The political activity in Uttar Pradesh is gearing up as Imran Masood, the Congress MP from Saharanpur, has led a stir in political circles in Uttar Pradesh by stating that an alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) would benefit the Congress more than its current ally Samajwadi Party (SP). Masood’s remarks come amid growing signs of friction between Congress and SP following the Lok Sabha elections. While the Congress has been buoyed by its performance winning six seats in the state and it now appears to be recalibrating its alliance priorities. political observers believe that the increasing gap between Congress and SP could open a window of opportunity for the BSP. However, forging such an alliance may not be easy. As Congress and SP continue to exchange barbs and statements like Masood’s may be more about exerting pressure on the SP to negotiate a better share for Congress in the alliance in future elections.
BJP LEADERSHIP ASKS STATE UNITS TO OBSERVE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF MODI’S THIRD TERM ON JUNE 9
The BJP has planned an ambitious nationwide outreach campaign titled ‘11 Years of Modi Government – Sankalp Se Siddhi’ to commemorate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s completion of 11 years in office. The campaign aims at celebrating key governance milestones and projecting the vision of Viksit Bharat. While the BJP completed 11 years in power at the Centre on May 26, the party will celebrate the first anniversary of the PM Modi-led government’s third term on June 9. The initiative will also highlight the recent success of Operation Sindoor. On the other hand, BJP national president and Union health minister JP Nadda has instructed the formation of state-level committees by May 29 and district teams by June 3, to spread awareness about the achievements of the government and to ensure enrolment in the central schemes.
BJP MAY GO SOLO IN CONTESTING MUNICIPAL POLLS IN MUMBAI, THANE AND PUNE
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has set the ball rolling for Mahayuti-NDA’s preparations for the forthcoming local bodies elections in Maharashtra even as the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi partners are keeping their cards close to their chest on alliance formulae. The buzz is that BJP is now looking for the option of contesting independently in key urban centres—Mumbai, Thane and Pune. This shift follows internal resistance from alliance partners Shiv Sena (led by Eknath Shinde) and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), both have been demanding a decent share of seats in their respective strongholds. During his three-day visit to the state, Shah met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis personally as well as jointly with his two deputies to decide on the future line of action. The local body elections are the right platform and moment to expand the party’s footprint and strengthen its network. Going solo in local body elections will serve as a dress rehearsal and help the BJP prepare for the 2029 assembly elections on its own.
SUPER STAR KAMAL HAASAN IS SURE TO ENTER RAJYA SABHA WITH DMK SUPPORT
71-year-old Kamal Haasan will be the third big star to enter the Upper House from Tamil Nadu since the late Shivaji Ganesan was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the early 1980s, followed by J. Jayalalithaa elected as the AIADMK candidate in 1984 when her mentor M.G. Ramachandran — MGR for the masses was chief minister. DMK president and chief minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday announced his party’s support to the MNM in the Rajya Sabha polls, pointing to the understanding reached with Haasan during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections when the MNM was part of the DMK-led mega alliance. The DMK and its allies, including the Congress, the two main Left parties and the Dalit party VCK led by Thol Thirumavalavan, command a majority of 158 MLAs in the 234-member Assembly, which should help the DMK easily win four of the six Rajya Sabha seats falling vacant. The principal Opposition AIADMK, with 66 MLAs, will pitch in for the two remaining seats, with the BJP renewing its ties with the party. At least 34 votes are needed to elect one member to the Rajya Sabha from the state.
DELHI’S BJP CHIEF MINISTER REKHA GUPTA COMPLETES HER 100 DAYS IN OFFICE
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has not yet been allotted official accommodation, despite completing 100 days in office. While Rekha Gupta’s predecessor, Atishi, lived in the AB-17, Mathura Road bungalow near the Supreme Court during her short stint, AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal was allotted a sprawling house located at 6, Flagstaff Road in Civil Lines area. Now Rekha Gupta is currently searching for a suitable government accommodation for herself. She visited the British-era bungalow, located at 2 North End Road, on May 22. The sprawling building has been allotted to the principal district and sessions judge, Tis Hazari Court, and at present it is undergoing renovation. Meanwhile, the CM who has now completed 100 days in office has taken a hands-on approach. The BJP aims to showcase her as a visible CM in contrast to a PR-driven CM office. She has made unannounced visits to government run schools to address water shortage, inspected streets to ensure potholes are filled, visited LNJP Hospital to guarantee immediate patient care and ICU admissions and overseen the cleaning of the Yamuna River. (IPA Service)
