Filmstar Vijay’s blockbuster Tamil Nadu win ends the six-decade stranglehold of Dravidian majors, DMK and AIADMK. It stems from Tamils’ exasperation with mere identity politics and regionalism. Vijay’s proclaimed ideology of honest administration, promises of doles and freebies sound familiar. He has to deliver much more to build durable politics.
Himanta Sarma must not misinterpret Assam win as vindication of his repeated calls to polarisation
BJP’s third consecutive victory in Assam reaffirms Himanta Biswa Sarma’s popularity and acumen. We can only hope he won’t misinterpret it as vindication of his repeated calls to polarisation. His is a renewed mandate for welfarist, development-centric governance. Congress meanwhile stares at political irrelevance, thanks to its confused, unimaginative leadership.
BJP has a twin challenge in Bengal—reboot governance system, abandon its polarising instinct
BJP’s historic win starts a new era in Bengal. It vanquished its toughest challenger since 2014 in Mamata Banerjee. The mandate reflects Bengalis’ aspirations for a better life and fatigue with apathetic governance and systemic corruption. BJP has a twin challenge: reboot the governance system and abandon its polarising instincts.