Rumour is that Home Minister Amit Shah is planning something for Maharashtra in light of the 2024 Lok Sabha election. According to sources, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar is at the centre of that thought. Shah not only sees Pawar as a powerful leader but also a skilful one. The home minister also respects Pawar for being a seasoned politician. Perhaps the politics currently underway in Maharashtra might be paving the way for a broader political manoeuvring.
What about our jobs
A senior Congress strategist believes, and tells others as well, that times are changing. For the first time in the past few years, the public is beginning to trust the promises made in the Congress manifesto. It’s a good thing. However, another prominent leader in the party pointed out that there’s a need for a manifesto to provide employment to the party members as well.
JDU minus one
The door to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is now permanently closed for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The BJP might consider joining hands with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)once, but never with Kumar. The party is openly announcing this vow. It’s worth noting that the BJP isn’t talking about doors being permanently closed for Kumar’s party Janata Dal (United). Do BJP leaders sense some development is brewing within the JD(U)?
Also read: Kharge is rebuilding Congress brick by brick, taking a leaf out of Prashant Kishor’s playbook
Breaking news ‘experiment’
Politicians become extra careful whenever there is talk of an ‘experiment’ in politics. Currently, there is speculation that the Congress top brass is considering a breaking news ‘experiment’—field party president Mallikarjun Kharge as a Dalit candidate from a reserved seat in Uttar Pradesh. Earlier too, the party had nominated former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin in Hyderabad. There may be more such candidates. It seems to be a strategic ‘zero loss’ experiment for the party. Kharge is from southern India but if he becomes a candidate, it could be an opportunity for Congress to attract some media attention in UP. In fact, the seat has also been picked—Barabanki or Etawah. The Congress could raise the slogan of having a Dalit prime minister this time. In 1980, the Janata Party had also entered the electoral battle by fielding Jagjivan Ram as the PM candidate.
Politics of certified halal
The certified halal symbol on food packaging is the subject of political debate these days. The Uttar Pradesh government has imposed a ban on the storage and distribution of products that carry the label. Minister of Rural Development Giriraj Singh got inspired into writing a letter to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, urging him to impose a similar ban in his state. What will happen next remains to be seen. A BJP leader says that only Giriraj Singh is competent enough to wield this issue as a potent weapon, almost like a Brahmastra. He knows how to use it.
Sunak meets Mallya
Recently, Indian businessman and fugitive Vijay Mallya was at an event hosted by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in London. All kinds of discussions are happening around this.
Bharat Agrawal is Executive Director, Dainik Bhaskar Group, and a columnist.
By special arrangement with Dainik Bhaskar. Views are personal.