The Kerala Assembly has unanimously passed a second resolution requesting the Centre to officially change the state’s name to ‘Keralam.’ This comes after a similar resolution was passed last year but returned by the Centre for corrections. The resolution will now be sent back to the central government for approval.
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) suffered a devastating loss in the recent Odisha elections, losing both the Assembly and all Lok Sabha seats. This article analyzes the multiple factors contributing to the BJD’s downfall, including bureaucratic hubris, organizational failures, ideological inconsistency, and the party’s strategic missteps.
This article analyzes the political fortunes of regional parties that have aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the last three decades. It argues that the BJP has consistently benefited from these alliances while regional parties have suffered losses, highlighting a pattern of one-way political gain for the BJP. The article examines specific examples such as the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab, and Asom Gana Parishad in Assam, showcasing how the BJP has consolidated its power while weakening its allies. The article concludes by questioning the future of regional parties like the JD(U) and TDP, considering their history of alliance with the BJP.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assigned portfolios to his 71-member council of ministers, retaining key ministers in their previous prominent roles. Amit Shah remains Home Minister, Rajnath Singh Defense Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman Finance Minister, and S. Jaishankar External Affairs Minister. Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will lead the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministries, while BJP President J.P. Nadda returns to head the Health Ministry. Other notable changes include Mansukh Mandaviya overseeing Labour and Employment, Youth Affairs, and Sports, while Pralhad Joshi will handle Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy. Jyotiraditya Scindia takes charge of Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third-term cabinet has inducted seven women ministers, including two cabinet-level positions. Notable additions include former Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Apna Dal MP Anupriya Patel. Six women ministers from the previous cabinet were not reappointed. This marks a slight decrease in the number of women lawmakers in the Lok Sabha, with 74 securing seats in this election compared to 78 in 2019. The expanded cabinet also includes 12 members from the Upper House and 58 newly-elected MPs from the Lok Sabha.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken oath for a third consecutive term, with key leaders like Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh inducted into the cabinet. Several new faces have also joined the Modi 3.0 government, while some ministers from the previous cabinet have been dropped.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Anurag Thakur, who was dropped from the Narendra Modi-led 3.0 government, extended his congratulations to the newly appointed ministers. Thakur, who held the portfolio of Information and Broadcasting in the previous government, lost his place in the Cabinet but expressed his support for the new team. He said that he has no regrets about not being part of the Cabinet and thanked Prime Minister Modi for the opportunity to serve in his previous role.
Sudama Prasad, a 63-year-old social activist and Communist Party of India-Marxist Leninist (CPI-ML) leader, has been elected to the Lok Sabha, becoming the first CPI-ML MP in 35 years. Hailing from a humble background, Prasad has spent decades fighting for the rights of Dalits, landless poor, and farmers in Bihar’s Bhojpur district. He defeated the incumbent BJP MP, R.K. Singh, by a margin of almost 60,000 votes. Prasad’s victory marks a significant milestone for the Left Front alliance in Bihar, which won two of the five seats allocated to it. Prasad’s journey from a small-town sweet shop owner to a Member of Parliament is a testament to his unwavering commitment to social change and the empowerment of marginalized communities.
Narendra Modi has surpassed Manmohan Singh as the third-longest serving prime minister of India, having held office for over eight years. He is also the country’s longest-serving non-Congress Prime Minister. Modi’s tenure has been marked by economic reforms, social welfare initiatives, and a focus on national security. He is expected to lead the Bharatiya Janata Party to victory in the upcoming 2024 general elections, securing a third term in office.
Tejashwi Yadav, leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, criticizing the latter’s recent ‘mujra’ remark and accusing him of making baseless and false claims during the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. Yadav asserted that Modi’s language as the Prime Minister should be more dignified and questioned the use of such derogatory terms. He also raised concerns about the Prime Minister’s alleged anti-Dalit mentality, citing the lack of support for caste-based reservations and the attempt to end reservations in the private sector.
