WITH LOSSES IN THE RECENT state elections, the BJP’s dream of securing a majority in the Rajya Sabha has been pushed back. It is unlikely to be fulfilled during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s current term. To build on its current tally of 93 seats in the 245-member house, the BJP would have to perform exceedingly well in next year’s Uttar Pradesh elections. This explains why the party’s focus has already shifted to the politically significant state.
The BJP was hoping that a win in Bengal would offset the losses in the upper house likely to happen because of its subpar performance in the 2018 Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh elections. However, the Trinamool won 213 of 294 constituencies, which means it would retain most of its seats in the upper house. The tenure of 77 Rajya Sabha members will end in 2022.
The BJP’s worries are manifold. The recent results have thrown up organisational challenges because of the strong cadre support for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee; imports from the Trinamool were of little help. Before the BJP’s rise, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh had laid the foundation for the saffron party to emerge as the main opposition in Bengal. The RSS is now eager to grow that base as the massive mandate for Mamata, where Muslims consolidated behind her, also destroyed the Congress-Left front.
Denne historien er fra June 06, 2021-utgaven av THE WEEK.
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Denne historien er fra June 06, 2021-utgaven av THE WEEK.
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A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock
