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Where Warkaris see devotion, politicians see ‘marketing’ — following annual ‘Wari’ pilgrimage

Warkaris belonging to apolitical, caste-less sect, see political parties warming up to them — from BRS chief KCR to Shinde govt which announced health insurance for pilgrims.

Ex-professor, Udayar leader with ‘short fuse’ — all about K Ponmudy, 2nd DMK minister to face ED raids

After Senthil Balaji, ED now searching premises linked to Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy & son Gautham Sigamani, his close relatives, and associates.

Aurangabad city may have been renamed, but Maharashtra politics is not quite done with Aurangzeb

In past 4 months, Maharashtra has seen multiple communal conflicts centered around the Mughal emperor. Political analysts believe his name is being used by parties to polarise voters.

Tiffs with ally BJP, optical wins & ground-level cadre challenges — 1 yr of Shinde rebellion

A year on, CM Eknath Shinde-led faction says work of building new organisation on ground remains slower than expected. Meanwhile, clashes between Sena & BJP have become apparent.

Arrested TN minister Senthil Balaji is Karur strongman, ‘Yes man’ favoured by Jayalalithaa & Stalin

Senthil was part of coterie that supported Sasikala’s nephew in AIADMK factional fight. After joining DMK, he was credited with its good show in Kongu region in civic polls.

Shrunken national footprint, politics ‘too cultured’, overdependence on Sharad Pawar — 24 yrs of NCP

Party’s electoral presence in home turf Maharashtra & Lok Sabha is almost same as it was soon after its formation. Pawar’s politics seen as ‘a bit too cultured’ for the times. 

What has Sameer Wankhede been up to since Aryan storm? Social work, BJP photo-ops & a CBI probe

IRS officer Sameer Wankhede, who faces a CBI probe over alleged 'Aryan Khan drug bust', has been building a social profile championing various causes, even triggering rumours of a political foray.

As call for MDMK-DMK merger sparks debate, how splits & ‘ghar wapsis’ shaped Dravidian politics

When Dravidian politics stalwart S Duraisamy quit Vaiko’s MDMK Tuesday, he called for its merger with ‘mother’ party DMK. A look at the many splits & succession wars in the Tamil Nadu parties.

From MGR & Amma to EPS: How ‘Lion of Salem’ Palaniswami made AIADMK crown his own

AIADMK is finally in grip of Jayalalithaa protégé EPS after a bitter factional battle. But while he is coming into his own, threats linger — from ally BJP to rival O. Panneerselvam.

Hindutva vs Hindutva, us vs them — what’s fuelling incidents of communal unrest in Maharashtra

The state has witnessed at least 7 incidents of communal violence in the past 3 months, as multiple parties and organisations compete to claim the Hindutva agenda.

On Camera

Modi’s speech rightly questions politics of appeasement. Wrongly targets all Muslims

The PM did make a valid point when he criticised the Congress for categorising the entire Muslim community in Karnataka under the Other Backward Classes. It is pure appeasement of Ashraaf Muslims and discriminates against Pasmandas.

Foreign policy resonating among more Indians in 2nd & 3rd tier towns of India, says EAM Jaishankar

Speaking at launch of economist Surjit Bhalla’s book, S Jaishankar also highlights Gen Z’s engagement with ‘reel culture’, which has 'promoted awareness, created interest in many subjects'.

Germany removes restrictions, India can now buy small arms from its firms

Germany’s erstwhile Christian Democratic Union govt, led by Angela Merkel, prevented sale of small arms to police forces in states they perceived had ‘bad human rights record’.

These 6 states are key for Modi’s ‘400 paar’ target. They’re also where Opposition can stop him

While this contest looks so predictable in large swathes of our political landscape, it is also more keenly contested than 2019 in some states.