling with half split portfolios with them, Shinde has managed to bag important ministries like industries, public health, education etc for his supporters. Shinde also continues to retain his value for the BJP. This was evident recently when he met up with the top trio of the BJP during his Delhi stopover en route to Kashmir for a family holiday. Prime minister Narendra Modi is believed to have granted him an audience for over an hour where the duo are believed to have discussed the significant Mumbai municipal corporation polls. The one-to-one meet with PM Modi clearly highlights that Shinde continues to be a significant partner for the BJP and is expected to play a key role in cutting down the Marathi electorate stronghold of Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai. He is also expected to play a key role in the significant Dharavi Redevelopment Project, thanks to his holding the dual portfolios of housing and urban development, that could come in handy for industrialist Gautam Adani, known for his proximity to Modi.

It is truly a tale of two funerals and gross mishandling by the Congress that denied such an honour to a former PM. While former PM Dr Manmohan Singh is all set get a state funeral befitting his stature in Delhi thanks due to PM Modi, his mentor, former PM PV Narasimha Rao was denied a funeral in the national capital thanks due to gross mishandling by the Congress party and inability of Dr Singh as PM to ensure the same when he died in December 2004. Rao was hailed by Dr Singh as “father of economic reforms in India” but a state funeral was not considered fit for him by Cong leader Sonia Gandhi; she did not even allow his body into party headquarters. In his book Sanjaya Baru  The Accidental Prime Minister wrote “Ahmed Patel wanted me to encourage Rao’s son Ranga and Prabhakhar and his daughter Vani to take their father’s body to Hyderabad for cremation. Clearly, it seemed to me Sonia did not want a memorial for Rao, anywhere near Delhi but felt it would not be appropriate for me to convey to the family.”  He says “The Congress had deployed then Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Andhra CM YS Rajashekhar Reddy to “persuade the family to fall in line”. With PM Modi swiftly organising a week-long national mourning and state funeral for Dr Singh, who passed away on Dec 26, the Congress simply had to catch up with the speed of government action. The Congress which was celebrating 100 years of Mahatma Gandhi presiding over the AICC session at Belgavi in Karnataka cut short its celebrations. Dr Singh’s last rites would be held on December 28 as his youngest daughter, a professor at Stanford Law School, is likely to land in India by December 27.

BJP’s top brass ignored RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s latest broadside seeking to curtail the rising momentum to reclaim, reinstall old temple sites to their pristine glory. A politically savvy RSS man says, “There is little likelihood of response or retort from either PM Modi or Shah to Bhagwat’s vocalisation for limiting the number of devastated temples in India needing reinstallation.” Legal remedies are increasingly the resort of Hindus thanks to the mountain of evidence unearthed by the Archaeology Survey of India (ASI). Modi-Shah will plough ahead with their rejuvenation plans for Hindutva ignoring Bhagwat even as their political favourites: UP CM Yogi Adityanath, his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma espouse political advocacy stridently furthering Hindutva’s agenda. Notwithstanding PM Modi’s radio silence over Bhagwat’s repeated outbursts, last time prescribing arrogance shedding over general election results that restricted BJP to 240 MPs, social media platforms unleashed criticism waves targeting the RSS Chief over his soft advocacy of Hindutva. “Typical of RSS claiming credit for political wins registered by BJP after Haryana and Maharashtra elections while feigning sleep over their own track record in states like Jharkhand over RSS’ abject failure at outreach in tribal belts through Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram,” the RSS man says. NASA has confirmed the structural engineering marvel of the Ram Setu while Dwarka city is truly resting underwater and yet, India dilly-dallies over Moghul-British era false narratives including scheduled castes and tribes introduced by the latter. Latest infringement at Sambhal was exposed by the ASI to be the remains of a 200-year-old temple built over a mosque and yet, Bhagwat preaches secular values today. Advocacy of Moghul-British invaders next?

Six months after the BJP came into power in Odisha, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi has every reason to be happy. It is learnt that PM Modi has appreciated his citizen centric outreach programmes. This is why PM Modi made it known to Odisha BJP leaders, during his last visit that Majhi is doing good work, in the process he subtly sent a message to CM aspirants that Majhi will be in the CM’s chair for the next five years. Now, there are strong talks that to strengthen Majhi’s hands a former bureaucrat with a strong administration background may be drafted into the Odisha ministry. The name of ex-CAG Chief Girish Chandra Murmu and now external auditor of WHO is doing the rounds. He was one of the several names shortlisted before PM Modi cast his vote in favour of Majhi. Sources say Murmu, who hails from Mayurbhanj in Odisha seems to have ticked all the boxes. He is a strong administrator, down to earth personality. Two, a tribal leader, three, not arrogant and fits into Odia Asmita culture. Being industrious and having both Modi’s and Shah’s confidence since he was earlier Modi’s Principal Secretary in Gujarat and was appointed as Lieutenant Governor of J&K when Article 370 was abrogated. Murmu certainly seems to have the heft and gravitas.

It was something that the Congress couldn’t stomach easily. Perhaps the party was surprised that the Raj Kapoor family had chosen to interact with PM Modi. A day after the social media and TV channels were awash with PM Modi’s interaction with members of the Kapoor family, a very senior Congress leader ventured to put out a snarky social media post questioning the meeting. For some odd reason he completely chose to ignore the context of the meeting. “We have been asking PM Modi to visit Manipur. But he has instead found time to meet with Kareena Kapoor.” Soon good sense prevailed and he deleted his crude post. Guess he must have realised that his post was outright offensive. The Kapoor family had called on PM Modi on December 10 to invite him to the legendary actor-filmmaker’s Film Festival. The festival is to commemorate Raj Kapoor’s 100th birth anniversary, an iconic figure in Indian cinema who passed away in 1988. Ten Raj Kapoor films are going to be showcased across 40 cities in 135 cinemas .The Kapoor family, including actors Ranbir Kapoor, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, Neetu Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Alia Bhat and Saif Ali Khan met the PM. “This is a special day for us. We enjoyed the conversation. He spoke to us in a friendly manner. He made all of us feel very comfortable,” said actor Ranbir Kapoor. His cousin actor Kareena Kapoor Khan said that it was her dream to sit next to PM Modi and talk to him. “His energy is so positive and he is truly a global leader.” PM Modi inquired about the third generation of Kapoors — and autographed for Kareena’s children Tim and Jeh. December 14 marks the 100th birth anniversary of Raj Kapoor.

Discontent seems to be brewing in Odisha BJP’s select pockets. The trigger seems to be aspirations – the CM’s chair. Reading the mood, PM Narendra Modi, in his third visit in November without mincing words gave a clear signal that Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi is here to stay for the next five years. This clearly means there will be no mid-term change. So CM aspirants like Dharmendra Pradhan, Aparijita Sarangi, Baijayant Panda will have to wait for five years. Meanwhile, what is now coming out in the open is infighting within BJP Odisha leaders. The party’s once upon a time strongman Jaynarayan Mishra who had played a big role in toppling Biju Janata Dal lamented publicly that he has been sidelined. This explains why Mishra did not attend BJP’s oath taking ceremony and was absent at the winter session of Odisha Assembly. So seems to be the case of BJP MP Pradip Kumar Panigrahy who was earlier with BJD. He is deliberately keeping a low profile. In all this undercurrent, what is becoming clearer is that Odisha administration, transfers, postings will be managed by bureaucracy and not by BJP politicians.

It is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third visit. This time it was a 3-day visit to attend among other things All India Conference of DGP / IGP’s, CRPF, Chiefs of RAW, NSG, SPG at Bhubaneswar to discuss security and law enforcement issues in the country. PM Modi who spent three days at Bhubaneswar had multiple engagements including dinner with state BJP members. According to source, Modi is expected to visit Odisha again on January 8 and January 28, 2025, marking his fourth and fifth visit to inaugurate Pravasuli Bharatiya Divas and attend the Make in Odisha Enclave. In the past no other PM has given the state so much importance. According to Odisha Law Minister Harichandan BJP’s plan is to make Odisha the growth engine of Eastern India. But Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Lok Sabha MP Sasmit Patra is not convinced and his party has decided to go on aggressive mode. He asks why Odisha has not been given special status like Andhra Pradesh. Patra said, BJD will raise four issues. One, AP’s Polavaram dam project which will submerge thousands of acres of land in Odisha Malkangiri district displacing 6,000 tribals. Two, BJD will pursue what progress the BJP government has made to settle the Mahanadi river water dispute with Chhattisgarh. Three, it will demand the opening of AIIMS at Balasore, Sambalpur, Koraput. Four, BJD will also push for withdrawal of GST on kendu leaves and inclusion of Ho, Mundari, Bhumji,Kui and Saora language in the 8th schedule of the constitution. Looks like Naveen Patnaik’s BJD is going full blast to unnerve BJP.

Nothing could have cheered PM Narendra Modi more than the manner in which a study by Said Business School, Oxford University — From Gridlock to Growth: How Leadership Enables India’s PRAGATI Ecosystem to Power Progress, validated his hands-on approach to governance. Lauding Modi’s leadership, the   study highlighted how Modi’s PRAGATI platform had revolutionised project execution in India. Launched in 2015, PRAGATI, short for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, has facilitated the resolution of bureaucratic challenges, accelerating the completion of key infrastructure projects. By June 2023, over 340 projects worth Rs 17.05 lakh crore ($205 bn) had been reviewed –including projects that were due for three to 20 years. Taking pride in validation by the Oxford study, PM Modi posted on X “PRAGATI represents a wonderful amalgamation of technology and governance, ensuring silos are removed and projects are completed on time. Am glad that the effectiveness of PRAGATI has been recognised in the study by @OxfordSBSand @GatesFoundation”. Listed among some eight transformative projects under PRAGATI are Jammu Udhampur Srinagar Baramulla Rail Link, J&K (approved in 1995). With 38 tunnels and 931 bridges, it’s set for completion by 2025, connecting the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India. Also Navi Mumbai International Airport, Maharashtra. Plagued by land acquisition delays since 2007, saw PRAGATI’s intervention in 2015 resolved disputes, and construction is set for completion by December 2024. A thumbs up from Oxford University for Modi’s quick infra development is bound to silence his critics in the Opposition.

NCP leader and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who arrived in Delhi, a day ahead of  outgoing CM and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, to meet with PM Modi and HM Amit Shah to discuss issues of  Maharashtra government formation  was a picture of cool player.  The national media, which always treated his uncle Sharad Pawar with deference for his capacity to take on leaders in  Delhi, now  viewed Ajitdada in awe.  How did he establish his supremacy in the Baramati  assembly seat, vanquish his cousin Yugendra Pawar  backed by his veteran uncle? Ajitdada patiently  tackled  every query, every doubt in a free-wheeling chat. With Praful Patel , who played host, adding very interesting inputs. However, the secret of NCP’s  phenomenal showing in Baramati and in rest of Western Maharashtra seems to lie in the kind of effort put in by Ajitdada’s own family — his gracious wife Sunetra, now a Rajya Sabha MP, and son Parth. Sunetra, who has always managed her husband’s elections, says she had  gone “house to house” seeking votes. And  it is her quiet voter outreach that seems to have finally paid off. Parth is every chip of the old block; in the sense he is more like family patriarch Sharad Pawar. He is more ambitious for the NCP and vows to  travel across India as he wants the party to expand beyond Maharashtra. He is in no hurry to become a MP or MLA. He asserts at least 2 to 3 Cong MLAs are already in touch with him to join the NCP. Naresh Arora of Design Box, who  advised the NCP in Maha polls, is likely to have a  say in the party’s expansion too.

Though Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi was PM Narendra Modi’s selection, now it seems he is under pressure to deliver results on all fronts — governance practices, wooing investments into the state, employment generation and delivery of social welfare schemes. The yardstick to measure him is whether his governance style is better than his predecessor Naveen Patnaik, a tall leader. Effectively, it means Majhi needs the right man for the right job. And this explains why he has embarked on a major reshuffle exercise within the state bureaucrats. To start with he has requested the centre to depute two senior IAS Odia officers Manoj Kumar Sahoo (Amrut Cadre) and Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra (ex-Secretary & Controller of Examinations of NRA) to Odisha to work in the CMO’s office. In October 2024, Majhi had shuffled 55 IPS officers, including SPs of 21 districts. Again on November 23 he effected a major reshuffle in the IAS cadre by transferring 11 officers and giving them new assignments including strengthening his own home ministry. He has now brought in Trilochan Majhi IAS as Additional Secretary Home to support him in key decisions making. He has appointed Sudhansu Mohan Samal, Additional Secretary, Water Resources Department, as Managing Director of Odisha Mining Corporation Ltd. Effectively many senior IAS officers have got new postings. Will this reshuffle help Majhi effectively run his government?

If rising onion prices decided the election outcome in many states some decades ago, falling soybean prices could impact the outcome in around 70 assembly constituencies in Maharashtra. Hence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, representing two ends of the political spectrum, are found promising farmers of much higher rates, but only after they are elected on 20 November. The sensitive constituencies are spread in Marathwada and Vidarbha regions, where cotton and soybean are the main cash crops. The current market rate of Rs 4000 per quintal is unacceptable to the growers though they have no choice but to sell the produce as it can’t be stored for long. The MSP is Rs 4800 but not enough stocks are lifted by the machinery. The ruling saffron alliance has been promising better tariffs. The government hiked the soybean import duty in a bid to jack up the prices but the hike was of only around Rs 400, still leaving a gap of the same amount. Sensing the distress and the government’s inability to make any major announcement, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has promised Rs 6000 per quintal of the legume. To go a step further, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has pledged to pay Rs 7000. Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray has also joined the chorus. The two regions had by and large supported the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi during the Lok Sabha election. Hence, Mahayuti leaders are wary of saying anything that can dampen their prospects.

On the 12th death anniversary of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi paid tribute to the late leader, offering a poignant message on X. His tweet was seen as a direct response to PM Modi, who had recently mocked Uddhav Thackeray, suggesting he should ask the Congress leader to publicly praise Balasaheb Thackeray. Rahul’s post pleased Sena’s Worli candidate Milind Deora most. He recalled how he had wanted the then UPA government to declare “national mourning” when Balasaheb had passed away in 2012 but it was blocked by some people. Incidentally, Modi had also suggested that Rahul must acknowledge Veer Savarkar, an icon of freedom struggle whose role was recognised by Indira Gandhi herself. Significantly PM  Modi who is away on 3 nation tour beginning with Nigeria paid his tribute in Marathi to Balasaheb Thackeray and thereby fondly flagged his association with the Sena founder on X. Soon after her brother’s tweet Priyanka Vadra lashed out at PM Modi at a rally in Shirdi for targeting Rahul and mentioning Balasaheb Thackeray’s name. Accepting that ideologies of the Congress and the Shiv Sena differed, Priyanka made it clear that “though our policies differ, none of our leaders be it “Balasaheb Thackeray or Rahul Gandhi” would tolerate insult of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj”. She was obviously referring to the fall of the Shivaji statue installed for the Navy.  Former CM Uddhav Thackeray, along with his family, visited the Bal Thackeray memorial at Shivaji Park to pay their respects, offering flowers and garlands at the site.

In a solemn ceremony, Justice Sanjiv Khanna was sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India on November 11, succeeding Justice DY Chandrachud, who retired on November 10, 2024. The oath was administered by President Droupadi Murmu during a ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The event was attended by key figures including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and former CJI Chandrachud. Justice Khanna’s appointment follows the recommendation of Justice Chandrachud, who had recommended him as his successor on October 17. Justice Khanna’s tenure as CJI will last until May 13, 2025. Despite his short tenure, Justice Khanna has opted not to move into the official CJI Bungalow at 5, Krishna Menon Marg. Following the swearing-in, Justice Khanna proceeded to the Supreme Court to preside over the day’s proceedings, hearing 47 cases alongside his colleague, Justice Sanjay Kumar. In his parting address Justice Chandrachud expressed a deep sense of satisfaction with his service, stating, “I won’t be able to deliver justice from tomorrow, but I’m content.” Justice Chandrachud, like other former Chief Justices, will enjoy several post-retirement benefits which have recently been enhanced to include round-the-clock security at their residence, along with a personal security guard available 24/7 for five years post-retirement. He will also get six months of rent-free Type-VII accommodation in Delhi, similar to facilities provided to Union Ministers. Lifetime entitlements include domestic help and a chauffeur, ensuring that their household needs are met and they lead a comfortable life.

Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has raised apprehensions about his future moves, once again. Over the past few days, Ajit has betrayed his ambivalence about the way campaigning is proceeding in Maharashtra. While this is being commented upon, his absence at the final rally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on November 14 has been noted with concern within the ruling Mahayuti. Neither Ajit nor any of his NCP’s candidates turned up for the PM’s rally organised by chief minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and the BJP. As Ajit failed to appear on the dais, the media attention has focussed on his possible calculations after the assembly poll results are out on 23 November. Already, he has rubbed Shinde and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis the wrong way by objecting to UP CM Yogi Adityanath’s slogan batenge toh katenge. Ajit had observed that such slogans will not work in Maharashtra, whose culture was different from that of UP. Ajit’s insistence on fielding former minister Nawab Malik from Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar constituency in Mumbai despite the BJP’s open objections had created some strain within the Mahayuti. Now, Malik has told the saffron formation that Ajit’s NCP will not be a part of the next government if Yuti’s campaign strategy is not changed. Ajit’s another confidant, Dilip Walse Patil had said a few days ago that some fresh combination can occur after the election. Ajit has not refuted neither statement. Hence, he is under close observation by the other two partners of Mahayuti.

The ruling Mahayuti (BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP) and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (Cong-Shiv Sena(UBT)-NCP(SP) have decided to keep both former chief ministers in Maharashtra on hold as a cautionary strategy, indicating that they will open their cards at an opportune time. Both hopefuls, Devendra Fadnavis and Uddhav Thackeray, also have adopted a similar stance though Uddhav had earlier tried to prevail upon the Congress and senior leader Sharad Pawar to project him as the next CM. However, both MVA partners had refused to concede. Now, Pawar has announced that his party will support the leader chosen by the largest of the three parties after the assembly election. According to available statistics, the Congress party is contesting the largest number of seats, 102, leaving 96 for the Shiv Sena under Uddhav and 87 for the NCP led by Pawar. In the Lok Sabha, the Congress strike rate was the most impressive. Hence, the Congress has always maintained its claim as the eldest brother in the MVA formation. Similarly, Fadnavis has been lauded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah over the past two days. Despite this, Shah has declared that a decision about the next Maharashtra CM will be taken after the outcome is declared. The BJP is contesting 152 seats in the 288 member assembly and over a dozen of its leaders are contesting on behalf of the Sena (Shinde) or NCP (Ajit Pawar). Therefore, its prospects are considered better this time, after the Lok Sabha drubbing.

As the Maharashtra election battle enters a crucial phase, a cornered Congress clearly seemed uncomfortable with the kind of mobilisation for Hindu votes by the RSS and top BJP leaders including UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath. While PM Modi’s”ek hai toh safe hai” is being  been viewed largely as  an appeal to OBC and SC/ST communities  to  remain united against any move to dilute their quota entitlements by the Congress, it is  Yogi’s  “batenge toh katenge” that has worried the INDIA bloc. Yogi’s catchy slogan was endorsed by both Sangh and PM Modi.  It is in this background that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge launched a scathing personal attack on the UP CM without taking his name. “Many leaders live in the guise of sadhus and have now become politicians, some have even become CMs. They wear gerua clothes and have no hair on their heads. I would say to the BJP either wear white clothes or if you are sanyasi wear gerua clothes but then get out of politics. On the one hand, you wear gerua clothes and on the other hand say batoge toh katoge and spreading hatred among people and dividing them.” Kharge’s attack on saffron clothes was dubbed as an attack on sanatan dharma. It came in the backdrop of the Congress working out a deal for Muslim votes. BJP sources said it was odd for Kharge to mock Yogi for his saffron attire but not speak a word about maulana in Opposition ranks. Rampur MP Maulana Mohibbullah Nadvi of Samajwadi Party is second such religious person to be in Parliament. The first was Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad. Nadwi is Imam of Parliament masjid.

Former BJP MP Poonam Mahajan’s implication that a conspiracy was behind her father Pramod Mahajan’s murder has stirred the polity. The serious statement made before private Marathi TV channels has come at a time when her party is fighting a pitched battle with the Maha Vikas Aghadi to retain power in Maharashtra. BJP boss Pramod Mahajan was killed by his brother Pravin almost two decades ago. Poonam had maintained silence about the tragedy all these years. She was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2014 and 2019 and was expected to run for a third term. Hence her disclosure at this juncture is interpreted in different ways but none in favour of the saffron party. Poonam’s assertion that her family relations with Uddhav Thackeray have remained unaffected has added to the speculation since all top BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, regard the Shiv Sena leader as Enemy No 1. Poonam’s charge that she was refused nomination this time for the Lok Sabha election since her work was disliked by ‘someone in Maharashtra’ has deepened the suspense created on the eve of Modi’s and Union home minister Amit Shah’s visit to the  state for campaigning for Mahayuti candidates. Her target is deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, according to BJP insiders. Poonam’s veiled warning that she will write to the Union home ministry to throw light on Pramod’s demise has only added to the BJP’s discomfiture.

An upset PM Narendra Modi has discussed with Home Minister Amit Shah and other top security officials why terrorist attacks have increased in Jammu and Kashmir. With a surge in encounters in the Kashmir region, intelligence agencies have told the PMO that some of the highly trained terrorists operating in the Jammu region might have shifted to the Valley ahead of the winter season when the high mountain passes will shut due to heavy snow. Intelligence agencies believe that the terrorists operating in parts of J&K are battle-hardened and are trained on the Afghan front. Most of these ultras also carry U.S.-made M-4 carbines, which suggests that the arms of NATO, which were left in Afghanistan, have fallen into the hands of terror groups based in Pakistan. In the recent past, the Kashmir region has witnessed attacks on non-locals, gunfights with security forces and even an ambush on an Army vehicle on October 24, which left two soldiers and two porters dead. The ambush was similar to the ones that took place in different parts of the Jammu region during the past year. The new trend in which highly trained ultras are conducting attacks has left the security and intelligence apparatus in a tizzy. Major terror attacks in the Jammu region started on the first day of 2023 when seven villagers were killed by armed ultras in Dhangri village of Rajouri. After that, multiple attacks and ambushes were reported from different corners of the Jammu region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s secret political agenda, at work since assuming national power in 2014: Empowerment of one lakh non-political dynasts across political spectrum of India from local self-bodies right up to the topmost constitutional post of President of India. Common man and Dalit Ramnath Kovind became India’s president followed by tribal BJP grassroots worker Draupadi Murmu in the last presidential elections. Latest entrant to big ticket politics is Navya Haridas, international software professional from Kerala, blooded for the Kozhikode civic elections in 2015, now fielded for prestigious Lok Sabha byelections from Wayanad relinquished by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. According to a BJP insider, “PM Modi consciously and overtly launched a broadside against the all prevalent dynastic politics on the Indian political landscape first. He covertly also launched his personal mission for introducing meritorious people into active politics having little or no prior political backgrounds to empower one lakh such candidates across the nation. Navya Haridas is only the latest candidate introduced into national politics to fulfil this endeavour.” Haridas has already served as a two-term civic councillor from Kozhikode and was pressed into service by PM Modi for relief efforts when floods and landslides visited the Wayanad region in Kerala recently. A humble RSS worker’s daughter, relative newcomer to politics, Navya is tasked with taking on Priyanka Gandhi, a political heavyweight ironically being tested for the first time in national politics herself. The result may be a foregone conclusion to many but, for Navya her national political journey has just begun.

A day after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge reprimanded Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivkumar over statements suggesting a possible review of the Shakti scheme, which provides free bus travel for women, PM Modi through social media thread highlighted inability of Congress-ruled states like Himachal Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka to fulfil its guarantees. He took to X to warn people how the Grand Old Party is “realising the hard way that making unreal promises is easy but implementing them properly is tough or impossible.” Coming ahead of Maharashtra and Jharkhand polls, Modi’s warning that voters must check the fiscal health of the Congress governments in HP, Karnataka and Telangana urging people of the country to be vigilant against the Congress sponsored culture of fake promises. Modi pointed out how people in Haryana had rejected their lies. Taking full advantage of the public spat between Kharge and Karnataka Deputy CM over review of free bus ride for women that has now become unsustainable, Modi noted.  “There is a growing realisation across India that a vote for Congress is a vote for non-governance, poor economics and unparalleled loot.” Accepting difficulties in fulfilling some guarantees Kharge highlighted the role of financial responsibility, saying that if the government is unable to deliver upon its guarantees, it will lead to bad reputations and hardships for the communities. “I advised Maharashtra Congress to make promises that align with your budget”. So now it seems the Congress has begun to talk about grounding its guarantees in the budget ever since BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis made it clear that their Ladki Bahin Yojana Scheme was not a shot in the dark. It was all provided for in the state budget!

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will sound the bugle in Maharashtra assembly electioneering on 8 November. Modi will hold a total of nine rallies across the state within a week’s time. The BJP strategists have decided not to take any chance this time after the drubbing received by the party for the Lok Sabha election. Accordingly, Modi’s rally route is meticulously planned. The first two public meetings of the PM will take place in Nashik and Dhule in north Maharashtra. The region is by and large favourable for the ruling saffron alliance and no efforts will be spared to exploit this sentiment. Senior minister Girish Mahajan is pulling out all stops to make both the rallies a grand success. The meeting venue in Nashik has been named as Modi Ground and Mahajan says it will be overflowing with lakhs of people. Modi’s blitzkrieg will be followed by visits of BJP’s star campaigners, many of whom are Union ministers. According to initial planning, Modi will be in Akola and Chimur in Vidarbha on 9 November. His next public meetings will be in Solapur and Kolhapur in western Maharashtra on 13 November. He will round off his whirlwind campaign on 14 November with rallies in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Navi Mumbai and Mumbai. The six geographical regions have seat distribution as follows: Mumbai 36, Thane and Konkan 39, north Maharashtra 47, western Maharashtra 58, Marathwada 46 and Vidarbha 62.

In what  can be seen as part of PM Modi’s  efforts to explain his latest foreign policy decision vis a vis Canada to people in the country, Sanjay Verma, Indian High Commissioner who was recalled from Canada, was seen across TV channels recounting the way he was treated in that country. Verma was not only sharing incidents of personal trauma — a frightening incident when Khalistani assailants attacked him with a sword in Alberta while he was with his wife. Verma described how the Khalistani “goons” came dangerously close to injuring him, noting that they wielded a sword — not a ‘kirpan’ religious symbol — but a weapon capable of causing harm. “When I was in Alberta a sword came around 2-2.5 inches close to my body…”he said. He also revealed how Canada was forcing students with valid visas to apply for asylum. “The Khalistanis have made Khalistan into a business in Canada. In the name of Khalistan, they do human trafficking, drug trafficking and gun-running. They earn a lot of money through that and also through gurudwaras”. He said that extreme hard-line Khalistanis are only about 10,000 in numbers, and supporters amount to perhaps 1 lakh in a Sikh population of about 8 lakhs. He also shared how gangster Goldy Brar who was put on the wanted list after India’s insistence has “disappeared”. “Canada has its gangs, and Goldy Brar is a name that we gave to them, Lawrence Bishnoi is a name that we gave to them. Verma, an IIT graduate and a nuclear scientist has previously served as India’s ambassador to Japan and Sudan.

Acutely feeling the political pressure of abandoning Wayanad for Raebareli Lok Sabha seat, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi made a strong, sweet pitch for his sister Priyanka who filed her papers for the November 13 by-election as his replacement. “Priyanka has always been someone who would sacrifice anything for her family and friends, and this quality will make her an exceptional MP for Wayanad. To her, the people of Wayanad are family. As her brother, I ask you to support and protect her as you have done for me. I will always stand by Wayanad as your unofficial MP,” and then he went on to add that Wayanad would perhaps have two MPs– one official and the other unofficial in him.  The Gandhi scion was aware that Wayanad had stood by him in most trying times. It sent him to Lok Sabha, when he had lost from Amethi during Modi’s first wave in 2014. That’s why Priyanka Vadra’s political debut was made a high profile event. Not only did CPP leader Sonia Gandhi put in an appearance to boost Kerala Congress but party leaders from outside like Karnataka CM Siddaramiah were also present. Deputy CM DK Shivkumar had to skip the event as he had to ensure that BJP leader CP Yogeshwar joined Congress to contest the Channapatna assembly by-election, a seat he had lost to JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy. Meanwhile, the BJP flayed the Gandhi family for fielding Priyanka from Wayand which had 30% Muslim voters. Party spokesperson Pradip Bhandari also charged the party of humiliating Dalit leader Mallikarjun Kharge as he could not be present when Priyanka was handing her papers to the Returning Officer as more than 5 people are not allowed in the room.

If there is one formula for the success of its third term in Haryana that the BJP would most likely use in Maharashtra assembly polls, it would be having a very limited campaign of its star campaigner PM Modi. Unlike the previous strategy of carpet bombing the poll-bound states and Lok Sabha constituencies with Modi’s rallies in the run upto 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the party has begun to restrict the number of Modi’s rallies from Haryana elections. Party sources indicate that PM Modi would not be addressing more than half a dozen rallies and at best such rallies would be spread across different regions in the state. BJP sources pointed out  that the CM face for Mahayuti was more or less settled at the Chandigarh NDA CMs  meeting when PM Modi asked  Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde to move  the resolution lauding the return of the BJP in Haryana for a third term. Shinde was picked for the honour even as Devendra Fadnavis who represents the BJP in Maharashtra was present. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar also attended the Chandigarh meeting. The NDA CMs conclave started immediately after the swearing-in ceremony of Nayab Singh Saini on October 17 in Chandigarh. There were 13 Chief Ministers and 16 deputy CMs belonging to the BJP and other NDA allies in attendance. Besides CMs of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, states like Bihar, Sikkim, Nagaland and Meghalaya had also put in their attendance.

In an interesting initiative, PM Modi has established a monitoring group chaired by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to focus on reviewing the implementation of various schemes announced by him, its budgetary provisions, subordinate legislation, and other critical infrastructure projects. The inaugural meeting of this newly formed group took place on October 18 at the PMO. The meeting saw participation from all secretaries to the GoI, including the Chairman of the Railway Board, who attended in a hybrid format. This group is set to convene monthly at the PMO in South Block. The group has been tasked to examine the announcements made by Modi and also assess projects for which the foundation stone has been laid by him. Besides, Chouhan will also communicate expectations of the PMO to relevant secretaries, especially if any project appears to be lagging or requires inter-ministerial support. Modi was reportedly worried about delays in the implementation of government schemes, highlighting these issues in closed-door meetings with secretaries and senior PMO officials. His proactive approach to governance suggests a commitment to ensuring that all government initiatives are executed in a timely and effective manner. The establishment of this monitoring group is widely interpreted as a response to these concerns. Involving Chouhan with more governance responsibilities also reveals that Modi has more plans for the BJP veteran from Madhya Pradesh than what the RSS envisions for him. The Sangh has been pitching for Chouhan who had a near record run of three plus terms as Madhya Pradesh CM as next BJP chief. With his involvement in both day-to-day administration and global affairs, Modi will surely have his say on who will head the BJP next.

PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah launched their national political plan while proactively handling Haryana’s assembly poll affair to elect 90 MLAs. Focussed on the anti-incumbency factor and unsure BJP’s sitting CM Manoharlal Khattar resigned in March 2024, donated worldly possessions worth Rs 1 crore to PM Relief Fund and was replaced by party’s Haryana OBC face Nayab Singh Saini. ‘Jat’ political predominance was sidestepped with emphasis on Dalit, backward communities instead, never before seen in Haryana. Saini’s eight-month tenure as CM backed several pro backward community measures culminating with his decision to encompass all crops grown in Haryana under the state sponsored MSP regime. The BJP distracted from its held election SOP and announced Saini as its CM face. Senior BJP leader Anand Vij, holding high respectability for probity in public service announced mid-poll campaign he would take leadership as Haryana CM, post elections causing Saini’s swearing in ceremony as CM postponed from October 13, 2024 to October 15 and then finally, held on October 17. BJP’s southern Haryana royalty factor: Rao Birendra Singh also needed assuaging, then said he follows party line after meeting Shah. Amit Shah, appointed by PM Modi, then busy with international challenges, ensured smooth government formation. An insider says, “Saini’s importance envisaged by PM Modi (Shah) factored the impact his community holds in Haryana and also Punjab, Delhi and Rajasthan. Shah smoothened ruffled feathers, accommodating Vij’s political growth just like another day in office. The opposition said rebel infighting within BJP delayed swearing-in but only Congress suffered, then lost elections due to infighting.” 

Surprising India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Pakistan and yet, it was purpose driven, centric to the ‘Akhand Bharat’ philosophy. Without official government assertion on this so far, the MEA Chief exploited his first speech from Pakistan highlighting advancements India registered over the last decade while Pakistan resorted to begging bowl diplomacy seeking foreign funds. India’s MEA S Jaishankar emphasized the stark difference between Bharat and Pakistan, deployed honest yet offensive diplomacy citing India’s undisputed status as defence hub of South East Asia. Contrasted with radical Islamic, state sponsored terrorist pre-dispositioned of the Pakistani military establishment, Jaishankar’s message resonated with Pakistani citizens. Jaishankar simply elucidated that China was not Pakistan’s ally but had taken over leadership position akin to an exploitative employer. The MEA boss’ emphasis on PM Modi’s 2014 ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy reference informed Pakistanis about strong bonds established between India and Afghanistan, an Islamic state, that today calls India its true friend irrespective of the $ 3 billion Indian infrastructure building there. Says a BJP leader, “The Maldivian government has come to its knees, Sri Lanka’s newly elected leftist President seeks closer ties and now, the desperate Canadian PM Justin Trudeau was soundly exposed over his false deep state narrative rant against India sans proof. Trudeau will likely face full force of negative voter sentiments by the majority of Sikh, Punjabi, Gujarati PIO citizens during his bid to hold power in Canada since Modi plays social influencer like never before witnessed global paradigm.

The BJP has finalized its polls strategy for the Maharashtra state assemblies for which Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and UP CM Yogi Adityanath will be the star campaigners. The troika will address 18, 26 and 26 public rallies respectively across Maharashtra in a blitzkrieg of public rallies. This carpet-bombing political strategy seeks to exploit the party’s recent success in the Haryana assembly elections where the BJP returned to power for a record third time and improved performance in the Jammu region of J&K where this troika delivered the goods so-to-speak in good measure. International political developments particularly, in neighbouring Bangladesh played a crucial role in consolidating the Indian voter base of the BJP. Additionally, the RSS had organized 16,000 public meetings in Haryana over the last four months encompassing 6,000 villages in the state through a targeted door-to-door campaign by deploying its Karyakartas in the run up to the state assembly elections with a message of Hindu unity that worked like a charm for the BJP. The RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat publicly announced that his cadre of Pracharaks has laser focussed its attention to the forthcoming state assembly elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand just like it did for Haryana and the general elections of India prior to that through a micro-outreach program. “Our culture, country and (Hindu) religion must not only survive but thrive,” Bhagwat has stated in obvious reference to consistent international (deep state) efforts to undermine India’s growing economy and its cultural identity that has been re-established over the last decade.

Both the newly-elected National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah and the Centre certainly started off on the right note. While PM Modi complimented the NC leader for his party’s commendable performance in winning 42 seats across J&K, Omar promptly thanked PM Modi, quickly adding that “we look forward to a constructive relationship in the true spirit of federalism so that the people of J&K may benefit from continued development and good governance.” Even in media interactions, Omar was careful to suggest that his party would not push for Article 370 — an item on its manifesto — as of  now as he did not wish to be irritating the Centre. “We are not foolish to think we will get Article 370 back. We already have hostile neighbours on both sides. We want strong relations with the Central government”. He acknowledged PM Modi was an honourable man who had promised to restore statehood to J&K once the polls were over. Now that they are, he was only hoping it would be done soon. However reports that J& K LG Manoj Sinha could nominate five members from the BJP to the assembly worried Omar. He said such a move could contribute to friction between the elected government and the Centre and the new government would be compelled to approach the Supreme Court challenging it.  Another big challenge for the new government is how to give representation to the Hindu-dominated mainland Jammu, where the NC-Congress combine have won no seat. The 8 seats the two parties – NC 7, Cong 1 — won in the Jammu province all fall in its hilly areas. Yes, the BJP swept the entire predominantly Hindu-inhabited areas across the Jammu province picking up 29 assembly seats.

Return of the BJP to power in Haryana, after a below par performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, is great news for the Modi government. Firstly, it sets the tone for the next round of assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. It also strengthens the Modi government and its coalition agenda. The Haryana results certainly came as a shock to the Congress which was hoping to ride on the 10-year anti-incumbency of the BJP government. But then both PM Narendra Modi and HM Amit Shah are people who never underestimate their rivals. They had recalled CM Manohar Khattar to Delhi and put a new CM Nayab Singh Saini on the eve of the polls. More than the OBC CM face, what seemed to have worked for the party was the ground work on caste groups. While the Congress relied on mainly mobilising Jat votes via its former CM Bhupinder Hooda, non-Jats rallied behind the BJP fearing a Jat backlash if Hoodas were to return to power.  Sidelining of senior Congress leader Kumari Selja by the Hoodas also gave a handle to the BJP to mobilise Dalit votes. Congress had to readmit Ashok Tanwar at eleventh hour to retrieve Dalit seats as Selja sulked.Two campaign pitches seem to have played a role in the state.  One is a speech by UP CM Yogi Adityanath who made a strong pitch for Hindu unity, referring to the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh he reminded, “Batenge to Katenge, Ek Rahenge to Nek Rahenge.” This was endorsed by PM Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. As for the Congress loss, party sources say Rahul Gandhi’s reference to Sikhs and their religious freedom in India while he was in the U.S.had put off Sikh voters. 

The exit poll predictions about Haryana and Jammu-Kashmir assembly elections have sent cautionary signals to both camps in Maharashtra. While the ruling Mahayuti feels it needs to reinvigorate its cadres, the opposition-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is worried that its workers can become complacent and take the victory in the coming election for granted. Sensing the possibility of doom spreading over the BJP workforce in case the party loses on 8 October, as forecast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi injected a new spirit in the organisation during his Saturday (Oct 6) visit to Maharashtra. He blasted the Congress party like never before while highlighting the developmental work his government has initiated in the state. The party’s election strategy will be redrawn after Haryana and Jammu-Kashmir results on October 8. To capitalise on its spectacular performance in the Lok Sabha election, the MVA is determined to improve upon its parliamentary score. The Congress, the main partner, is confident of a fabulous win. Expression to this feeling by various party leaders has been worrying the other two partners – the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray and the NCP led by Sharad Pawar. Moreover, the complacency already visible among the workers will have to be ended soon by the leadership. The electioneering will start from 14 October, a day after Dussehra, as soon as candidates are announced by different parties.

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin finally managed to elevate his son Udhayanidhi as deputy CM. This much anticipated elevation which was planned twice before was executed without any hitch over the weekend. Father Stalin had worked on it by smoothening out ties with the Centre and PM Modi. Ever since the Centre brought out a commemorative coin to mark 100 years of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi in July, it has been easy for the regional party to reach out to Delhi. Besides, there wasn’t much resistance to the idea of giving a leg up to Udhayanidhi after the Lok Sabha results from party seniors within. In fact most of the seniors could be seen congratulating Udhayanidhi, a first term MLA. He contested the 2021 assembly elections for the first time from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni constituency and was made a state Minister. Congress sources said an early elevation of Udhayanidhi was an indication that Stalin was not in the best of health. That is perhaps why everyone in the DMK had fallen in line. It was evident in the DMK social media timeline as it was crammed with greetings from Tamil film star netas like Kamal Haasan as well as superstars like Rajnikant, Dhanush and producers from Bollywood like Boney Kappor. Only TN BJP chief K Annamalai managed to take potshots. Underscoring the nepotism behind son’s rise in a post, Annamalai said “the sun shines for the privileged few and eclipses for the rest of the state for the last 40 months. People have now understood what the term “Vidiyal” (awakening) actually meant: Vidiyal for self, family, and the chieftains.”

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi may never tire of showcasing his politics as “mohabbat ki dukaan” but from the way Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge responded after recovering from a dizzy spell at a public meeting in Kashmir it just seemed there is hardly anyone in the Congress subscribing to soft view of politics. A somewhat tired Kharge was firm as he vowed not to rest till PM Modi is “removed from power.” This even after PM Modi had phoned him to enquire about his health. Kharge’s spiteful remark sparked a strong response from the BJP. Calling it a “disgraceful” and a “bitter display of spite”, Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted: “Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge Ji has outperformed himself, his leaders and his party in being absolutely distasteful and disgraceful in his speech. In a bitter display of spite, he unnecessarily dragged PM Modi into his personal health matters by saying that he would die only after removing PM Modi from power. It just shows how much hate and fear these Congress people have of PM Modi that they are thinking of him constantly. As for the health of Kharge Ji, Modi Ji prays, I pray and we all pray that he lives a long, healthy life. May he continue to live for many years and may he live to see the creation of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.” Sharing Shah’s tweet, FM Nirmala Sitharaman said how the Congress leadership “never loses any opportunity to display their hate towards Modi” Kharge ji’s speech is one such instance. The Congress has pinned much hope of making a comeback to power at the Centre if it wins in the polls of state assemblies beginning with Haryana.

The secrecy cloud over National Security Advisor Ajit Doval missing out the USA meeting between Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dissipated. Neither Doval’s preoccupation with J&K assemblies nor his apprehensions over Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s criminal lawsuit saw him missing in action. During his American absence India’s intelligence intellectual Doval devoted full-time efforts cementing the Indo-France defence deal for fabrication of nuclear attack submarines, transfer of technology for 110 kilo-Newton thrust aircraft engines and fully weaponized underwater drones. All in a few days work, accomplished by singular minded efforts by India’s top spymaster. Apart from consistent interference in Indian political affairs by U.S. administration both tacitly (George Soros’ broadside on the Adani group) and not-so-tacitly (Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s lawsuit), Indian talks also faltered with Americans over 16 General Electric F404 engines (promised by March 2024) being deliberately stymied for near two years by the latter notwithstanding stated objectives of INDUS-X (India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem). While Biden sought brownie points during his Modi meet-up, Doval set upon an accelerated emphasis on the Indo-French technology connection that now only awaits the official declaration, come September 30. Busy-as-a-bee Doval has not only tied up India’s defence deals for fifth generation fighter jets, nuclear attack subs and all-purpose drones but also, established a Russian channel to dissipate Indo-China tensions leading to new world order axis of nations including India, Russia, China, France, Australia and more set for an economic-defence common cause states enlarged grouping of the Global South.

In an indication of “sweetening” of ties between the DMK and the BJP, Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin flagged his meeting with PM Modi as “cordial” as he raised all outstanding issues of his state with the Centre such as requesting release of the Centre’s share for Phase 2 of the jointly implemented Chennai Metro, noting that several states which initiated their metro projects after TN have already received their funds. With traditional ally Congress exploring ties with AIADMK and other alternatives, it looks like the DMK also seems to be looking for a fall back option. Stalin’s reachout comes a fortnight after FM Nirmala Sitharaman’s tough talk that the Phase II of Chennai Metro Rail was a state project and ought to be funded by the state, with the Centre chipping in with only 10% of the total cost. Of the total cost of Rs 63,246 crore, TN is expected to invest Rs 22,228 crore while the Centre Rs 7,425 crore. An additional Rs 33,593 crore was obtained through various multilateral agencies. “However, only 27% of the loan, equaling to Rs 5,880 crore, has been utilised by the state. As per the FRBM rules, up to 3% GSDP can be borrowed (by the state), and since this project is categorised as a state sector project, the loan should fall within the FRBM limit,” she said.TN cannot blame Centre over funds. Phase 1 of the Metro Rail project, which started in 2015, covered 54 km and was initiated as a central sector scheme, with 60% of the cost being covered by external loans. Stalin also urged for immediate release of Samagra Shiksha funds, currently withheld due to the non-implementation of the NEP. Interestingly, Stalin also met with Congress leader Sonia Gandhi.

Even as the Congress has rallied behind Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah in the MUDA land scam in spite of the High Court verdict and the Lokayukta Police registering an FIR, it is most likely that pressure may mount on him to step aside post October 8 — once Haryana and J&K election results come in. It is believed that there could be a change of guard ahead of Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections. Congress sources say specific instructions were given by AICC functionary KC Venugopal to deputy chief minister DK Shivkumar, Siddaramaiah’s main challenger, to remain solidly behind Siddaramaiah at least for now.  Of course, it is widely believed in Congress circles that Shivkumar may have helped BJP leaders access papers regarding the MUDA land scam and helped in highlighting the case. Interestingly, the MUDA scam verdict was also a talking point in PM Modi’s rallies in Haryana. He warned Haryana people not to even think of voting for the Congress. Citing the Karnataka HC order in MUDA scam, PM Modi pointed out how the Karnataka CM was accused in the land scam and had upheld the investigation ordered by the Governor. He also raised the issue of the state government diverting funds meant for Dalits. “There is no party more dishonest than Congress in the entire nation”. It was this attack by Modi on the Congress and Siddaramaiah on allegation of illegalities in allotment of 14 sites worth Rs 56 crore to the chief minister’s wife Parvathi by MUDA that may have saved Sidda his job for the moment. Only one can’t say for how long.

The shoe is on the other foot now, for the U.S. administration under President Joe Biden that brazenly interfered before, during and continues even after general elections held in India in April returned the BJP-led NDA to power. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, observing a less than a tit-for-tat policy, is emerging as the big social influencer for the forthcoming Presidential polls in the USA. While stopping short of responding in equal measure over U.S. meddling, Modi has leveraged his popularity among the Indian diaspora in the USA pitching for Donald Trump’s second innings at the helm of American political affairs. India’s exasperation with U.S. meddling and constant interference during the Lok Sabha polls was further aggravated even thereafter, when more coordinated efforts were launched from U.S. shores targeting Indian industry, political outreaches to regionally disruptive players from India. The proverbial last straw on the camel’s back came when Khalistan proponent Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, backed by U.S. administration, launched a criminal suit broadside against India and even warned against Indian flyers using the national air carrier, followed up by Leader of the Indian Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi loud speaking about Sikhs in India being unable to visit gurdwaras or even sport religious accessories like the Kada during his recent U.S. visit. The CIA toolkit of interference in Indian political affairs now faces Modi’s comeback albeit, only as a positive influence for the candidature of Trump as the next U.S. President. NSA Ajit Doval also gave the PM’s Biden meeting a miss right after his Russia and Ukraine engagements adding further grist to the ill. 

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin said he would be seeking an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and personally request him to release funds meant for the second phase of the Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) project as well as the funds due to the State under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) relating to school education. Both funds have been blocked by the Centre. His finance minister Thangam Thennarasu has already issued a statement hitting out at the Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman for saying that the ongoing CMRL second phase for Chennai was a State sector project. He had pointed out that the project envisaged in 2017 was a central sector project in which the Union government’s share had worked out to Rs 7,425 crore. He also refuted a statement by Ms Sitharaman that the state had spent only Rs 5,880 crore on the 119-km phase II whereas the state had already expended more than Rs 18,000 crore so far. The step motherly treatment being meted out to Tamil Nadu, considered the last bastion against the ruling BJP is borne out by the fact that funds allocated for Metro Rail schemes in cities like Bengaluru (Rs 30,399 crore), Kochi (Rs 1,957 crore), Nagpur (Rs 6,708 crore), Pune (Rs 910 crore) and Thane (Rs 12,200 crore), are all from the Centre’s kitty while not even what was promised for Chennai Metro expansion has been delivered.

In the backdrop of the recent roll out of Mazhi ladki bahini yojana by Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde it was interesting to see PM Modi, taking a break from reticence of not taking names of officials and acknowledging roles women officers played in building institutions.  Lauding the state government for its women-led development approach, Modi said that Maharashtra had laid the path of women empowerment for the nation. Referring to women officers doing an excellent job in many high positions in the state, PM Modi for the first time took names of all the officers who were helming their departments and contributed to Maharashtra’s governance. He mentioned Sujata Saunik who was guiding the state administration as Chief Secretary for the first time in the history of the state. He referred to DGP Rashmi Shukla leading the state police force, Shomita Biswas who was heading the state’s Forest Force and Suvarna Kewale handling the responsibility of the state’s Law Department. He also mentioned Jaya Bhagat who had taken charge as Principal Accountant General of the state, Prachi Swaroop leading the Customs Department in Mumbai and Ashwini Bhide as the MD of Mumbai Metro. Referring to women in Maharashtra in the field of higher education, PM referred to Lt Gen Dr Madhuri Kanitkar, the Vice Chancellor of Maharashtra Health University, and Dr Apoorva Palkar, the first Vice Chancellor of Maharashtra’s Skills University. “Successes of these women are proof that women power of the 21st century is ready to give a new direction to society,” Modi remarked adding that this woman power is the biggest foundation of Viksit Bharat. He was speaking at Palghar.

Is Ram Madhav being readied to take over the role of the next BJP national president? His recent appointment, along with Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, as overseers of political affairs for the forthcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections to 87 constituencies is a silent indicator in this regard. While general knowledge about Madhav’s last assignment in India’s forehead region state of J&K painted him in bad colours, the truth is farther from the apparent facts. “Back then, information was muddled over apparent issues relating to his unsolicited interest in an Indian corporate’s foray in J&K, which could not be further than the truth. On the contrary, Ram Madhav, had actually been tasked with making quick inroads with the Mufti Mohammed led PDP and he succeeded in his assignment. The BJP formed a government with PDP as a result, albeit a short tenured one,” says senior BJP leader Mahendra Jain. Following this Madhav was tasked with another important assignment that took him to foreign shores, including Iran, where he was entrusted with the task of fostering better ties abroad. During his foreign assignment, Madhav, who was presumed to have been relegated to the backwaters of BJP politics, was actually interacting with international scholars, RSS functionaries and meeting up with offshoots of the Sangh Parivar there particularly, in Islamic nations. His mission was accorded the tag of having been a ‘good show’ in terms of achieved results as a BJP asset deployed abroad. The buzz in BJP circles, in the wake of Madhav’s appointment to oversee the J&K assembly elections is that he is being primed up for the top post as National BJP president to replace JP Nadda, who has been inducted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi into his Union Cabinet of Ministers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shown his earlier self again, exhibiting his trademark confidence by challenging his detractors. At the same time, Modi’s unambiguous endorsement of the ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme and the Mahayuti’s proposed election strategy is expected to heighten the morale of the ruling dispensation to retain power after the next assembly election, too. Modi was in Jalgaon in north Maharashtra for ‘Lakhpati Didi’ gala launch on Sunday. “Compare my 10 years with the seven decades of the previous governments,” Modi said aggressively while addressing a massive women’s rally at the venue. Just back from a visit to Poland and Ukraine, Modi once again underscored the role of women, receiving huge applause from over one lakh women present at the rally. To rub in the message more strongly, Modi condemned the atrocities against women while calling for the most stringent action against the perpetrators. Though he did not name any state or leader by name, his target was obvious. He sent clear signals that the campaign for the coming state assembly election in the state would dwell on garnering women’s support. The Maha Vikas Aghadi of the three opposition parties has focussed its campaigning against the Mahayuti government by time and again highlighting the Badlapur school atrocity against two tiny girls. CM Eknath Shinde has charged that the MVA is rattled by the unprecedented response received to his ‘Laadki Bahin’ scheme from women around the state and hence indulging in reprehensible tricks to attack his government.

Opposition political formations especially, the INDIA Bloc, are euphoric after the prompt formation of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for consultations, legislative progress on the Waqf Board reforms bill introduced by PM Narendra Modi’s government. They bask in political glory having forced the government to backpedal and JPC scrutiny. BJP strategically exhibited due alacrity in JPC formation, keen to fast track, re–introduce bill before parliament again. “The bill seeks reforms including inclusion of non–Muslims in the appellate tribunal regarding Waqf Board issues ushering transparency into the functioning of the board. The draft bill was circulated over a month back so, the sudden furore is surprising,” a senior BJP leader says adding that opposition’s predilection with proposed bill on Waqf Board, the largest land holder in India after Indian Railways, and defence allowed BJP to bring in another amendment related to the CAA Bill as well as focus on forthcoming Rajya Sabha elections for 12 MP scheduled in the first week of September. “The BJP expects to grow the number of Rajya Sabha MPs to around eight out of the 12 seats to be filled up including presidential nominees. Misplaced focus of opposition formations out–of–sync with India’s changed political template under Modi means they have missed the boat, so to speak,” the leader noted. With effected amendment in 2024 to the already legislated CAA Bill of 2019, the Union government has removed stringent requirements of banking account details, (Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Afghanistani) passports among other prerequisites for persecuted Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Christians to now simply enrol for Indian citizenship. The murderous coup in Bangladesh followed the amendment earlier this year for compassionately absorbing persecuted minorities there into India.

Kerala Forest Minister AK Saseendran broke down while consoling people looking for their missing family member days after the devastating landslides in Wayanad district. The minister, who visited the landslide-hit areas, spoke to a father and son who were seen searching at the spot where their house once stood. Saseendran turned emotional while listening to the painful words and concerns of the hapless family and embraced the boy to console him. “I never thought in my life that I would have to see such a sight. What reply should I give them?” Saseendran asked. Meanwhile, there was high praise for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Wayanad where he spent two hours more than scheduled at the relief camp for survivors where he saw and heard firsthand the extent of the landslide tragedy that struck the area, killing at least 300 people (official tally 229) and another 200 (official tally 130) still missing. The entire state machinery having swung into action to tend to survivors, there has been no dearth of empathy for what happened to the people living in the eco-sensitive region. The PMs genuine message that he would spare no effort in helping Kerala and sending financial help towards rehabilitation after receiving a report from the state was welcomed by the CM.

This is a story that must be told at least a day ahead of PM Modi’s visit to Wayanad.  It is about his Minister of State from Kerala George Kurian and BJP leader who was put to work on the day of landslides itself. Yes, he was woken up by a phone call from the PM’s office at 3 am on July 30. With instructions to go to Wayanad and oversee rescue operations. He flew to Bengaluru by the 6 am flight, then to Kozhikode by army copter. From there to the landslide affected area by road .From the morning of July 30 till August 4, just a few hours after the landslides, this man has been walking and working nonstop in the affected areas. Traversing risky roads with the army and rescue teams, making arrangements for rescue operations, the Bailey bridge, lending an ear, a shoulder, a helping hand to the affected. Also coordinating with the central government. He has been operating below the radar without giving a media byte or addressing the media. The Kerala press has also ignored his work as he hasn’t highlighted his work via FB posts.  His down to earth work was briefly noticed when there were memes during the visit of Gandhi siblings to Wayanad.

Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is among the frontrunners to don the mantle of the president of the BJP. Sitting president J P Nadda’s term will soon come to an end. When Nadda was inducted in the Modi 3.0 team, it was obvious that the party will start looking for its new president. Besides giants like Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Dharmendra Pradhan, the name of Fadnavis is making rounds of the political grapevine in the national capital. However, the state assembly election being slated for October this year, some rethink about the schedule of his installation at the BJP headquarters could take place. BJP top brass has not given any indication either way but whispers are seeping out about the party machine’s overhaul. Owing to the disappointing show of the party in the Lok Sabha election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is said to be more malleable now towards RSS suggestions. In such a scenario, Fadnavis will fit the bill perfectly as he is close to both, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Modi. If and when Fadnavis is elevated, the thorny issue of selecting the next chief minister of Maharashtra will automatically get resolved as present incumbent Eknath Shinde or another DCM, Ajit Pawar, will be asked to run the show provided the NDA wins a majority. Fadnavis has time and again expressed his desire to devote to the party work.

Who is KK? The intriguing initials are bound to be familiar to Gujarat watchers …straight out of a 70s Loin Ajit film. Far from it. Kuniyil Kailashnathan has served as Principal Chief Secretary to three Gujarat CMs –heading that list is Narendra Modi who spotted this talent. KK could translate every strategy into actionable plans, becoming a by word in bureaucracy. Strange why there is no research that most powerful bureaucrats are by far Southies? A Keralite by birth, he grew up in Ooty, graduated from the Madras University and worked as a Professor before cracking the IAS in 1979, zooming up in the power ladder. Now aged 71, he enjoyed a 12 years extension in Gujarat before opting out …and to be appointed as the 25th Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi’s term gets over and he has met with both the PM Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah seeking an extension. Governor Ravi, a former Intel chief has made history as a major irritant to DMK. The buzz is that KK is an interim red herring to lull all concerned; will be moved eventually into the Chennai Raj Bhavan closer to 2026 Assembly elections? KK is fluent in Tamil and may take this talent to a higher level as a foxy bureaucrat. DMK in full prep mode for 2026 cannot let its guard down.

It was billed to be intervention on the Union Budget but Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi’s speech was clearly non-serious and limited to flagging his own pet issues such as caste census, legal status for MSP.. His favourite punching bag was how the Budget was going to help PM Modi’s friends create more wealth at the cost of India’s youth and the middle class. Flashing a picture of customary halwa making ahead of Budget in the House in violation of rules, Rahul wondered why there was no one from OBC, SC or ST among the secretaries involved in Budget making. A bit disappointed that PM Modi had not turned in to listen to his speech — there was no need for PM Modi’s presence, since both defence minister Rajnath Singh and FM Nirmala Sitharaman were in attendance. Rahul felt the PM did not have the “nerve” to listen into his speech.  Charging  the government of  trapping Indians in a modern-day ‘chakravyuh’ and unleashing an atmosphere of fear in the country,  Rahul alleged it  was being run by six people led by PM Modi, HM Amit Shah, NSA Ajit Doval, two industrialists  close to PM  and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. He said because of the ‘chakravyuh’ there has been “concentration of financial power… We are going to break down this ‘chakravyuh’. The biggest way of doing this is the caste census,” he said and added that INDIA Bloc would pass guaranteed legal MSP and caste census in the LS. Disappointed with losing out the NEET battle in the Supreme Court, Rahul wondered why the FM had not spoken about paper leaks. But then why should she….that is not her domain?