Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s big announcement on Friday about conferring the Bharat Ratna to former prime ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh and Agriculture scientist MS Swaminathan can be perceived as BJP’s big push in southern India and Western Uttar Pradesh ahead of Lok Sabha elections. PM Modi’s announcement about the nation’s highest honor being awarded to the erstwhile politicians drew support from politicians across the country, with most supporting the move. Charan Singh served as India’s fifth prime minister from 1979 to 1980. Hailing from Noorpur in Uttar Pradesh ..read more

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are months away. But there are big developments taking place, which could turn the political scenario of the country. On Wednesday, rumours began circulating of a possible reunion between the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) when former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu landed in Delhi and is scheduled to meet with Home Minister Amit Shah. What’s going on? Why is the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) courting the TDP? Does this move benefit Naidu? We take a closer look at what’s going on and the implications of a ..read more

Sharad Pawar suffered a major setback on Tuesday (6 February) after the Election Commission of India (ECI) recognised Ajit Pawar-led faction as the real Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The poll body awarded the party name and its ‘clock’ symbol to the camp led by senior Pawar’s nephew, Ajit. The EC also gave a one-time concession to the Sharad Pawar-led faction to select a new name and symbol for the party for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections for six seats in Maharashtra by 4 pm on Wednesday. This comes nearly a year after the EC recognised Eknath Shinde-led faction of the Shiv Sena as the ..read more

In a few hours from now, the fate of newly appointed Jharkhand chief minister Champai Soren will be realised. His government will have to prove its majority today (5 February) during a floor test, which has been scheduled to begin at 11 am. The floor test comes just days after Soren was sworn in — on 2 February — following the arrest of previous Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s resignation and subsequent arrest. Currently in jail, Hemant Soren will also take part in the voting process today. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led alliance MLAs have exuded confidence ahead of the vote, even as they made t ..read more

It almost sounds like a television show, but, in fact, it’s reality. As Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren prepares to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to record his statement in an alleged land fraud case, and rumours of his arrest are swirling, there’s speculation that his wife, Kalpana Soren, will take over the chief ministerial post. While Soren’s party, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has refuted this speculation, it has got credence after BJP MP Nishikant Dubey made a similar claim. But who is Kalpana Soren? And how did we get here? Who is Kalpana Soren? Born in 1976 in ..read more

It feels like déjà vu all over again. Nitish Kumar is back to where he was in early 2022 — with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). On Sunday (28 January), the Janata Dal (United) {JD(U)} chief took the oath of office for the ninth time with the support of the BJP, after dumping his former allies — the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the INDIA bloc. It’s no surprise that the JD(U)’s flip — fifth time in over 10 years — has earned him the title of ‘Paltu Ram’ in Bihar politics. Shortly after he took the oath of chief minister, he was congratulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP lead ..read more

It’s all but finalised. Speculation is at an all-time high that Nitish Kumar is dumping the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the INDIA bloc, and will be joining hands with the BJP once again. Different sources have reportedly said that the Janata Dal (United) {JDU} chief will resign and take oath as chief minister once again on Sunday (28 January). If reports are to be believed then Sushil Kumar Modi will be taking oath as the deputy chief minister of Bihar. As per News18, the JD(U) has sought time from the Raj Bhawan this evening. If Nitish Kumar does switch over to the BJP on Sunday, this woul ..read more

“Today marks the conclusion of a significant chapter in my political journey. I have tendered my resignation from the primary membership of @INCIndia, ending my family’s 55-year relationship with the party. I am grateful to all leaders, colleagues & karyakartas for their unwavering support over the years.” With these words, former MP and Union Minister Milind Deora quit the Congress on Sunday (14 January) and within hours joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. After joining the party in Shinde’s presence, Deora told reporters in Mumbai, “This is a very emotional day for me. I had never th ..read more

After intense negotiations, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has been chosen to be the chairperson of opposition bloc INDIA, people aware of the development said. INDIA bloc is yet to make an official announcement. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was another contender for the top post, but in Saturday’s meeting he said that someone from Congress should assume charge. INDIA or ‘Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance’ is a group of opposition parties, including the Congress. Several political parties have come together to take on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which is ..read more

The historic pran pratishtha or consecration ceremony at Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir is just days away – it is scheduled for 22 January – and politics around the event is heating up. The Congress’ top echelon, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and the party’s Lok Sabha leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who had received invitations for the 22 January grand event to be held in Ayodhya have declined. But will this decision hurt the Congress in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls? We get you the full lowdown on the matter – from the party’s refusal to the event to the impact of such a decision on the 2024 gene ..read more