As BJP wrested Chhattisgarh from Congress, what played decisive role was its wins in tribal belt. It's decision to choose 'soft-spoken' leader is also aimed at Lok Sabha polls.
BJP held non-stop agitations which created trust deficit about CM Bhupesh Baghel & people believed Centre’s money for tribals, women & farmers was looted, party state in-charge explains.
Party drew blank in Telangana, MP, Chhattisgarh. It allied with regional Gondwana Gantantra Party in latter two states. Overall, BSP cut into BJP votes on 31 seats, Congress votes on 39.
Congress’s campaigns in MP and Rajasthan were led by Kamal Nath and Ashok Gehlot. In Chhattisgarh, TS Singhdeo lost his own seat by a mere 94 votes, and Congress lost the state too.
The Congress in Chhattisgarh did fail to protect the interests of the minorities, but it’s deceptive to assume that the voter wanted hard Hindutva and rejected soft Hindutva.
BJP retained MP and wrested Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan from Congress. Modi cautioned Opposition against indulging in politics 'that is divisive, weakens, and breaks the nation'.
Congress exuded more confidence than BJP in Chhattisgarh all through campaigning, a sentiment which exit polls appeared to validate with a near-unanimous prediction of Baghel's return to office.
Congress's inability to expand its base while BJP does so, relative absence of Hindutva in campaigns & Congress still being unable to match BJP in direct contest are among key takeaways.
Handout promises, from loan waivers to free power, flooded this assembly election season, with BJP & Congress vying to outdo each other. How they shaped outcomes differed across states.
Contrary to naysayers, the RSS practices what it preaches. It is closer to the Gandhian teaching of improving the individual morally and spiritually to change the external environment.
CM Yogi Adityanath claims that from being called a ‘bimaru’ state, UP is now among the top-3 economies in India. The 2026 Budget session of the UP assembly is currently underway.
This is the game every nation is now learning to play. Some are finding new allies or seeing value among nations where they’d seen marginal interest. The starkest example is India & Europe.
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