The political scenario of Maharashtra is experiencing an interesting development as senior NCP and OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal makes yet another comeback, returning to the Maharashtra Cabinet, as the Mahayuti government seeks in him a strong OBC face, as a replacement for Dhananjay Munde, to consolidate its OBC vote bank across the state ahead of local body polls. According to sources, despite some reluctance from NCP’s top leadership, Fadnavis looks forward for Bhujbal’s induction into the cabinet. A heavyweight in Maharashtra politics, Bhujbal belongs to the OBC Mali community and has long been an influential advocate for OBC rights and representation. Bhujbal, 77, was food and civil supplies minister in the previous Mahayuti cabinet led by Eknath Shinde. When the Fadnavis government assumed office late last year, NCP president and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar was reportedly keen on promoting his aide Dhananjay Munde. Bhujbal was sidelined and Munde was given charge of food and civil supplies. The induction of Bhujbal means the NCP retains its quota of ministers in the coalition, as well as placates the leader who had been upset over being denied a post in the Mahayuti government. Munde has stepped down recently amid growing pressure over the alleged involvement of his aide in a murder case. Now Bhujbal leadership to mobilise voters and navigate Maharashtra’s caste dynamics keeps his importance relevant despite controversies.
CPI(M), CM VIJAYAN WORK TOWARDS ELECTORAL WIN IN KERALA 2026 POLLS
The CPI(M) and chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, are nursing the dream of a third consecutive term in power in Kerala next year. The CPI(M)-led LDF has been gearing up for the high stakes battle with the opposition Congress-led UDF. However, Vijayan has been visiting all 14 districts of the state emphasizing his government’s various schemes and initiatives. Vijayan, by winning his second term in 2021, altered Kerala’s electoral tradition of oscillation between the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF).The LDF overcame anti-incumbency and won a landslide majority of 99 seats in the 140-member legislative assembly. It was the first time in four decades that the state had voted for back-to-back terms for a ruling alliance. Meanwhile, the CPI(M) has flagged the development issue as its key plank and projecting Vijayan as the leader who delivered many development projects. In the Left’s larger game-plan, though, the challenge is to stop the BJP’s electoral expansion. And for the Congress, 2026 will be a desperate battle to break the Vijayan-led LDF’s stranglehold while keeping its own faction-ridden state unit together.
MERGER RUMOURS KEEP SHARAD PAWAR NCP FROM LOSING MORE LEGISLATORS
Amid speculation over a possibility of merger of Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar factions of the Nationalist Congress Party in Maharashtra, both sides are engaged in a tug-of-war to control the narrative. Meanwhile, distress is growing in Sharad Pawar’s faction as reportedly some MLAs have favoured a merger with Ajit Pawar’s party. It is also speculated that rumours about a merger are being spread by Pawar senior to stop desertions from his faction. Sharad Pawar’s faction has just 10 MLAs in the 288-member Assembly, while it won eight of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state in 2024. Sharad Pawar’s remarks on the merger are seen as a symbol of retreat. However, Sharad Pawar had said that it would be decided by Supriya Sule, his daughter and working president of his faction, and Ajit Pawar. While Supriya Sule dismissed any such move towards a merger, but the talk in political circles is that Sharad Pawar needs the merger amid growing apprehensions that the NCP would suffer erosion, sooner than later, with the BJP, which has mastered the art of breaking parties, waiting in the wings. Now all eyes are on Sharad Pawar, whose next move could reshape the NCP’s future and alter the state’s political equations. While the party is keeping its cards close, focusing on unity and strategy as it prepares for the challenges ahead.
MAYAWATI APPOINTS NEPHEW AKASH ANAND AS BSP CHIEF NATIONAL COORDINATOR
In a significant move, the Bahujan Samaj Party’s (BSP) national president Mayawati appointed her nephew Akash Anand as the party’s Chief National Coordinator. As part of the organisational overhaul, Mayawati has instructed the formation of teams by dividing the country into three zones, each led by a National Coordinator. These three zonal coordinators will report directly to Akash Anand, who has been entrusted with overall responsibility for streamlining party activities and coordination across India. The party also announced it would contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly election alone. Some within the BSP view this as Mayawati’s quiet U-turn and Anand as her unannounced heir apparent. However, Anand represents a younger face that could help attract Dalit youth, many of whom have been drawn towards emerging leaders like Chandrashekhar Azad. Anand’s return also serves to address factionalism in the BSP while reinforcing Mayawati’s authority. While this may boost the morale of BSP workers and offer them direction, the real challenge lies in rebuilding the BSP’s organisational strength and reconnecting with its core base.
RJD MOCKS CHIRAG PASWAN AS ‘OUTSIDER’, KISHOR JOINS HANDS WITH RIVAL
Bihar is bustling with political activity ahead of the state Assembly polls later this year. A poster near the residence of RJD leader and former CM Rabri Devi in Patna has sparked controversy by proclaiming that former deputy CM Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, is the “real (shudhdesi) Bihari”, while branding LJP(RV) chief and Union minister Chirag Paswan as an “outsider”. The poster, put up by a woman RJD functionary, also mocked CM Nitish Kumar and his deputy Samrat Choudhary, depicting them placing a crown on Chirag’s head. The caption read: “Mungerilal ke haseen sapne” (Mungerilal’s pleasant dreams). On the other hand, former Union Minister Ramchandra Prasad Singh, popularly known as RCP Singh, has joined hands with his long-time detractor Prashant Kishor. Singh merged his Aap Sabki Awaaz Party (ASAP) with Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party (JSP). The merger means that political foes are turning into friends. RCP Singh and Kishor were known to be fierce rivals during their stints in the Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United). However, the two leaders showered praise on each other. (IPA Service)
Digital Activities Impacting Children’s Well Being 