Tridib Raman
On the occasion of Gudi Padwa today, an important meeting has been convened between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat at the RSS headquarters in Nagpur. Post this meeting, several long-pending decisions are expected to be finalized. Key among them is the appointment of BJP’s new president. Sangh has already proposed two names for the post: Yogi Adityanath and Shivraj Singh Chouhan. However, BJP’s top leadership is pushing for Manohar Lal Khattar’s name. Since Khattar is a former RSS pracharak, the Sangh may find it difficult to oppose his candidacy—a fact Modi is well aware of. Another long standing issue is the RSS’s dissatisfaction with BJP’s General Secretary (Organization) B.L. Santhosh’s functioning. Efforts to find his replacement have been ongoing for a while. Sangh wants the BJP to “adjust” Santhosh within the party. Earlier, there was talk of sending him to Bengaluru as Karnataka’s BJP chief, but there is significant discontent in the state unit over his potential appointment. If sending him to Karnataka falls through, he may instead be appointed as BJP’s National Vice President. This urgency necessitates a quick decision on a new General Secretary (Organization). Sources indicate that the RSS leadership is also questioning the working style of Arun Kumar, the joint general secretary (Sah Sarkaryavah) responsible for coordinating with the BJP. They feel Kumar fails to assert the RSS’s stance firmly before Modi and Amit Shah, often appearing to “surrender.” The RSS leadership wants Kumar to emulate the straightforward approach of Madandas Devi, a senior RSS pracharak and former joint general secretary who passed away in 2023. Devi was known for candidly communicating the Sangh’s sentiments to BJP leadership and is still regarded as one of the organization’s best strategists.
Rahul Gandhi Focuses on Congress’s Seva Dal
Tridib Raman
Preparations are in full swing for the Congress plenary session scheduled for 8-9 April in Gujarat, where Rahul Gandhi is actively shaping the party’s future roadmap. Recently, a 45-member delegation led by Amethi MP Kishori Lal Sharma met Rahul. The delegation largely comprised veteran “coordinators” from the Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi eras. Historically, the Seva Dal has been seen as a key platform for cadre-building. Bowing to pressure from old loyalists of the Gandhi family, Rahul has agreed to return to a “back to basics” approach. Rahul Gandhi assured the delegation that the Seva Dal will be revitalized, with immediate steps to train party cadres and rebuild the organization down to the booth level. The Congress has declared 2025 as the “Year of Organizational Rebuilding.” In Bihar, Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru and newly appointed state president Rajesh Ram have already been tasked by Rahul to revive the party’s grassroots presence.
Priyanka Gandhi Sets Sights on Uttar Pradesh
Tridib Raman
The Congress is now focusing intensely on Hindi-speaking states, and as part of this strategy, Priyanka Gandhi recently held a lengthy discussion with SP supremo Akhilesh Yadav. Priyanka made it clear that the Congress is taking the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections extremely seriously. She proposed establishing a political alliance between the Congress and SP well in advance of the polls. Sources say Priyanka told Akhilesh, “Our party has already started finalizing district presidents for UP’s various constituencies. Similarly, we will begin selecting candidates for Assembly seats now. But we need clarity on which seats the SP is willing to leave for us.” During the conversation, Priyanka hinted that the Congress aims to contest at least 100 Assembly seats in UP. Akhilesh reportedly listened carefully and responded, “My advice is that the Congress should only contest seats where it has a strong chance of winning. If you claim too many seats and lose, it will harm me the most. Focus on 40-50 winnable seats, finalize a list of candidates, and share it with me for feedback.” Priyanka assured Akhilesh that she would finalize the seats by April and begin scouting for suitable candidates.
What will happen to Justice Varma?
Tridib Raman
For the past fortnight, this question has been causing a storm in Lutyens’ Delhi: who holds the truth in the Justice Yashwant Varma case? Is it the narrative that has been unfolding since the night of March 14, or is it, as Justice Varma claims, a conspiracy against him? But on whose orders? And why? The initial statements from the fire brigade team, the shocking revelations by Delhi Police, and even the Supreme Court-appointed inquiry committee have all faced a maze of unresolved questions. Regarding the number of half-burnt notes, opinions vary wildly—some claim it’s ₹15 crore, others say ₹50 crore. The truth remains hidden, waiting for the right moment to emerge. Although the Supreme Court Collegium has transferred Justice Varma to the Allahabad High Court, the question arises: what will ultimately happen to him? His retirement is set for 2031, but if he is found guilty in the investigation, what consequences will he face? Justice Varma himself asserts that the cash isn’t his—so who does it belong to? Another question being raised is why, on the night of March 14, sacks of cash in Justice Varma’s storeroom caught fire, prompting fire brigade vehicles to rush to the scene. Delhi Police also arrived, but why wasn’t the crime scene sealed immediately? Eyewitnesses claim that on the morning of March 15, a woman arrived with several vehicles and removed all the debris from the storeroom. To investigate this allegation, the CCTV footage from the site must be examined to identify this woman and determine who instructed her to tamper with the evidence. A significant question also arises: why did the police take 12 days to seal the storeroom? And even then, was there any evidence left to seal? These are pressing questions that must be asked in a vibrant democracy.
Kejriwal to Visit Singapore
Tridib Raman
After losing the Delhi elections to the BJP, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal has some free time these days. He has received invitations to deliver lectures at Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and Kuala Lumpur University, both of which he has accepted. Kejriwal has now begun preparing for his visits to Singapore and Malaysia. However, his close associate, Gopal Rai, questioned his decision to leave so soon after the BJP formed its government in Delhi recently, asking why he would “give this government a free hand” by departing for a foreign country. Kejriwal explained to Rai, “The people of Delhi will grow disillusioned with the BJP in 2–3 years. Until then, we should adopt a ‘wait and watch’ strategy. Making noise now won’t help. Atishi is more than capable of addressing day-to-day issues and countering the BJP effectively. Meanwhile, we must focus on strengthening our cadre in other states.” Amid this, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed concerns about his political survival, warning Kejriwal that if the AAP chief becomes overly active in Punjab, the party’s 35 MLAs might defect to the Congress. This prompted Kejriwal to reaffirm his “wait and watch” approach. Mann is particularly anxious about Kejriwal potentially using Punjab as a route to enter the Rajya Sabha. Kejriwal has now shifted his focus entirely from Delhi to Gujarat, Goa, and Chhattisgarh. He is planning frequent tours of these states, with Gujarat being a top priority. His goal is to ensure AAP’s vote share in Gujarat surpasses that of the Congress.
Bihar Baffled by Nitish’s Bizarre Behaviour
Tridib Raman
Speculation is rife in Bihar over Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s erratic gestures and uncharacteristic antics, with many wondering: What ails his heart, and what could be the cure? Given Nitish’s fragile health, the political atmosphere is heating up regarding the entry of his 49-year-old son, Nishant Kumar, into politics. These days, Nishant has been actively voicing support for his father. For the first time, he was seen actively participating in the Holi Milan ceremony at the Chief Minister’s residence. His face also prominently appeared on posters across Patna, wishing people for Holi and Eid. When JDU leaders inquired whether Nishant would contest in the upcoming Bihar elections from the party, Nitish confidently responded, “Nishant will be made the party’s working president, and the elections will be contested by my grandson, Adhiraj.” This statement left everyone stunned—who is Adhiraj? After all, Nitish’s only son, Nishant, is still unmarried. Sources suggest that Nitish has already found a bride for his son. Once Kharmaas (an inauspicious period in the Hindu calendar) ends on April 9, Nishant’s wedding will be held in a simple ceremony in New Delhi.
Rahul Gandhi’s Crucial Meeting with Omar Abdullah
Recently, an important meeting took place between Rahul Gandhi and Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. It is said that during this meeting, Rahul urged Omar to induct two Congress MLAs into the cabinet and appoint one as Deputy Speaker, as the BJP has been eyeing these Congress legislators for potential defection. Omar responded that he cannot expand his cabinet at present but assured Rahul that he would ensure the Congress MLAs are kept satisfied and prevent them from switching sides.
