Tridib Raman
As 2024 prepares to bid farewell, the new year, 2025, is ready to arrive with the rhythm of drums and celebrations. However, this new year also brings with it a mix of hope and despair, excitement and apprehension. Prominent astrologers and numerologists have already hinted that “the upcoming year will be marked by major planetary shifts involving Jupiter and Saturn. Saturn will transit from Aquarius to Pisces on March 29, 2025, while Jupiter (also known as Brihaspati) will enter Gemini on May 14, 2025. However, Jupiter will move in an unusually swift retrograde motion from May 14, 2025, to March 18, 2033.” What does this mean? Jupiter symbolizes happiness, prosperity, intellect, and calmness. But if its movement becomes erratic, it can bring severe challenges. For instance, in 2018, Jupiter entered a retrograde phase for five years, after which the world witnessed the devastating COVID-19 pandemic. Astrologers point out that Jupiter’s unusual motion was also observed during the First and Second World Wars. Now, astrologers believe that “the erratic motion of Jupiter in 2025, combined with Rahu’s transit into Aquarius, could lead to an even greater global war catastrophe. The tensions that escalated into the Russia-Ukraine conflict occurred soon after Jupiter’s retrograde in 2018.” Astrologers have also warned that post-2025, the global economy may face significant adverse changes. Political unrest and rebellion against leadership in several countries could emerge. While there may be rapid technological advancements, the world’s climate balance could deteriorate. In summary, the next eight years—from 2025 to 2033—may be marked by intense global turmoil. Numerologists echo similar concerns, stating that “the number for 2025 is 9, associated with Mars. Mars signifies war, violence, bloodshed, and accidents.”
BJP is Crafting New Equations in Maharashtra
Tridib Raman
In Maharashtra, a political drama might unfold once again. Two old friends, who turned foes, could reconcile and join hands. A glimpse of this possibility was seen recently when Ajit Pawar, along with his family, visited his uncle’s residence to wish him a happy birthday. It is believed that the BJP leadership has suggested to Ajit Pawar that “he should reconcile with Sharad Pawar and merge both factions of the NCP.” After all, Prime Minister Modi and Sharad Pawar have maintained their personal rapport over the years. Meanwhile, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh still holds a soft corner for Uddhav Thackeray. The Sangh reportedly desires that “Uddhav should let bygones be bygones and bury his grievances to rejoin hands with the BJP.” This evolving scenario hints at the BJP working behind the scenes to reshape alliances in Maharashtra’s complex political landscape. Uddhav Thackeray is still reeling from the recent Maharashtra Assembly defeat when signs of dissent have started surfacing within his party. Some old leaders of Shiv Sena are not ready to bear the burden of Aditya Thackeray’s liberal politics. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has also maintained his connections with Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray as before. According to sources, the BJP does not want to rely on the crutches of the Telugu Desam Party, as the Modi-led central government is expected to bring some bills in the future, which might be difficult to get Chandrababu Naidu’s support for. Therefore, the BJP leadership has its eyes on 8 MPs from the Sharad Pawar faction and 9 MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray faction, totaling 17, which is still one more than the 16 MPs of the Telugu Desam Party. Meanwhile, Nitish’s JD(U) is a very soft target for the BJP. This is well understood by JD(U) acting president Sanjay Jha, whose connections with the BJP have been established for a long time.
Why is Chhagan Bhujbal on the Path of Rebellion?
Chhagan Bhujbal, a prominent leader from Ajit Pawar’s party, is currently sounding the bugle of rebellion against his party leadership. This time, Ajit has shown Bhujbal the door from the newly formed Maharashtra cabinet, which is troubling this significant OBC leader. Bhujbal is so upset that despite Ajit’s attempts to placate him and offering him a Rajya Sabha seat, he went to Nashik and hinted at fighting his battle on the streets. He revealed this during a meeting of the ‘Mahatma Phule Samata Parishad’ in Nashik. Adding fuel to the fire is Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, who had already told Bhujbal that he was ready to include him in his cabinet, but Ajit Dada did not agree to his name. So, does this mean that the BJP has also opened its doors for Bhujbal, knowing that he is a significant leader among the backward classes in the state? Bhujbal’s political journey, from selling vegetables in Byculla to becoming a prominent leader, is a long list of interesting stories. Whether it was Sharad Pawar, Bal Thackeray, or Sonia Gandhi, he remained equally dear to the top leadership of different parties. He is one of the founding members of Shiv Sena. Bhujbal rejected Ajit Pawar’s Rajya Sabha offer, saying, “First make me a minister in the Maharashtra government for two years, then send me to Rajya Sabha if you wish.” It is said that due to his advancing age, he was not made a minister as he is now 77 years old. He is also facing three corruption cases, which are being investigated by the ACB and ED, but then again, Ajit Pawar is also under ED investigation, but BJP’s ‘washing machine’ is there, right?
Yogi Playing His Own Tune
Tridib Raman
Everyone knows that like Arjuna, Yogi Adityanath’s eyes are fixed on the fish’s eye, so when it comes to image, he doesn’t even listen to himself. The latest example is related to BJP MLA Harish Shakya, who has been booked for gang rape and fraud following a court order. Yogi doesn’t want to give him any respite and wants the law to work impartially. Not only that, after the case was registered against Shakya, Yogi has started scrutinizing his own party’s strong and criminal image MLAs who have criminal cases against them. It is said that Yogi has received files of more than two dozen such MLAs. Sources say that after his investigation, Yogi might put a ‘red mark’ on these files, meaning these strongmen’s tickets are likely to be cut in the upcoming 2027 assembly elections if Yogi has his way in ticket distribution in Uttar Pradesh. Yogi wants MLAs who win under his leadership to have a clean image.
Questions Raised on Parliament’s Security
Although the winter session of Parliament ended amidst much uproar, it left behind many unanswered questions. Especially, the chaos and scuffles between the ruling party and the opposition over Dr. Ambedkar’s issue have raised questions about the security of Parliament itself. Questions are also being raised as to why the footage from the cameras installed at the main gate of Parliament has not been made public yet. Interestingly, Pratap Sarangi, the BJP MP from Odisha, who has accused the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, of pushing him, is changing his statements while being treated in the hospital, and the number of his bandages is also increasing. Is this some kind of injury or politics under the guise of injury? It should be noted that this is the same Sarangi whose alleged disciple Dara Singh committed the heinous act of burning the Staines family alive in Odisha in 1999. At that time, Sarangi was the president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in Odisha, and after the incident, Sarangi had given a statement to the police that he did not know Dara Singh, just as the RSS does not know Godse.
Jogi Family Ready to Return to Congress
The Ajit Jogi family, which has so far had a strained relationship with Congress in Chhattisgarh, is now ready to return home. Renu Jogi, the wife of former Chhattisgarh CM Ajit Jogi, is now ready to merge her regional party JCCJ with Congress. In fact, Renu Jogi’s displeasure was primarily with two Congress leaders from Chhattisgarh, former state CM Bhupesh Baghel and his deputy CM TS Singhdeo. State party leaders and workers are also upset with Bhupesh Baghel, and he is also grappling with several legal cases, so the party has sidelined him a bit these days. Sensing the opportunity, Chhattisgarh Congress chief Deepak Baij directly connected Renu Jogi with Sonia Gandhi, and in the course of their conversation, Renu agreed to merge her party with Congress. It should be noted that Ajit Jogi had a good influence among the tribal people of the state, and his wife and son Amit Jogi have been trying to carry forward this legacy.
Congress Set for Major Organisational Overhaul
Preparations for major changes in the Congress organization have begun. In this process, several senior leaders who have been entrenched in Delhi and holding onto their positions might be shown the door. Names like Venugopal and Ajay Maken are being mentioned in this context. It is said that senior party leaders like Kamal Nath and Ashok Gehlot might be given significant responsibilities in the organization. States like Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and UP might get new heads. Ramesh Chennithala is being prepared to be sent to Kerala as the state president. In UP, Kishori Lal Sharma, a trusted aide of the Gandhi family, and in Jharkhand, Khunti MP Kalicharan Munda are being considered.
