Return of Dr 'Reform', that's Namo ::: Strategy did not work on farm sector :: Rahul Gandhis and ecosystem should not stall this :::: Is Bharat ready ??? Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025 :::: Draft Law ends the decades-long Sarkari monopoly on nuclear power

Acronym may be 'SHANTI' ... that's peace !! 

But Moditva is back with a mega reform strategy .....

Global players - Westinghouse, GE-Hitachi, 

France's EDF and Russia's Rosatom have expressed willingness to partner with Indian firms

Conglomerates Tata Power, Adani Power and Reliance Industries have already indicated interest in investing in nuclear energy.... 

.... Rahul Gandhi should be 'observed' keenly .... he may lead the cat out among the pigeons during Germany trip itself. 

He should not be forced to withdraw it as the '56-inch' Narendra Modi gave in to  the pressure (caved in) to 'agri-middlemen' protest in 2021 ??? 

The government tabled the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025 in Lok Sabha.

When passed by both the Houses of Parliament, the Bill will repeal the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 – two laws long viewed by industry players and foreign partners as major roadblocks to investment in nuclear power.

This signals a major overhaul of India's civil nuclear framework. 

The draft law aims to end the decades-long state monopoly on nuclear power and enable private sector participation.

"The Bill seeks to provide for a pragmatic civil liability regime for nuclear damage and to confer statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board," Union Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh said.  

The SHANTI Bill aligns with India's broader goals of 

* increasing the share of nuclear energy in the national energy mix, 

** promoting innovation in nuclear science and technology, 

*** expanding non-power applications, and continuing to meet international obligations on nuclear safety, security and safeguards.

WHAT DOES THE SHANTI BILL PROPOSE?

A key shift proposed under the SHANTI Bill is allowing Indian private companies to apply for licences to build, own, operate and decommission nuclear power plants and reactors 

- activities that have so far been restricted mainly to the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) and joint ventures with other state-run firms.

*** Reform with 'cautioning' and protective measures ::  

Private companies incorporated in India would also be eligible for a range of nuclear-related activities, including fabrication of nuclear fuel, transportation and storage of nuclear and spent fuel....

, and the import or export of prescribed equipment, technology or software.

However, companies incorporated outside India or controlled by foreign entities will not be permitted to hold licences. 

Also, sensitive activities such as fuel enrichment, spent-fuel reprocessing and heavy water production will exclusively remain under government control.

The legislation limits liability for a nuclear incident to plant operators and explicitly exempts equipment suppliers, addressing a key concern that had deterred foreign vendors.

The Bill caps the maximum liability for each nuclear incident at the rupee equivalent of 300 million Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), an IMF-defined reserve asset, in line with international norms.

Operators will be required to maintain insurance or liability funds ranging from about USD 11 million to USD 330 million, depending on reactor size. 

A separate nuclear liability fund will cover excess claims, with the government stepping in if damages exceed the capped limits.

Blogger 

Stringent penalties are provided for violations, 

*** ranging from Rs 5 lakh for minor breaches to up to Rs 1 crore for serious offences. 

All operators – public or private – will need government licences and safety clearances from the AERB.

Foreign-controlled firms will be barred from holding licences.

The Bill is closely tied to India's climate commitments, including the goal of net-zero emissions by 2070 

(blogger will be 100 years old and Modi .... 120 !!) 

.... And a target of achieving 100 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2047, up from about 8.2 GW at present.

To reach this scale, the government has underlined the need to better harness indigenous nuclear resources, 

** enable participation of both public and private sectors, 

*** and position India as a meaningful contributor to the global nuclear energy ecosystem.

Certain exclusions are also specified in the Bill: 

Operators will not be liable for damage to the under-construction nuclear installation itself, other installations on the same site, related property, or the means of transport carrying nuclear material at the time of the incident.

The Bill grants statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), which currently functions under an executive order, strengthening the safety and oversight framework. It also proposes the creation of an Atomic Energy Redressal Advisory Council to resolve disputes.

ends 

Draft Electoral Rolls for West Bengal is out :::: Sickularism knows how to 'sing' ::::: Post-'SIR' in Bihar; BJP win was historic :::: Can Saffron party rescue "aapa land"

Of course when SIR was launched in Bihar; there were many controversies, many legal wranglings and many great speeches on Sickularism and even so-called Votechori. 

"This is just the beginning. Breakfast has just begun. There will be lunch, tea and then dinner," - BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. 

Info ***  

For Yogi Adityanath-ruled Uttar Pradesh; enumeration will continue till December 26th and the draft electoral rolls to be published on December 31.

For Left-ruled Kerala; Enumeration ends on December 18 and draft voter list to be published on December 23.

The Bihar mandate was crystal clear. The carpet underneath the feet of Sickularism and the 'gang' has been shaken. Of course Opposition parties including Congress and Trinamool Congress and populist Mamata Banerjee alleged that many of "those removed were Muslims" or belonged to social groups and communities that do not form the vote bank of the Hindutva forces led by the BJP.

Such claims have been repeatedly denied by the Election Commission and by the government on the floor of Parliament more than once.  

The Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday published West Bengal’s draft electoral rolls after the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), with officials indicating that the names of more than 58 lakh voters have been deleted on grounds such as death, migration and non-submission of enumeration forms.

The draft rolls are expected to contain 7,08,16,631 voters, a reduction of 58,20,898 (over 58 lakh 20 thousands) from the pre-SIR electorate of 7,66,37,529.  

The list of deleted voters has been made available on the commission’s portal at ceowestbengal.wb.gov.in/asd_sir.   

A detailed breakup released by the CEO’s office last week showed that 24,16,852 voters were marked as dead, 

19,88,076 as permanently shifted, and 

12,20,038 as missing or untraceable at their registered addresses. 

Another 1.38 lakh voters were identified as having duplicate entries, while 1,83,328 names were flagged as so-called ‘ghost’ voters. 

More than 57,000 names were deleted due to other complications detected during enumeration.

Nearly 42 lakh voter names deleted in Rajasthan electoral rolls, highest removals from Jaipur. 

The publication of the draft voter lists brings an end to the counting stage and kicks-off the next phase, which will involve submitting claims, raising objections, and holding hearings. This process is expected to continue until February 2026. 

Of course the major controversy related to electoral rolls and the SIR exercise has been in West Bengal.  

The state's ruling Trinamool Congress government, led by chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, has described SIR as a “politically motivated” process to “capture West Bengal by trickery”. 

She also alleged that the “shadow of fear and uncertainty” being created by SIR has led to panic and distress among the people. The TMC tried to spread a panic exercise and work pressure people to commit suicide. 

The Muslims - considered her captive voters after the minority community deserted the communists in 2011 - fear they will lose their citizenship. 

The Chief Minister also wrote to the EC to intervene and halt the process.

In the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, responding to various members during a marathon debate on electoral reforms; Home minister Amit Shah has said the that BJP and the EC's exercise was only aimed at protecting India’s democracy with a policy of “detect, delete and deport”. 

“Can a country’s democracy be safe when the prime minister and chief minister are decided by illegal immigrants?” he asked. 

Essentially, SIR is a routine exercise meant to ensure that deceased, illegitimate and duplicate voters are removed from the voter register. 

Notably, in Bihar, a state with 130 million people, more than 6.5 million people were removed from the voter list. 

But there were no formal complaints.

SIR is an issue by itself.

That's one part of the story; in order to justify his 'repeated' defeats; Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has discovered the phrase Vote Chori.

But even his alliance partner National Conference, which won the polls in Jammu and Kashmir; said it is not party to such campaigns led by Rahul Gandhi and was lately backed even by her sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.  

In Kerala, the Communist party of India (Marxist)-led LDF regime has passed a resolution against SIR, condemning it as a “citizenship survey” by the backdoor. 

In neighbouring Tamil Nadu, the ruling DMK led by M K Stalin has also formally opposed the exercise.  

For Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands: 

Enumeration is continuing till December 18th and draft rolls to be released on December 23.

***  

Soon after the lists were published, the Trinamool Congress accused the BJP and the Election Commission of working together to target voters. 

The party claimed that calling nearly two crore voters for hearings was meant to scare people and raise doubts about their citizenship.

The BJP rejected the charge. Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, ridiculed the accusations.

ends 

PM Modi outlines eight-point vision to enhance India-Jordan relations

 PM Narendra Modi tweets, "I have outlined an eight-point vision to enhance relations with Jordan. This vision includes the following: Commercial and Economic Cooperation; Fertilisers and Agriculture; Information Technology; Healthcare; Infrastructure; Vital and Strategic Minerals; Civil Nuclear Cooperation; People-to-People Relations".

PM Narendra Modi tweets, "I held fruitful discussions with His Majesty King Abdullah II in Amman. His personal commitment to strengthening the distinguished Indian-Jordanian relations is commendable. This year, we celebrate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the establishment of our bilateral diplomatic relations. This historic achievement will inspire us to move forward with renewed energy in the future."

Myanmar's de-facto leader Suu Kyi's son fears that she might have died in prison

Could be dead: Suu Kyi's son says he hasn't heard from jailed ex-leader in years

And while he rejects attempts by Myanmar's junta to hold elections later this month, dismissed by many foreign governments as a sham aimed at legitimising military rule, he says it could provide an opening to ease his mother's plight.

Kim Aris told Reuters he has not heard from his 80-year-old mother in years, and has received only sporadic, secondhand details about her heart, bone and gum problems since a 2021 military coup that deposed her government.

"She's got ongoing health issues. Nobody has seen her in over two years. She hasn't been allowed contact with her legal team, never mind her family," he said in an interview in Tokyo. "For all I know, she could be dead already."

"I imagine (Myanmar junta leader) Min Aung Hlaing has his own agenda when it comes to my mother. If he does want to use her to try and appease the general population before or after the elections by either releasing her or moving her to house arrest, then at least that would be something," he added.  

A Myanmar junta spokesman did not respond to calls seeking comment.

Myanmar's military has a history of releasing prisoners to mark holidays or important events.

Nobel Peace Laureate Suu Kyi was freed in 2010 days after an election, ending a previous long period of detention largely spent at her colonial-style family home on Yangon's Inya Lake.

She went on to become Myanmar's de-facto leader after elections in 2015, the first openly contested vote in a quarter-century, though her international image was later tarnished by accusations of genocide committed against her country's Muslim Rohingya minority.

Gujarat Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) becomes a 'Lifeline' for Cancer Patients

*CMRF Provides Assistance of Over ₹31.55 Crore for the Treatment of 2,106 Cancer Patients During 2021-2025*

*CMRF Helped 450 Blood Cancer Cases and 1,656 Other Patients, Including Bone Marrow Transplants*

*CMRF Supports Patients Needing High-Cost and Complex Procedures Such as Liver, Kidney, Heart, and Lung Transplants*

The Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF), operated by the Government of Gujarat, has become a strong safety shield for citizens in times of crisis. Whether it is natural disasters, accidents, critical illnesses, or life-saving treatments, the fund continues to widen its reach. 

For health assistance, CMRF has provided timely support, financial relief, and reassurance to thousands of families. Under the CM's guidance, the CMRF has been strengthened to be more empathetic, efficient, and people-focused, ensuring that no one is denied medical care because of financial constraints. Staying true to his priority that the life and health of people come first, the fund has grown into a trusted support system for citizens.

*CMRF: Helping Patients Navigate Critical Health Challenges*

CMRF ensures that financially vulnerable patients receive essential medical care, covering serious conditions such as cancer, heart disease, kidney and liver failure, and organ transplants. As per the eligibility criteria, the applicant’s annual income must be below ₹4 lakh, and ₹6 lakh for senior citizens. Required documents include a residence certificate, a detailed treatment estimate, and medical reports. 

After the application is submitted, the Revenue Department verifies the case and forwards it to the CMRF Committee, which includes the Relief Commissioner, Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue), Chief Secretary, and the Chief Minister. Once approved, the sanctioned assistance is transferred directly to the hospital or to the patient’s bank account, ensuring treatment proceeds without financial delays.

*Over ₹31.55 Crore Assistance Provided to 2,106 Cancer Patients in the Last Four Years*

Between 2021 and 2025, under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) provided crucial financial assistance to 2,106 cancer patients across Gujarat, disbursing over ₹31.55 crore for their treatment. 

According to Health Department data, 450 blood cancer patients, including those needing bone marrow transplants, received support, while 1,656 patients with other types of cancer were also assisted. Beyond cancer care, CMRF extends aid to patients requiring costly and complex procedures such as liver, kidney, heart, and lung transplants.

*Direct CMRF Support Available at Gujarat’s Top Cancer Hospitals*

Major medical institutions, including Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute (GCRI) in Ahmedabad, Nathalal Parekh Cancer Institute and B.T. Savani Hospital in Rajkot, Bharat Cancer Hospital, Kiran Multi Super specialty Hospital, and AAIHMS in Surat, have been key partners in providing assistance through CMRF. 

These hospitals provide advanced cancer care, ensuring timely treatment for economically weaker patients under expert supervision.

Clashes and chaotic opening in Kolkata to pollution-choked Delhi ::: Negative highlights of soccer icon Messi's India visit

 

Football is popular in India no doubt. It is 'hugely popular' in West Bengal state - of which Kolkata is the capital. Thousands of adoring supporters had paid up to Rs 12,000 to Rs 40,00 and allegedly much more than that in alleged 'black market'. 

However, most of them didn't even get to see him as the football star was surrounded by officials and celebrities -- well connected to Trinamool Cogress - on his brief walk around the stadium.

There was one serving Minister too and the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee - known for staging dramas and populist antics - was on her way to the Salt Lake Stadium. Messi was quickly whisked away as the situation turned hostile.

                           Messi played with children at Arun Jaitley stadium in Delhi on Dec 15
(AFP/BBC  - snap) 

'The Telegraph' newspaper said in an editorial comment -- that "poor management of a hyped-up event, lack of co-ordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "battlefield".

Fans "vented their anger by indulging in violence". The ruckus, which made international headlines, cast a shadow over Messi's first visit to India since 2011 for what has been called a 'GOAT [greatest of all time] tour'.

The event organiser in Kolkata has been arrested, police said, and a city court has remanded Satadru Dutta to 14 days in police custody.

Kolkata - Angry gestures by Messi fans

                                     Delhi ....

Messi had a packed schedule in India, attending a string of promotional events in Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai since arriving in the early hours of Saturday.

Before heading to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he virtually unveiled a 70ft (21m) statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a 45-strong crew in the eastern city.  

Messi's visits to Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai passed off smoothly, with fans sharing their delight at seeing the global icon online and in media interviews. 

"Messi's popularity stems not just from his long international career and wide TV coverage of European football - he's record scorer for Barcelona, the team he used to play for - but also the emotional connection that millions of Indians have with what is often called the beautiful game," reported BBC website.

Messi also met several politicians and celebrities. He met leader Rahul Gandhi and Telangana CM Revanth Reddy in Hyderabad, and India's cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai.

In between these interactions, Messi could be seen waving to large fan gatherings in stadiums and dribbling the ball with groups of children.

Messi with cricket star Sachin - Getty Image/BBC  

ends 

Lashkar handler behind Pahalgam carnage :::: NIA chargesheets seven accused, five suspects and two terror outfits - Pak-based Lashkar and The Resistance Front (TRF)

Lashkar handler behind Pahalgam carnage, TRF executed attack: NIA chargesheet

The NIA has chargesheeted seven accused, five suspects and two terror outfits - Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and The Resistance Front (TRF), in connection with the April 22, 2025 carnage that claimed 26 lives.

Three dead terrorists, and 2 locals named in Pahalgam chargesheet. 

Sajid Jatt operates from the LeT headquarters in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad. 

He is not only the operational chief of the TRF, but is also responsible for recruitment, funding and infiltration in the Kashmir Valley.

The chargesheet, detailing Pakistan’s conspiracy, the roles of the accused and supporting evidence, has been filed against LeT and TRF “as a legal entity” for their role in planning, facilitating and executing the terror attack, the NIA said in a statement.

On April 22, 2025, Pakistani terrorists, in one of the deadliest attacks targeting tourists, killed 25 Hindu tourists from different parts of the country and one Nepalese citizen - also a Hindu.  

The other accused named in the 1,597-page chargesheet include Pakistani handler Sajid Jatt, besides three slain terrorists from the neighbouring country — Faisal Jatt alias Suleman Shah, Habeeb Tahir alias Jibran and Hamza Afghani. 

All three were killed by security forces during ‘Operation Mahadev’ in the Dachigam forests on the outskirts of Srinagar in July this year.

These five accused, along with LeT/TRF, have been charged under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Arms Act, 1959, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

Invoking penal provisions for waging war against India, the NIA has also chargesheeted two locals — Parvaiz Ahmad and Bashir Ahmad — arrested on June 22 this year for harbouring the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack.

On April 22, 2025, Pakistani terrorists, in one of the deadliest attacks targeting tourists, killed 25 tourists from different parts of the country. A local pony operator was also killed in the firing.

The attack led to Operation Sindoor, with India targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7. In retaliation, Pakistan targeted civilian areas on the Indian side, with hostilities ending on May 10.  

Apart from that, two more suspects - Parvaiz Ahmad and Bashir Ahmad - who were arrested by the NIA on June 22 for allegedly harbouring the three terrorists, have also been chargesheeted.

During questioning, the two men had disclosed the identities of the three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack and had also confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated to LeT.

Sajid Jatt is also known by several aliases, such as Saifullah, Numi, Numan, Langda, Ali Sajid, Usman Habib and Shani. He was declared an 'individual terrorist' under the UA(PA) provisions in October 2022.  

Sajid Jatt is also accused of providing logistical and operational support to hybrid terrorists. He is considered the most dangerous face of the terrorist network in Kashmir.

ends 

Sam Manekshaw ::: We may call him 'Universal Soldier' :::: He brought efficiency and hard work to the blood and guts of Indian Army

* Special : Great Optics  

The 13-day India-Pakistan war in 1971 ended with the Pakistani surrender in Dhaka on December 16th and in the process Bangladesh came into being as an independent nation and thus India also emerged as a fighting fit and a major regional power.  

Thus, December 16th is significant as Victory Day (Bangladesh) and Vijay Diwas in India. Bangladesh is in turmoil these days. That's a different chapter. The incumbent regime is a puppet of the American 'deep state' and has also inched closer to Pakistan. It's a paradox that the Bangladesh seems to have forgotten all the human rights violations and insults meted out to them by the rulers in Islamabad - but civil and always 'uncivil' - the Pakistan army.

Sam Manekshaw : A leader and a trooper 

In this piece we will talk about a man or rather an uniformed man - who virtually declined to obey the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's instructions and said the 'surrender' of Pakistan army could be carried out in the presence of army commander in the Eastern Command Lt Gen Jagjit Singh Aurora.  

The man we are talking about is Field Marshal Manekshaw and the gossip was he could have gone to Dhaka if it were to accept the surrender of the entire Pakistan army.  

Manekshaw's tenure was highly eventful. He was famous for throwing one-liners.  

One particular statement used to be - 

“If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gurkha".

Of course, as a commander he was a hard taskmaster. He encouraged his officers in the face of adversity but did not entertain or tolerate incompetence. That was Manekshaw's greatest contribution - to instill a sense of duty, professionalism and efficiency. 

There are several tales of him standing up to political bosses and bureaucratic interference.  

There is a story -- on an occasion a 'General' was marched up to him with the charge of 'misusing funds'.

The General wished not to give up and posed a question to the Field Marshal, - "Sir do you know what you are saying ... you are accusing a General of being dishonest",

Maneskshaw shot back : "Your chief is not only accusing you of being dishonest but also calling you a thief. If I were you, I would go home and either shoot myself or resign. I am waiting to see what you will do".  It was later reported that the General in particular resigned.  

In 2000, in a piece on him 'India Today' wrote -- 

"Manekshaw's competence, professional standing and public stature was such that the politician and the bureaucrat alike crossed his path only at their peril".  

The piece by Lt Gen A S Kalkat also said .. applauding his skills:

"The 1971 war was Manekshaw's finest hour. An Army chief and chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee, he planned the operation meticulously refusing to be coerced by politicians to act prematurely. 

His strategic and operational finesse was evident when Indian pincers cut through Pakistani forces like knife through butter".

 

Sam Manekshaw liked discipline but he had also said - 

“A ‘Yes man’ is a dangerous man, a menace. He will go very far. 

He can become a minister, a secretary or a Field Marshal but he can never become a leader, nor ever be respected. He will be used by his superiors, disliked by his colleagues, despised by subordinates”.

ends 

Nitin Nabin is not just a choice; he is a statement :::: If this is a trend, PM Modi's next Cabinet reshuffle could see ‘dead wood cleared’

 More importantly, it hints at what may follow. If this elevation is any indication, the next Cabinet reshuffle could see ‘dead wood cleared’ and younger leaders pushed forward.

For a party preparing for life beyond Modi—while still under Modi—Nitin Nabin is not just a choice. He is a statement.

(my piece in newswebsite 'The Raisina Hills' )

At just 45, Bihar minister Nitin Nabin’s elevation as BJP working president signals Narendra Modi’s long game—youth, clean image, eastern India and a quiet reset beyond Nagpur’s comfort zone. 

Why Nitin Nabin :: The Modi Succession Clue ... 

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s decision to appoint Nitin Nabin, 45, as its working president is not routine organisational tinkering. It is a strategic jolt—and a message wrapped in surprise.

The BJP Parliamentary Board’s announcement on Sunday effectively sets the stage for Nabin to take over as the party’s next national president by February 2026, bringing to a close the extended tenure of Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, who had continued as BJP chief even after joining the Modi Cabinet.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wasted no time in owning the decision. “Nitin Nabin Ji has distinguished himself as a hardworking karyakarta,” Modi wrote on X, praising his organisational depth, ministerial performance and grassroots reputation in Bihar.  

But beneath the praise lie deeper political signals.

First, this is a clear endorsement of ‘clean politics.’ Nabin has held Bihar’s road transport portfolio—arguably one of the most “lucrative” departments—for years without a whisper of scandal. In a party that increasingly sells governance as credibility, this matters.

Second, this is about age and the future. At 45, Nabin is young enough to build—not merely manage—the BJP’s next generation. Modi’s oft-repeated vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 now has a political corollary: ‘Naya Netritya’ for the decades ahead.

Third, the decision quietly punctures Delhi’s ivory-tower speculation. 

Familiar names—Nitin Gadkari, Dharmendra Pradhan, Bhupender Yadav, even Nirmala Sitharaman—have been decisively bypassed. Unpredictability, once again, remains Modi’s sharpest political weapon.

There are also questions that will be debated in hushed tones: 

Is Nitin Nabin an RSS man? 

If not, how decisively has the Modi–Amit Shah duo signalled autonomy from Nagpur?

Raisina Hill link

The symbolism is unmistakable. Modi has gone talent-hunting in eastern India, elevating a Kayastha leader from Bihar, a fifth-term MLA from Bankipur (formerly Patna West), where the NDA’s road-building record has been among its strongest governance planks.

There is also a poignant backstory. 

Nabin’s father, Naveen Kishore Prasad Sinha, a former MLA from the same constituency, died of cardiac arrest in Delhi.

Political circles long whispered that he was denied his due within the party because of intra-unit rivalries in Bihar. 

The son’s rise now feels like delayed political justice.

( courtesy - The Raisina Hills )

Modi in Chennai : 2004 election campaign 

BJP sets ball rolling for elections in 2026 - Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal appointed BJP poll in-charge for Tamil Nadu :::: Baijayant Panda made in-charge for Assam

Piyush Goyal appointed as BJP Election In-charge for the forthcoming elections in Tamil Nadu.

Arjun Ram Meghwal and Murlidhar Mohol to be two Co-Incharge.

For Assam, BJP national vice president Baijayant Panda will be Election Incharge while Sunil Kumar Sharma and Darshana Ben Jardosh will be two Co-Incharge. 

The saffron party faces a stiff competition and anti-incumbency mood in Assam. The BJP came to power in the northeastern state in 2016. For first five years, Sarbananda Sonowal was the chief minister but in 2021, he was replaced by Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Elections are also in Kerala and West Bengal. 

The saffron party will be perhaps satisfied making a deeper penetration in Kerala and win 10-15 seats but in West Bengal it had emerged as the principal opposition party in 2021 assembly elections.

The BJP is more than serious to pull carpet underneath Mamata Banerjee's feet. 

The ongoing SIR is already being debated intensely in West Bengal.

The Mamata Banerjee-led outfit has a typical image of being Muslim-infiltrators friendly party. In 2026 polls, this issue will be obviously a major matter for political discourse.

The BJP is also set to highlight growing lawlessness and syndicate raj under Mamata Banerjee. 

The Trinamool supremo had come to power in 2011 ousting the Left Front, which was in power for a long 34 years. The recent fiasco at the Salt Lake Stadium when football star Messi visited the city would also tarnish Mamata Government's image further.

While chaos prevailed in Kolkata; all Messi events went on well in Mumbai and Hyderabad. 

Various questions have been raised on the political interference via-a-vis the Messi show in Kolkata.    

BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya launched an all-out attack on Mamata Banerjee and the state government.  

"Stop shedding crocodile tears. This mismanagement and corruption are endemic to everything your government does. The TMC has launched a frontal attack on the emotions of the people of West Bengal and insulted every football lover," he tweeted.

Pakistan not only exports Terrorism ::: They send father-son duo terrorists too :::: Naveed Akram and father - who sparked off Bondi Beach carnage that killed 15 'hail' from Pak

The two gunmen behind the deadly shooting at a Hanukkah event on Sydney's Bondi Beach were a father and son from Pakistan, CBS News quoted US intelligence officials as saying.  

Naveed Akram identified as alleged shooter seen firing from bridge, with reports his father Sajid was shot dead by police. 

The pair allegedly killed 15 people, with dozens more injured in the shootings which took place on Sunday, during a gathering to celebrate the first night of Hanukah.

The son was known to New South Wales police and other agencies, while his father had a firearms licence with six weapons registered to him, authorities confirmed on Monday. All six have been recovered, police said.

At least three of these weapons, long arms believed to include a rifle and shotgun, were seized at the scene in Bondi, with other weapons also found during a police raid at a house in Campsie, in Sydney’s south-west.

The police commissioner, Mal Lanyon, said the men had lived at another house in Bonnyrigg, in the city’s west, which was also raided on Sunday night.

Lanyon said there was nothing “to indicate that either of the men involved in yesterday’s attack was planning the attack”, and confirmed the older man had held a gun licence for a decade.

"Cooperate with Governor Ajay Bhalla" :::: BJP high command cracks the 'verbal whip' ... "Do not be guided and misguided" by civil society ::: More than a mild snub to Biren Singh yet again ::::: sets the ball rolling for 2027 polls with 'strong suggestion' for Unity

Manipur BJP MLAs upset as no 'formal commitment' from centre on installation of a popular government.

BJP general secretary in-charge organisation B L Santhosh met the party legislators from Manipur in Delhi on Sunday and discussed methodologies to ensure "unity" and greater cooperation from the saffron party legislators and former ministers with the state administration under Governor Ajay Bhalla.

Most MLAs had presumed the meeting summoned at the initiatives of Sambit Patra, coordinator for North East, would be to explore ways for installation of a popular government in the state. Even if such things could be decided by January or February, 2026 -- the principal theme of Dec 14th meeting was --  

... "Do not be guided and misguided" by civil society.

BJP high command cracks the 'verbal whip'.  

Manipur state unit president Sharda Devi also attended.

Out of six Kuki BJP, MLAs -- four attended. Nemcha Kipgen, Ngurshanglur, Letjamang Haokip and L M Khoute and two absentees were Vungjagin Valte and Paolialal Haokip. 

::::: Sets the ball rolling ... for 2027 polls but with a 'strong suggestion' for Unity  

A mild snub to N Biren Singh and few other ambitious legislators perhaps.   

Sambit Patra also attended the meeting. 

Three Kuki MLAs have reportedly given the meeting a miss. 

In February this year, Manipur was placed under President's Rule and the assembly was suspended after chief minister N Biren Singh had tendered his resignation. Biren Singh had stepped down due to internal politics and the saffron party never had problems with numbers in the House.  

The fact that such a meeting was convened in the middle of Parliament session indicated things were serious. The Assembly was suspended. Elections in Manipur are due by March 2027 along with Uttar Pradesh, Uttarkhand, Punjab and Goa. 

The BJP legislators including former ministers are desperate for formation of a new government in the state.  

The ethnic conflict between Kukis and Meities had engulfed the state since May 3, 2023. The unrest has claimed over 260 lives and displaced more than 60,000 people across the state. A large number of Kuki-Zo people have moved to Mizoram as well.

Rehabilitation of internally displaced people has figured lately and even the Sangai Festival was embroiled in controversy. This was a major issue of embarrassment for Governor Ajay Bhalla too. If this episode was a pressure tactics by a prominent leader, the BJP central leadership has able to read things "between the lines" as they put it. 

Home Minister Amit Shah and his handpicked Guv Bhalla 

Since 2023; Meiteis are unable to visit Kuki strongholds such as Churachandpur and Kukis are unable to visit Meitei-dominant Imphal and valley regions. 

Meiteis have 40 MLAS in the 60-member assembly and there are 20 others shared by Nagas and Kuki-Zo people - 10 each community. 

In the present Assembly, BJP has 32 members and hence can form a government of its own. But there are six Kukis and they would remain non-committal to work with Meitei leaders. This too has been a cause of deep concern. The Kuki civil society has been clamouring for splitting the tiny state and a new administration set up created. 

The Centre finds such demands impractical at this juncture but inclusiveness and greater participation of the Kuki-Zo people in the developmental process are something that would be encouraged.   

The Dec 14, Sunday meeting must have upset Biren Singh, his associates and even his 'rival MLAs'.

By February this year, Biren Singh’s ouster looked imminent as the ethnic violence that started on May 3, 2023 did not quite end and tension still prevailed at an unexpected level. 

The most important thing expected of a Chief Minister that he has strategies and vision for how to fix some of the entrenched problems of a state. Biren Singh failed on this score.

Of course Biren Singh's removal from the position of authority in Imphal left a big political vacuum.

As state’s Chief Minister and blessed with the high command's blessings Biren Singh had tried to emerge as a champion of the Meitei-cause. 

This journalist’s visit to Imphal and other places in Manipur coincided with the Republic Day season. As expected there was a simmering tension.

Amidst such situations; Imphal market functioned normally in the evening hours. I met two women entrepreneurs in the busy all-women sellers market. One of them dealt with artificial ornaments. On the wrong side of 70, the senior citizen expressed her unhappiness with the state of affairs.

But what she had said was politically significant. "Both the parties the Congress and the BJP have failed.... I am old communist, I support CPI. My party should work harder in Manipur," remarked Meima Laisram.

ends