TRIDIB RAMAN
Last week, an unusual incident took place in New Delhi when the US Embassy in India invited the country’s leading farmer leaders for tea. This claim comes from highly reliable sources. It’s worth noting that the farmers’ protests against the new agricultural laws are ongoing, with farmers firmly entrenched at Delhi’s Shambhu border, continuing their fight against the central government’s proposed agrarian policies. Although mainstream media has largely ignored the farmers’ protests, their impact on the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections could be significant. According to sources, during the tea meeting at the US Embassy, the farmer leaders openly expressed their frustrations, discussing issues ranging from MSP (Minimum Support Price) to loan waivers.
It is said that immediately after this, the Indian Foreign Ministry came into action and wanted to know from the US Embassy officials that ‘how can their agenda of meeting the farmer leaders of India strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries?’ The US Embassy reportedly responded quickly, explaining that it was merely a courtesy meeting. Since a large part of India’s economy is connected to agriculture-based industries, the US is interested in increasing its stake in this sector. Companies like Cargill, which focus on agriculture-related products and have billion-dollar businesses, are looking to expand their investments in India’s agricultural sector. The embassy was exploring the potential of this roadmap. With this explanation, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs had no choice but to remain silent on the matter.
Why Didn’t Blinken Come to India?
India had long awaited the visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, but when the time came, Blinken opted out of the trip to India. Instead, the US delegation on a five-day visit to India was led by Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Richard R. Verma. This US delegation included not only senior American officials but also renowned experts from the climate, energy, and aerospace sectors. Although India had made every effort to have the delegation led by Antony Blinken, especially when the issue of Bangladesh was heating up, India wanted to present its stance strongly before Blinken. When Blinken did not come, the central government considered holding an all-party meeting with Richard Verma. However, the government found little interest from most political parties regarding this meeting, and so the plan was eventually shelved.
How Did Ram Madhav Make His Comeback?
After a long exile of four years, Ram Madhav has made his return to the saffron fold. It’s worth recalling that in 2020, Ram Madhav was removed from his position as the General Secretary of BJP and was also relieved from managing Prime Minister Modi’s foreign tours. Sources say that RSS was determined to bring Ram Madhav back because he is considered an expert in Jammu and Kashmir affairs. With the first assembly elections taking place in Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370, these elections have become a matter of prestige for BJP. Although the new delimitation has increased the number of seats in Jammu from 37 to 43 and changed the valley’s seats to 47, RSS has openly come out in support of BJP. In this scenario, Ram Madhav could be their trump card. Remember, it was Ram Madhav who orchestrated BJP’s alliance with Mehbooba Mufti’s party, PDP, in 2015. Sources reveal that Ram Madhav has also claimed before the BJP leadership that he will bring at least 10 independent and smaller party MLAs from the Valley into the BJP fold. He intends to make inroads even in Ladakh, firmly supporting the BJP’s cause. With BJP already in a strong position in Jammu’s 43 seats, if Ram Madhav can make a play in Kashmir, who can stop BJP from forming the next government in Jammu and Kashmir?
Why Does Azad Want to Be Ghulam Again?
After leaving his old home and accusing his former leaders of numerous wrongdoings, Ghulam Nabi Azad is now eager to return to Congress. Given his old friendship with the current Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Azad recently met Kharge at his Delhi residence, willing to forget the past. During their lengthy conversation, Azad expressed his desire to return to his old home, Congress, and even offered to merge his Democratic Progressive Azad Party with Congress. Reportedly, Kharge immediately discussed Azad’s return with Sonia Gandhi and convinced her to agree. However, when the matter reached Rahul Gandhi, he flatly refused, stating that while the doors of Congress are open to any leader from Azad’s party, Azad himself is not welcome. Rahul’s stance stems from the personal attacks Azad made against Congress and the Gandhi family when he left, making it difficult to forgive and forget. As a result, there is unrest in Azad’s party, but Azad himself is stuck in limbo.
Where Will PDP Go?
Regarding the Jammu and Kashmir elections, Rahul Gandhi has made it clear that the INDIA bloc’s agenda is for Congress, National Conference (NC), and CPM to contest together. However, Sonia Gandhi is still trying to convince Rahul that the alliance should also include Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP because of its significant influence in Kashmir. As for the National Conference, its leader and party vice-president Omar Abdullah recently lost the Lok Sabha election from Baramulla to Engineer Rashid. Rashid’s newly formed ‘Awami Ittihad Party’ has a notable impact in North Kashmir and other parts of the valley. Meanwhile, the radical ‘Jamaat-e-Islami’ is also ready to participate in the election, which is a warning sign for the National Conference. Rahul Gandhi’s close friendship with Omar Abdullah influenced his decision to go with the National Conference. Sonia argues that when PDP and Congress were allied, Congress had a chance to grow in Jammu and Kashmir, something that isn’t true with the National Conference. Due to Sonia’s insistence, it seems that Congress has kept its doors open for Mehbooba Mufti. However, BJP is also courting Mehbooba, so it will be interesting to see which way she leans.
Could Nishad Switch Sides?
The political landscape in Uttar Pradesh is rapidly shifting. Sensing the winds of change, smaller players are already making moves to switch sides. A close source linked to Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Singh Yadav reveals that recently, none other than Sanjay Nishad, a minister in the Yogi government, visited Shivpal at his farmhouse. During the meeting, Nishad reminded Shivpal of their old ties and requested him to facilitate a conversation with Akhilesh Yadav. Shivpal immediately called Akhilesh, and sources say Akhilesh candidly told Sanjay, “We gave your son an MP ticket, fulfilled all your demands, yet you left us for BJP, while we Samajwadis are still fighting for your principles.” Sanjay Nishad listened quietly, then asked, “If I return now, how will I be adjusted?” Akhilesh responded, “Think it over carefully, but make your decision quickly. If you come at the last minute, I might not be able to accommodate you.” This indicates that Akhilesh is beginning to trust the momentum of his political journey once again.
Naidu’s Never Ending Wishlist
The wish list of TDP Chief and Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu seems to be never-ending. Recently, Naidu arrived in Delhi with his new and old demands. During his meeting with the Prime Minister, Naidu reportedly requested immediate funds for the Polavaram irrigation project and the swift development of the state’s capital, Amaravati. Sources reveal that Naidu also met with Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman, and C.R. Patil to discuss various stalled projects in his state. It is said that the top leadership of the government tried their best to explain to Naidu that the central government has limited resources and must also consider other states, especially those facing upcoming elections, like Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Bihar. After all, Andhra Pradesh’s elections are still five years away.
