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DMK’s setting son: How Alagiri went from ‘King of Madurai’ to tending to his farms

Expelled from DMK in 2014 for 'speaking ill' of his brother Stalin, former Union minister is now rarely seen at public events & doesn't want to be in politics anymore, say aides.

Grassroots workers or ‘proxies’? How Maharashtra women leaders have fared with quota in local bodies

While women's reservation bill has been introduced only now, Maharashtra's had local governance quota for women for 3 decades. It produced firebrand leaders, but gender bias still exists.

Gujarat fetched AAP a ‘national party’ tag. Defections have since pushed it downhill in the state

The party, which had a strong showing in the 2022 assembly polls and the 2021 municipal elections, has been struggling to retain its leaders and workers in the state.

How ‘snubbed’ Munde is furthering ‘Brand Pankaja’ to tighten hold on father Gopinath’s legacy

Perceived to have been sidelined in BJP, former MLA Pankaja Munde’s 8-day tour of state’s Shakti Peeths and jyotirlingas seen as attempt to consolidate base, build own political capital.

No corporator to turn to, lack of funds — people pay price of delayed civic polls in Maharashtra

Terms of 24 corporations in the state have expired over past 3 yrs but no polls have been planned. NGOs allege state-appointed administrators lack accountability, not invested enough.

‘Confronting Sanatana Dharma an old tradition’ — why Udhayanidhi remark hasn’t shocked Tamil Nadu

Analysts say DMK leader & Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's comments on Sanatana Dharma reflect what Dravidian parties have espoused for decades.

Youth leader with the Pawar ‘stamp of approval’ — who is Rohit Pawar, NCP’s rising star 

Grandson of Appasaheb Pawar, Sharad Pawar’s older brother, Rohit had been quietly working in the background. Then, Ajit Pawar rebelled against the party.    

Birthplace of AIADMK, gave 6 CMs — why southern Tamil Nadu is crucial to state’s politics

Madurai, gateway to southern Tamil Nadu, turned around MGR’s fortunes & was springboard for many regional parties. According to one analyst, 'Route to Fort St George goes from here'.

Japan to Russia, why Fadnavis is wooing Marathi diaspora — long-term goals, short-term power tussle

Fadnavis has intensified his focus on the Marathi diaspora since he took charge as Deputy CM in the Eknath Shinde-led govt, as evidenced in his 3 foreign trips over the past year.

The ‘torn sari’ that shaped Amma — what happened to Jayalalithaa in TN assembly on 25 March, 1989

Jayalalithaa had walked out of assembly in torn saree. While it’s unclear what led to it, the episode lit a ‘fire’ in AIADMK supremo that kept her at state’s helm till death.

On Camera

A 15-point agenda for Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu to counter Trump’s H1B visa move

I write this open letter to Chandrababu Naidu as Indian emigration and return becomes a hot issue. Many H-1B workers in the US are from Andhra Pradesh: Jaithirth Rao

Market regulator SEBI clears Adani Group of impropriety alleged by Hindenburg Research

SEBI probe concluded that purported loans and fund transfers were paid back in full and did not amount to deceptive market practices or unreported related party transactions.

India looks to procure more S-400/S-500 air defence systems from Russia

The 2018 contract with Russia for 5 S-400 systems had a follow-on clause for 5 more. S-400 was described as a 'game-changer' for shooting down 5 Pakistan fighter jets during Op Sindoor.

Something’s hidden in the Oval Office photo of Trump, Munir, Sharif. India must look closely

What Munir has achieved with Trump is a return to normal, ironing out the post-Abbottabad crease. The White House picture gives us insight into how Pakistan survives, occasionally thrives and thinks.