By Tridib Raman
It’s no longer a mystery how Atishi Singh, a relatively new face in politics, managed to outsmart senior party leaders and secure the Chief Minister’s post. The party cadre, whose morale had been slipping, needed Arvind Kejriwal to send a strong message — that Atishi’s selection as CM was based on merit and happened democratically. Atishi, who became a Cabinet Minister for the first time in March last year, held key portfolios such as Finance, Education, Energy and Tourism, managing about 14 departments in total. Her exceptional performance, particularly as the Education Minister, impressed both Kejriwal and Sisodia. Both leaders became huge admirers of Atishi’s ability to deliver. That’s why, even though names like Gopal Rai, Ram Niwas Goel, Kailash Gahlot, Saurabh Bharadwaj, and even Sunita Kejriwal were in the running for the CM’s post, Atishi emerged victorious. Sunita Kejriwal herself opted out of consideration. The party now wants to make Sunita Kejriwal a star campaigner for the Haryana elections so that she can become more accustomed to public rallies. Moreover, one of the biggest criticisms from the BJP against Kejriwal has been the grandeur of his CM residence, which the BJP often dubbed as a “Sheesh Mahal”. Kejriwal, wanting to avoid this tag, is eager to move out of his current home. If his wife were to become CM, they would have had to continue living in the same residence, which Kejriwal found unacceptable. Now, Kejriwal plans to live among the people and present himself as one of them. He is likely to revive his old narrative — that he has no attachment to homes, cars, or positions and entered politics solely to serve the people. Sources say Kejriwal is already searching for a new government house that looks like a typical official residence. Reports suggest that a house near Delhi Gate has been finalised, where the current head of a commission resides. AAP has even written to the Centre requesting the immediate allotment of government accommodation for the party’s national convener, Arvind Kejriwal. By making Atishi the CM, Kejriwal also seeks to repair his image, which had taken a hit due to the Swati Maliwal issue, while simultaneously showing the people of Delhi that his party doesn’t just talk about women’s reservation — they’ve actually handed over the reins of Delhi to a woman.
Congress Leaders Turn Kashmir Election into Family Vacation
By Tridib Raman
After the record turnout in the first phase of voting in Jammu and Kashmir, Congress leaders are beaming with joy. They believe that the 80% voter turnout signals that the people of the region are ready to write a new chapter of change. As a result, Congress leaders from across the country are actively participating in the Jammu and Kashmir elections. Some leaders, who have no direct connection with the elections, are also arriving in Kashmir. A similar scene was witnessed recently during a press conference by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, where even journalists struggled to recognize the faces of leaders from Delhi and Madhya Pradesh. Most of these leaders had arrived in Kashmir on the same flight as Kharge, and many had brought their families along, using the opportunity for a family trip. While the party covered the leaders’ travel expenses, the leaders paid for their family members’ tickets. The party had already arranged five-star hotel accommodations for the leaders, and their families stayed there as well. Once the official engagements were over, these leaders set off with their families to explore Kashmir.
CBI Inches Closer to Mamata’s Trusted Aides
The horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor from R.G. Kar Medical College has not only shocked Bengal but also created a storm across the country. The case has now reached two of Mamata Banerjee’s most trusted aides. These two individuals, known as the ‘RoyBahadurs’ in the West Bengal health department, are said to have a tight grip on the state’s entire healthcare system. According to sources, Dr. Sudipto Roy and Sushanta Roy have essentially monopolised Bengal’s health system. One oversees the southern part of the state, while the other looks after the north. The CBI’s suspicion has currently settled on Dr. Sudipto Roy. A doctor by profession, he has wielded significant influence in Bengal politics for the past decade. Once close to Ajit Panja, it was Panja who introduced him to Mamata Banerjee. Eventually, Roy became a key figure in Mamata’s inner circle, even earning a seat as an MLA. He is currently the President of the Medical Council and also chairs the ‘Patient Welfare Committee’ at R.G. Kar Hospital. Meanwhile, the other ‘RoyBahadur’, Dr Sushanta Roy, and his doctor son Soutrik, have been underground since the case escalated. Doctors protesting the incident have been putting up missing posters to locate them.
Is Ajit Pawar Set to Leave Mahayuti?
There’s growing concern about a possible split in Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti alliance (comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP). Although Ajit Pawar recently attended the PM’s rally in Maharashtra, his discontent has not yet subsided. He is reportedly frustrated over the limited number of seats allocated to his party in the coalition and is also upset about his people being sidelined in local corporations, with Shinde filling these positions with his own loyalists. For instance, Ajit pushed for one of his party leaders to become the chairman of CIDCO, but Shinde ignored his recommendations and appointed his party’s MLA Sanjay Shirsat instead. Pawar’s frustration further deepened when Shinde appointed his own party leader Anand Adsul as chairman of the SC-ST Commission, a position Ajit had also wanted for one of his confidants. This led Pawar to skip a crucial Mahayuti meeting on Friday, where discussions on seat-sharing for the upcoming elections were on the agenda. Sources suggest that Maharashtra assembly elections could be announced any time after Dussehra in October, with the Election Commission preparing for polls in November. The responsibility of pacifying Ajit Pawar now lies with Maharashtra BJP in-charge Bhupendra Yadav, as Ajit refused to communicate with Devendra Fadnavis. Pawar is also said to be planning a meeting with Amit Shah in Delhi, alongside NCP leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare. If the talks fail, Ajit Pawar may consider taking a different political path.
Top Industrialists Now Betting on YouTube Channels
Although Sahara Chief Subrata Roy is no longer with us, he once revealed the mantra behind his success: “There is nothing in this world that isn’t for sale; you just need to know the right price.” This leading businessman’s rise was like a comet. But in recent times, controversies have been his constant companion. He knew that even though the name of SEBI chief Madhavi Buch has come up in the recent report by Hindenburg, the target has been set on him. Having already purchased a prominent news channel, he realises that controlling the flow of internal news in today’s social and digital media age is no easy task. So now, he is extending a hand of friendship to popular YouTubers with millions of subscribers who have been targeting his conglomerate. Like a channel that belongs to Sharmaji’s son from the neighbourhood, who was earlier praising Akhilesh Yadav, this channel of his has also become a fan of Adani. Now this channel aired entire programs on insider trading allegations linked to Swiss bank accounts, asserting that “Adani is just an excuse, the real target is India.” That is, to save the image of this top industrialist of the country and to give him a clean chit, there is a competition among the YouTubers as to whose butter is the freshest.
Where is Hasina?
Around a month and a half ago, Sheikh Hasina, after resigning from the position of Prime Minister of Bangladesh, arrived in India on a special flight. In a strategic misstep, the Indian government allowed the Indian media to glorify the matter. It was widely reported and shown that she was staying at the guest house of the Indian Air Force at Hindon Base and shopping for sarees. However, when the government realised its mistake, an unofficial restriction was imposed on news related to Sheikh Hasina.
When Sheikh Hasina escaped from Bangladesh and came to India, she did so with the hope of quickly securing political asylum in London, the U.S., Saudi Arabia, or some European country. But due to the current geopolitical situation, that has not yet been possible. For quite some time now, no one seems to know where exactly Sheikh Hasina has been residing in Delhi. However, a major revelation was made recently by London’s prestigious newspaper Financial Times, which reported on Sheikh Hasina’s residence. The newspaper revealed that Hasina, along with her daughter, has been living in a very posh colony in Central Delhi. She can regularly be seen walking with her daughter, Saima Wazed, in Delhi’s Lodhi Garden. Saima has worked for the World Health Organization (WHO) while being stationed in Delhi, so the city is quite familiar to her.
FM Daughter May Join Politics
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is known for quietly complying with the orders of the high command. Since the BJP is also trying to expand its base in the southern states, it has placed considerable trust in Sitharaman as a minister. It has now been heard that Nirmala Sitharaman’s daughter is also very eager to enter active politics. It’s worth noting that Nirmala’s son-in-law also works in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), which means that her daughter frequently visits 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. The BJP leadership is also aware of her talents, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise if, in the coming days, the Finance Minister’s beloved daughter announces her entry into active politics.
