What state polls say about our democracy
Hindustan Times|November 25, 2024
The Maharashtra performance will add to the confidence of BJP and NDA and make INDIA bloc insecure about winning elections
Shashi Shekhar
What state polls say about our democracy

The other day, the duo met at a 'power dinner' in New Delhi. Both gentlemen have graced the Union Cabinet of ministers as members of opposing coalitions. They fielded identical questions: What would be the outcome of the Maharashtra polls? I humbly fielded a counter question: Please enlighten me, as both of you are the quintessential political insiders.

The member of the ruling dispensation asserted that his coalition would return to power, insisting that he was convinced that Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi possesses a siddhi (magic wand) that helps him wriggle out of the tightest of situations. This election will be another testimony to that "magic".

The opposition leader, on the other hand, threw up his hands in exasperation and said: "I have given up election forecasts after the Haryana results. I don't know what 'secret sauce' the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) uses to cast a spell on the electorate in the last few days of the campaign and all our calculations go for a toss." Incidentally, he had returned from Mumbai the same day after attending a marathon election campaign review. Pay attention to the words of the two veterans-siddhi and secret sauce. What does it mean?

The member of the ruling coalition wasn't talking about PM Modi's special spiritual powers, instead, he was referring to his brilliant political skills and uncanny ability to read people's minds. That's the reason the BJP workers believe even if the party's seats diminish in any election, it will more than make up in the next.

Bu hikaye Hindustan Times dergisinin November 25, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Hindustan Times dergisinin November 25, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

HINDUSTAN TIMES DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
B'desh court refuses to ban Iskcon; Free priest: Hasina
Hindustan Times

B'desh court refuses to ban Iskcon; Free priest: Hasina

The Bangladesh high court on Thursday rejected a petition seeking a ban on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon), even as deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina demanded the immediate release of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was arrested on sedition charges earlier this week.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 29, 2024
Mahayuti leaders meet Shah to seal power pact
Hindustan Times

Mahayuti leaders meet Shah to seal power pact

Top leaders of the Mahayuti flew into Delhi on Thursday night for a high-profile meeting at Union home minister Amit Shah's residence to hammer out the formula for determining the next chief minister of Maharashtra as the stage for government formation shifted to the national capital.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 29, 2024
Soren takes oath as J'khand CM with INDIA leaders in audience
Hindustan Times

Soren takes oath as J'khand CM with INDIA leaders in audience

Hemant Soren took oath as the 14th chief minister of Jharkhand on Thursday in a grand ceremony attended by top INDIA bloc leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi, days after his JMM-led alliance swept the state assembly elections. He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Santhosh Kumar Gangwar.

time-read
1 min  |
November 29, 2024
Blast' in Prashant Vihar triggers scare
Hindustan Times

Blast' in Prashant Vihar triggers scare

A low-intensity explosion near a public park in northwest Delhi's Prashant Vihar on Thursday injured a 25-year-old man and triggered a security scare, less than a kilometre from the site of a similar blast reported last month, police officers said.

time-read
1 min  |
November 29, 2024
Hindustan Times

LOK SABHA ADOPTS MOTION TO EXTEND WAQF PANEL TERM TO NEXT SESSION

The Lok Sabha on Thursday extended the term of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) scrutinising the controversial amendments to the Waqf Act till the last day of the budget session in 2025, in a temporary reprieve for the Opposition parties that wanted more parleys.

time-read
1 min  |
November 29, 2024
Biren Singh a liability for party, state, people
Hindustan Times

Biren Singh a liability for party, state, people

Manipur's chief minister N Biren Singh is a liability for the state, its people and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and even President's Rule is preferable compared to his administration, Mizoram CM Lalduhoma said on Thursday, hitting out at his embattled neighbour over violence that has raged for 18 months now.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 29, 2024
Collegium picks Delhi HC chief for top court
Hindustan Times

Collegium picks Delhi HC chief for top court

The Supreme Court collegium on Thursday recommended the elevation of Delhi high court chief justice Manmohan to the apex court.

time-read
1 min  |
November 29, 2024
2.5mn Indians died from rising air pollution
Hindustan Times

2.5mn Indians died from rising air pollution

At least 2.5 million people in India have died on account of health issues arising from air pollution caused by so-called landscape fires (such as those caused by the burning of farm stubble) between 2000 and 2019, according to a study published by Lancet on Wednesday.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 28, 2024
Put A Period To The Silent Suffering
Hindustan Times

Put A Period To The Silent Suffering

As Neha Bhasin's struggle with premenstrual dysphoric disorder has sparked a discussion, let's dive deep into this medical disorder

time-read
2 dak  |
November 28, 2024
Keerthy Suresh confirms relationship with Antony Thattil
Hindustan Times

Keerthy Suresh confirms relationship with Antony Thattil

Actor Keerthy Suresh, who is all set to make her Bollywood debut with Baby John co-starring Varun Dhawan, recently shared her first-ever picture with long-time boyfriend, businessman Antony Thattil, on Instagram.

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2024