This is Omar's 2nd stint as CM. Congress opts to stay out of govt after poor show at polls. J&K Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra says party unhappy J&K’s statehood not yet restored.
In UP & Himachal, International media notes, it's now mandatory for restaurants to publicly display names of owners & employees, a move seen as an attack on Muslim workers & establishments.
While the NC will form govt in Jammu and Kashmir, it is the BJP that has claimed the largest share of the electorate pie. It got 25.5% of total votes—more than any other party.
Results of Haryana elections also got international attention, contrasting with Kashmir, particularly highlighting wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s victory over BJP on a Congress ticket.
Factors like greater dominance of regional parties in Maharashtra, and absence of direct caste consolidation, compounded by caste pressures from multiple groups, will play a crucial role.
The BJP is flush with resources. And it will stop at nothing to win. The Congress must recognise the challenge it faces and realise only the INDIA alliance can take this on.
A leader's charisma is a big plus. But don't underestimate the craft of mounting an election campaign. Haryana is BJP's reward for mastering it. All-round participation and peaceful polling in J&K too is a win.
28 former militants and separatists, including 10 candidates backed by Jamaat-e-Islami and others by Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), bit the dust as J&K chose to vote for mainstream parties.
Ottawa is stepping up its courtship of the region. The campaign was readily apparent in Singapore last week with a conference devoted to stronger ties with Southeast Asia.
On bilateral ties, Admiral Paparo said India-US ties have an exponential effect on deterrence, because it demonstrates a unity of purpose among us to maintain the peace.
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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