Rajput-Patidar rivalry intensifies as historical grievances resurface in wake of Union Minister Rupala’s remarks, threatening BJP’s prospects in traditional stronghold of Saurashtra.
Naresh Patel, 57, is a Leuva Patel who is said to have been Prashant Kishor's choice as Congress' CM face in Gujarat. BJP and AAP also believed to be keen to have him in their fold.
PM Modi is currently in Gujarat to launch various development projects. However, he has also been marking his presence, even if virtually, at several religious and spiritual events in the state.
AAP won 27 seats in Surat Municipal Corporation, mostly in Patidar-dominated areas. But party says everyone, and not just Patidars, gave ‘corruption-free leadership’ a chance.
Rahul Gandhi’s trust in the new leadership of Patidars, OBCs, and Dalits has been successful in creating a generational shift in the electoral competition.
Caste and regional divides will influence elections next month but newer concerns such as the economic slowdown and aspirations for progress will also matter.
The participation of middle powers in platforms such as the G20, ASEAN, AUKUS dialogues, and regional security forums positions them as brokers between competing interests.
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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