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.
This story is from the November 19, 2023 edition of THE WEEK India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 19, 2023 edition of THE WEEK India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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