I AM NEITHER a king nor a kingmaker,” Jyotiraditya Scindia said as he brushed aside the label— kingmaker—used to describe his influence heading into the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections on November 17. The Union civil aviation minister has to ensure the BJP’s victory in the Gwalior-Chambal region, part of the former princely state of Gwalior, and he is giving it his all.
Unlike many of his cabinet colleagues from the state, Scindia is not contesting; however, 18 of the 25 loyalists, who left the Congress with him in 2020, are in the fray. The Gwalior-Chambal region, with 34 seats, is a decisive factor in government formation. In 2013, the BJP won 20 seats here; in 2018, the Congress won 26. An emphatic win would cement Scindia’s influence within his new political family.
THE WEEK caught up with him at a rally in Pohari, more than 80km from Gwalior, on November 3. It was his seventh and last of the day, but he showed no signs of fatigue as he arrived in his Toyota Innova to a rousing welcome by party workers who showered flowers on him. As he took the stage, the power went off. Emergency lights came up and Scindia spoke from a semi-lit stage for 15 minutes before power was restored. He was campaigning for his loyalist Suresh Dhakad, a state minister. During the entire speech, Dhakad just stood there with folded hands.
Denne historien er fra November 19, 2023-utgaven av THE WEEK India.
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Denne historien er fra November 19, 2023-utgaven av THE WEEK India.
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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
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COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
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India is not a controlling big brother
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Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
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MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
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