Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg's second day in India started with a ceremonial reception followed by meetings with PM Modi and external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj.
Forget comparing it with classics like Hrithik’s Ek Pal Ka Jeena or the slick title track of Dhoom 2, Janaab-e-Aali does not even come close to Ghungroo.
India’s industrial output growth saw a 10-month low in June, with Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growing by mere 1.5% as against 1.9% in May 2025.
Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.
Mamata Banerjee, JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy, Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, BSP General Secretary Satish Chandra Mishra, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah and other opposition leaders join hands together during TMC’s mega rally Brigade Samavesh. (Image: PTI)
1. On can understand why all regional parties have demonstrated unity in Kolkata rally. One can also understand why all of them wish to defeat BJP. 2. Whether the Congress will be invited as a partner of United Opposition Front (UOF) is an interesting question in this context and answer to this question is not an easy one. 3. As a citizen-voter, my observations on opposition show of unity and real strength of UOF are: (a) not one of the regional parties has a national presence or economic agenda; (b) these parties are yet to decide on a common programme of action; (c) leader of each party has limited interest of serving his/her voters in his/her respective State. Further, so many regional leaders have Prime Ministerial ambitions. Hence, my view is that if leaders of regional parties wish that UOF be accepted as a serious contender for forming a government in the Centre after the coming LS election, then I think they should demonstrate their capabilities to govern a vast country.
A most impressive conclave. Also a very direct, honorable way of staking her claim. The regional parties are a valuable component of our federalism. No justification to dismiss them as “ khichadi “. A triploar polity works well for India. Unfortunate that the Congress could not hold on to Ms Mamata Banerjee, give her space to grow. Difficult to name any present Congress leader from Bengal. Shri Pranab Mukherjee was an important figure in Delhi, but he contributed nothing to the revival of the party in the state.
CM Mamata Banerjee has assembled a lot of electoral stardust on the stage in my beloved Calcutta. It would have been gracious for Congress President to have been present.
Mamata Banerjee, JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy, Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, BSP General Secretary Satish Chandra Mishra, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah and other opposition leaders join hands together during TMC’s mega rally Brigade Samavesh. (Image: PTI)
1. On can understand why all regional parties have demonstrated unity in Kolkata rally. One can also understand why all of them wish to defeat BJP. 2. Whether the Congress will be invited as a partner of United Opposition Front (UOF) is an interesting question in this context and answer to this question is not an easy one. 3. As a citizen-voter, my observations on opposition show of unity and real strength of UOF are: (a) not one of the regional parties has a national presence or economic agenda; (b) these parties are yet to decide on a common programme of action; (c) leader of each party has limited interest of serving his/her voters in his/her respective State. Further, so many regional leaders have Prime Ministerial ambitions. Hence, my view is that if leaders of regional parties wish that UOF be accepted as a serious contender for forming a government in the Centre after the coming LS election, then I think they should demonstrate their capabilities to govern a vast country.
A most impressive conclave. Also a very direct, honorable way of staking her claim. The regional parties are a valuable component of our federalism. No justification to dismiss them as “ khichadi “. A triploar polity works well for India. Unfortunate that the Congress could not hold on to Ms Mamata Banerjee, give her space to grow. Difficult to name any present Congress leader from Bengal. Shri Pranab Mukherjee was an important figure in Delhi, but he contributed nothing to the revival of the party in the state.
CM Mamata Banerjee has assembled a lot of electoral stardust on the stage in my beloved Calcutta. It would have been gracious for Congress President to have been present.