News Analysis :::: BJP knows .... Prior to 2011, Left Front could not be defeated from a rightist platform ::::: Anti-Hindi 'hatred' prevails :::: By temperament Bengali voters "are anti-establishment"

Importantly five years back during 2021 assembly elections perhaps for the first time, voters in West Bengal started "thinking on their own" and not in the "idiom" of the communists or in the culture minority appeasement of Mamata Banerjee.

****

The Trinamool supremo remains one of the toughest and among the most famous female and influential regional leaders. She remains one unvanquished leader for Team Namo, She was at the forefront of toppling more than three decades of communist rule and is a fierce street-fighting politician.

 **

The 'Bhadralok' (upper caste gentleman and symbol of Leftist approach) in Bengal in the past did not cherish ‘caste-based’ politics as the term is understood in UP or Bihar. Nor they showed inclination to respect Hindu sentiment. All these came under scanner in 2021. 

The spirit continues in 2026 too and that gives BJP's hopes high. 

But the BJP has been realising that even prior to 2011, the Left Front could not be defeated in Bengal from a rightist platform. 

So despite the best attempts personally from Atal Bihari Vajpayee and strong opposition from the likes of the late Ajit Panja, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool had quit the BJP-led NDA. 

One strict peculiarity remains -- a sizable Bengali Hindus still feel Politics should not be mixed with Religion. They may also feel, Bangladeshi Muslim infiltration is not so dangerous phenomenon as made out to be by the BJP.

This peculiarity gets complicated when Muslims remain polarised and hence genuine Indian Bengali Muslims and the uninvited guests (infiltrators and bogus voters) remain solidly anti-BJP and would still vote for Mamata -- without or with incidents like RG Kar rape 'kando'.   

And thirdly; there is an inherent 'hatred' for Hindi leadership (read language) imposition from Delhi and Gujarat.  

There may be a new political philosophy – ‘Hindu-Hindi-Hindustan’ which may and still may not be acceptable by the people. 

Thus while ‘Jai Shri Ram’ could not be dismissed as a slogan of the north India and Gujarat, in 2026 the BJP is not giving much push to the same.

The secret of Modi-Shah electoral strategies also lies in the fact that Mamata Banerjee’s ‘hawai chappal’ and claim to simpleton life style has been ‘questioned’ by a large section of voters. But TMC has played 'Banga Bhanga' narratives at times vis-a-vis north Bengal.

However, these are not making much impact in 2026 unlike the past. Still the BJP is careful ... and so now the repeated line is - "BJP is Syama Prasad Mookerjee's party ... and Bengal will remain undivided and united as envisioned by Syama Prasad himself".  

BJP state unit president Shamik Bhattacharya repeated the same line during a press conference on March 19th, 

Bengali Hindus often speak about themselves and say - "we may get angry with thieves and start eating from floor itself; because the utensils were stolen and taken away". 

"Chorer Upor raag kore ... Maati tey bhaat khau-a"  

To break it up we may add - there is a shared pride among Bengali Hindus to practice a new radicalism --  stepping out of line and relishing not being conservative.  

Often these have harmed the state.

These factors work in favour of Trinamool Congress.  Let us break these further. 

---- If Mamata is seen as someone 'genuinely' fighting Narendra Modi (with or without Hindutva image) .. things can still work in favour of TMC. 

In the past iconic Congress chief minister B C Roy "battled" Jawaharlal Nehru and in Kolkata intellectual circles there was a cherished perception that Jyoti Basu too battled Indira Gandhi and later other Congress leaders. 

Hence,  when Basu described BJP as a barborous party -- it was largely seen as the Kolkota hero crusading against Delhi and against Atal Bihari Vajpayee. 

  

Thus, West Bengal offers more than just a Herculean challenge and jigsaw puzzle to Amit Shah and BJP strategists because the politics of neo-nationalism, liberal economic policies and Hindutva slant all end up colliding with each other.

Even as the saffron party's electoral fortune surged in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls -- giving it 18 seats in 2019; leaders acknowledge that they are still up against basic ideological barriers more than organisational weaknesses. 

Vote share in 2019 surged to about 40 per cent. 

Winning West Bengal would be a huge coup for the BJP and especially for Amit Shah. This would give Team Namo a huge advantage in the parliamentary elections in 2029.

Having made 'deep inroads' in such a tough state, PM Modi may opt for a massive cabinet reshuffle and reward Shah making him the Deputy Prime Minister. 

Rajnath may also get moved out of the cabinet. 

ends 

Mamata making constitutional argument because 'political argument' not working ::: Transfer Blitz :::: EC sets six goals for Electoral Officers to ensure free and fair polls :::::: Shunted out DMs must vacate official bungalows

The Election Commission has set six goals for the DEOs, including the prevention of violence and voter intimidation through the proper deployment of central forces.

The district Electoral Officers (DEOs) have been asked to try and make the elections free from any political influence and take care of bogus or proxy voting, booth jamming and intimidation in the catchment areas of the booths on polling day. 

Bungalow axe for removed DMs: EC cracks down on election interference

The rejig of senior bureaucrats and police officers reached Calcutta High Court on Friday, with the state government challenging the poll panel’s authority to send them to other states. 

The Election Commission on Friday directed the newly appointed district magistrates to get their predecessors to vacate their official bungalows so they can put up there.

The directive was a clear signal from the Gyanesh Kumar-led poll panel that it would not tolerate any interference in the election process by the 11 DMs it had removed recently.  

Gyanesh Kumar had earlier warned senior officials, including then chief secretary Nandini Chakravorty and then DGP Piyush Pandey, --- two blue-eyed officials of Mamata --- not to interfere in the election process and to allow the district officials to work in keeping with the poll panel’s directives. 

 The commission also felt that the SIR could not be completed on time only because of interference from some top bureaucrats and their political bosses. 

(At Eid prayers, Mamata Banerjee accuses BJP of ‘snatching voting rights’ in West Bengal)  

“When you (Modi) shake hands abroad, you seem to forget everything. When you return to India, the Hindu-Muslim narrative begins again. You then call for deleting names, labelling people as infiltrators. I would say you are the biggest infiltrator," says Mamata

**

The EC instructions came during a videoconference attended by poll panel officials, chief electoral officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal and all the district election officers or DEOs (district magistrates).

The Election Commission had replaced 11 district magistrates on Wednesday without consulting the Bengal government. It has sent five of them to Tamil Nadu as poll observers.

The rejig of senior bureaucrats and police officers reached Calcutta High Court on Friday, with the state government challenging the poll panel’s authority to send them to other states. A division bench headed by Chief Justice Sujoy Paul is likely to hear the matter on Monday.

A senior official said the poll panel had replaced several DMs during the 2021 Assembly polls and the 2024 general election following allegations they were playing a “partisan” role.

But these DMs continued to occupy their bungalows, allegedly on instructions from the state government’s top brass. Such an arrangement sent out a clear message that the ruling dispensation would transfer the newly appointed DMs after the elections. Using this ruse, the predecessors continued to instruct the officials conducting the elections. 

The Election Commission is actually more than serious about preventing this kind of interference this time. The poll panel has since the beginning of the election process taken a tough stance on state officials seen as close to the ruling party. 

Trinamool’s reply to the EC’s actions — a formal protest letter from Mamata Banerjee — is revealing precisely because of its register. 

"Actions of this nature risk creating an atmosphere akin to an emergency or indirect central rule, which is deeply concerning and unfortunate. They undermine the spirit of cooperative federalism,” she wrote.

The language is that of a leader making a constitutional argument because the political argument is no longer working. 

Why the Mamata regime needs to be booted out ?? --- Now, the economic reasons !! :::: West Bengal's share of India's GDP has been shrinking continuously !!!

The decline in the case of West Bengal is so dramatic that the per capita income of Bengal by 2023-24 stood at 83.7%.

It is even below that of Odisha at 88.5%. 

Decades of misrule, aggressive and violent trade unionism and policy paralysis—deepened under TMC eroded the state's economic base.

Today, the state stands at 24th rank, with average incomes 16.3 per cent below the national level, marking a steep fall in GDP contribution and lost leadership. West Bengal deserves better.

The economic liberalisation of 1991 was a turning point for many states. Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, once considered average performers, rose to become economic powerhouses. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, and Haryana also maintained steady growth.

In contrast, West Bengal struggled to adapt to these changes. Economist Sanjeev Sanyal, who has closely analysed West Bengal’s economic history, believes the state’s decline wasn’t solely due to external factors. He criticised former economic leaders like Ashok Mitra, Ashim Dasgupta, and Amit Mitra, not just for failing to reverse the state’s economic slide but for “actively contributing to it.”

“The long list of ‘esteemed economists’ did more harm than good,” said Sanyal (India Today). 

Manufacturing and investment performance have been consistently weak. Bengal's manufacturing sector grew only 6.6 % between 2012 and 2020 compared to the all-India average of 8.6 %.  

However, post-Covid it improved to about 8 per cent in West Bengal. 

High population density and sluggish growth have led to weak per capita income. Bengal ranks 21st among all states, with per capita GSDP roughly 20% below India's national average. 

Comparatively in 1960-61, West Bengal's per capita income was 127.5% of the national average. 

 

Since the TMC came to power (May 20, 2011), Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth has remained below India's national average-Bengal at 4.3% versus India's 5.6% (2012-13 to 2021-22). 

West Bengal's share of India's GDP (Gross Domestic Product) has been shrinking continuously, decade after decade. 

In 1960-61, Bengal was India's third-largest economy, contributing 10.5% to the national GDP. 

By FY 2023-24, this fell to about 5.6%,  

The state ranks below high-performing coastal industrial states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu in ease of doing business. 

West Bengal's Human Development Index (HDI) stands at around 0.65, ranking between 22nd and 25th among states, which is well below Kerala's 0.78 and Tamil Nadu's 0.71.

From economic powerhouse to struggling state, West Bengal's fall from its prime spot in India's financial scene tells a story of lost opportunity and shifting fortunes. 

The failure to adapt to changing times and harness the benefits of economic reforms has left West Bengal grappling with its diminished role in India’s economy.

"Chaar May, Didi Gayi .... BJP wants to give rest to CM Mamata Banerjee... she has worked enough" :::::: "Only central PSU investments are the real time investments in West Bengal", claims BJP :::: Refers to TMC "extortion"

 BJP's Shamik Bhattacharya says -- Mamata Govt not even capable of running a Lift inside a Hospital.

"You all (media) is asking .. why Election Commission has transferred so many civil and police officials... Did attack on journalists and TV camera persons ever recorded on FIR and has anyone been arrested ? 

"Go to common people ... they ask .. why this Mamata Govt is still in office. We in the BJP are unable to convince people, we are not Congress leaders...Our DNA is not Congress DNA .... 

We cannot use Article 356 against an elected Govt". -- Shamik 

She talks about Industrialisation. She does Summit. "People (industrialists) who stand alongside the Chief Minister by evening take away their industrial units to other states".  

"Only central PSU investments are the real time investments in West Bengal. The condition the state is in ..., the way judiciary is treated by Chief Minister and her party and the Trinamool's open Extortion .... these are the hurdles for investment inour state".  

"This TMC Govt has no moral right to talk about these matters".  

"BJP wants to give rest to CM Mamata Banerjee... she has worked enough... now she should take rest"

"Chief Minister herself had earlier criticised Central Govt's Beti Bachao, Beti Padao scheme ... This is a major campaign and scheme against killing of girl child in their mother's womb... The success of this scheme is seen in every state in India," - says Bhattacharya. 

There is large scale cases of infanticide in West Bengal.

"The state is top in the case of child marriage in India ... Even in the case of Drop Out from formal education for girl students, It's Egiye Bangla ... Bengal is ahead of others," he mocked at the Trinamool dipensation which paradoxically has a woman chief minister for last 15 years. 

"In manifesto, TMC says they will provide drinking water... To my question in Parliament, the centre had replied recently that states such as Punjab, Goa, Delhi and Telangana have already achieved that by 2024 ....

In West  Bengal, that milestone will now be achieved in 2027".

  

"We have no intention to use Article 356 and impose President's Rule in West Bengal...." - Shamik Bhattacharya  

"The Chief Minister and her party have almost created a sovereign state ... (prithak rashtra).... The way they attack Constitution, attack President ...Governor and federal structure and also media and judiciary .... Moreover, on all important national issues; their standpoint deserves to be published on first pages of Pakistani newspapers".  

On the TMC election manifesto, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar says, "After being in power for 15 years and deceiving the people throughout, no one will even read their manifesto. It is just another bundle of lies... Instead of development, terrorism has reached the doorsteps of the people. This is the reality of West Bengal...". 

  

Power Mongering is 'aapa' Oops ... Didi-Mantra :::: Trinamool rains 'freebies for life' :::: What comes out is sheer Desperation -- She needs Nabanya-fiefdom for LIFE

 Lakshmir Bhandar will continue for life to all beneficiaries: Mamata Banerjee   

West Bengal's failure has been economic

and more existential !!  

BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh says, "...TMC is not coming to power this time, so I will not waste my time reacting to them"

"Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee says Modernisation of schools will be undertaken ... More than 8000 schools are actually closed," says BJP West Bengal chief Shamik Bhattacharya  

***  What comes out in Trinamool Congress manifesto for battle of 2026 -- is sheer Desperation -- 

In other words - She longs for 'Nabanya-fiefdom for LIFE' 

Power Mongering is 'aapa' Oops ... Didi-Mantra ::::  

BJP says -- "We have said earlier also .... Lakhi Devi cannot stay in this kind of situation. If you really want Lakhi (or Laxmi), you need peace first".

 

Take note of what a Chief Minister of 15 years -a regime known for Tollabaji says -- 

"We will provide drinking water to all, make pucca houses for everyone. It is our promise"  

There are some fictional and semi-fictional lines ::::  

(such claims go well for Kolkata's Sickular and Fish Fry journalism club) 

** In Delhi -- She had said in the past "I dont want to meet PM Manmohan Singh ... ei raja gaan ga" !!" 

And the scribe obliged ..... 

Wagons, engines, coaches are now being produced in Bengal: says Mamata

Ninety per cent of eggs are now produced in Bengal

"For Hilsa people had to wait. We have created a Hilsa research centre. Now Bengal is flooded with Hilsas" 

Takes note ::: Some of it matches Rahul Gandhi's 'Jalebi factory' and Gold from Potato fables --- 

Check/Point :::  The Hilsa production in West Bengal has been surrounded by controversy due to a sharp decline in local catch, leading to allegations of fraudulent reporting, unsustainable fishing practices, and reliance on imports to meet demand.  (Uncle Google told me) 

"While the West Bengal government has claimed to take steps to improve production, experts and fishermen associations have raised concerns about the actual situation on the ground," uncle Google would tell you all too.

  

Blogger 

Nevertheless - the pishi (better to call her Phupi -- Bangladeshi word for Father's Sister) -would still scream -- 

"Projects worth few thousand crores have come to Bengal. Leather hub, power hubs have been created. Once Deucha-Pachami is ready there will be no power crisis for a hundred years: Mamata at Manifesto release session 

Take a break -- BJP leader Gourav Vallabh says, 

"4th May Bengal se TMC gayi. 

"People in West Bengal had already made their decision about the Trinamool Congress (TMC) during yesterday’s rally. Now, no matter how much TMC tries, no matter what statements they make, or even if they insult tribal women or the  President, TMC can no longer remain in Bengal. Their exit is certain, and in all five states, good governance governments will be formed...".

BJP Message on Twitter 

The Check/Point-2 ::::  

Calcutta (Kolkata) was once more dynamic than Hong Kong, Singapore, Bahrain and Dubai

In 2026 -- 15 years after communists were voted out and as many years of TMC (tollabaji shows) ---  

Hong Kong, Singapore, and Dubai became world-class financial hubs, 

Kolkata and the industrial ecosystem around it not only stagnated but also declined. 

Like the premature sunset shrouding a once-vibrant day, calamity lay in wait. 

The tragic narrative of West Bengal's decline unfolds not merely with the shuttering of factories, but with the gradual suffocation of an entrepreneurial spirit that once thrived !! 

"Decline of West Bengal did not happen overnight, seeds were sown during 34-year-old Left Front rule" ::::: Power Politics .... Identity and Power !!

Ajay Kundu (a student of Jadavur University) says – “Mamata was a woman in bathroom slippers and cotton sari who chased murder after murder in Jyoti Basu’s Bengal. Today, the chief minister has been found defending the wrongdoers”.

For its part, the Trinamool Congress has its list of allegations against the BJP.

Jatin Sarkar, a TMC booth worker in Lake Town area of Kolkata says :

“The Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan was stopped by centre on irrational grounds. This has created extreme hardships… Bengalis are being deprived. Normal developmental momentum gets impacted”.

There other issues such as -- funds under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana was stopped by centre. “Mamata Didi took up the challenge and started its own ‘Banglar Bari’ scheme and we have now covered more than 32 lakh households,” he says. There is also fund due from the Govt of India to the tune of Rs 1,97,000 crore. Out of this, major shortfalls are in MGNREGA -– Rs. 43,014 crore. He also alleged that “West Bengal has not received a single rupee under the Jal Jeevan Mission during 2025-26”.

Poster calling for Left Unity 

The polity is polarised between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress of Mamata Banerjee. So the socio-cultural atmosphere is automatically polarised because the Lotus party is famous for its pro-Hindutva agenda and the Mamata Banerjee-led outfit is accused of pursuing pro-Muslim politics and governance polls. 

The one-and-half month long acrimonious political campaign and mudslinging has been kicked off in West Bengal. To start with, the polls to the 294-member state assembly is like a do or die battle for both the state’s ruling Trinamool Congress and the principal opposition BJP. 

Onetime dominant Leftists as well as its traditional rival Congress are badly marginalised. In 2021 state assembly polls and 2024 parliamentary elections – both the communists including CPI-M and the Congress could not open account.

But the games are changing. The most striking irony is a perceived political convergence. TMC leaders now speak loudly about newly built Jagannath temple at Digha. The ‘battle of 2026’ will not only define who will rule West Bengal. It will also answer a basic question – whose idea of India or Bangla finally prevails.

“The Trinamool Congress is not concerned about our sons and daughters. They are only concerned about Madrasas. This appeasement cannot develop Bengal,” said BJP’s chief poll strategist and Home Minister Amit Shah. Little wonder; many Muslims across West constituencies in Kolkata and in hubs like Siliguri speak of their “fear” at the prospect of BJP rule.

“The Modi Govt had made West Bengal the first state to introduce the Citizenship Amendment Act. It is typically anti-Muslim and offers citizenship to refugees from all religions except Islam. This is seen as discriminatory against Muslims and may help Trinamool easily,” says Prabir Mazumdar in Cooch Behar in northern part of the state.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP stunned the state by winning 18 of 42 seats—seven of the eight parliamentary constituencies in North Bengal. In the 2021 Assembly polls, the BJP secured 30 of North Bengal’s 54 Assembly seats, forming the backbone of its opposition presence. Mainstream Kolkata, however, continues to argue that even as the TMC may have lost ground in the north, it remains dominant in South Bengal.

Kumar Jitendra Narayan, a descendant of the Cooch Behar royal family, is confident the BJP will perform strongly again in 2026—provided it respects “people’s sentiment”. That sentiment revolves around long-standing demands for dignity, autonomy and fair governance.

In and around Kolkata city if posters and various campaign slogans in are any pointer of the possible outcome of Assembly elections; perhaps the Trinamool Congress is much ahead. The metropolis is dotted with towering claims of state government’s achievements and Mamata Banerjee’s welfarism. In comparison there is not many BJP posters or flags. One Trinamool campaign line is emphatic – “Jotoi Koro Humla, abar jeetbey Bangla (No amount of assault on us will make any difference. Bengal will win again”).

This campaign line has a special context. The BJP and the Mamata Banerjee-led party are engaged in tussle which is much more than simple electoral battle.

The coming election is not only about corruption and governance. Titu Bose, a resident in posh Tollygunj area says: “We are heading for a referendum on whether Bengali culture can be saved and revived… and if so who will do so, the TMC or the BJP”.

Analysts say many Bengali Hindus – especially middleclass – express distaste for BJP’s style of campaigning. “We do not see Hindu-Muslim divide in everything,” remarks housewife Tripti Sen, a resident of Kharda locality.

But elections also relate to multiple other issues. The role of police, administration and during poll season the role of the Election Commission. As it is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a controversial raw nerve in Bengal. Now adding to that within 24 hours since the announcement of poll schedules; the EC has replaced Chief Secretary, state DGP and Kolkata police commissioner. In first orders o Sunday night itself (March 15th); the chief secretary Nandini Chakraborty and Home Secretary Jagdish Prasad Meena were replaced.

The state has got a new DGP in Sidd Nath Gupta. The poll panel also cancelled the contract of the agency that supplied web cameras during 2021 assembly polls and the Lok Sabha polls of 2024. While the TMC leadership will be leaking wounds angrily; BJP leaders Suvendu Adhikari and Sukanta Majumdar have welcomed the new directives of the EC.

Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar welcomed the new changes.

"The Election Commission has decided this. These officers were very biased... It is right to remove them. The Election Commission did the right thing”. But the Trinamool Congress staged a day-long walkout from the Rajya Sabha on March 16, Monday, protesting the Election Commission's decision to remove the state's top bureaucrats, including Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty.

The Cultural Debate

Critics argue that the Lotus party’s nationalistic rhetoric especially on the issues like language, literature and infiltrators clash with Bengal’s pluralism shaped by figures such as poet Kazi Nazrul Islam may not have many takers. The BJP carries its own baggage.

Past mistakes by senior BJP leaders helped Mamata Banerjee build a narrative that the party does not understand the Bengal ethos. Several central BJP leaders have stumbled over Bengal’s history and cultural icons. This fuel Trinamool propaganda. Former BJP national president J P Nadda once erroneously remarked that Rabindranath Tagore was born in Santiniken. This was used to present as a symbol of disconnect.

However, it also goes without saying that unlike its glorious past; West Bengal under Mamata for last 15 years is a landscape of persistent economic stagnation, violence and syndicate’s evil influence.

The polls this year will be important in more ways than one and there are multiple issues at play.

An IT employee Monodip Sarkar – who works in Bengaluru – says : 

“The decline of Bengal did not happen overnight. The seeds were sown during the 34-year-old Left Front rule between 1977 and 2011. 

This was only deepened by TMC further. Today, I am most being happy being a non-resident Bengali and I visit my parents twice in a year”.

ends 

Election News : "Mamata will be victorious", says Sena leader Sanjay Raut ::::: Himanta stages Roadshow .... wife Riniki Bhuyan Sharma says : "Today we are going for second term with a sweeping majority"

Congress seals alliance with reginal party Raijor Dal; 

Gaurav Gogoi says "We came together to build a new Assam"

^^

BJP candidate from Sonarpur assembly constituency, Rupa Ganguly says, 

"... I have been visiting Sonarpur for many years because my father and mother lived there, and I bought the house for them. My parents did not have a home of their own, as everything we had was in Bangladesh. 

"From the time I began working, my only wish was to buy a house for my mother. For the past 30 years, I have been going there, and I know all the problems of that area. It will be my responsibility to address these needs and problems...".  

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut says, 

"You (BJP) cannot defeat Mamata Banerjee. Defeating Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal is not just difficult, it's impossible. The entire BJP knows this... That's why they have taken complete control over West Bengal... Why don't these transfers and postings happen in other states?... The people of the country are with Mamata Banerjee... 

We are all with her, and once again, Mamata Banerjee will be victorious in West Bengal."

Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, wife of Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, says," This will be his second term, and the people are overwhelmed by the work and change Assam has seen. Today we are here to go for the second term, that too with a sweeping majority."  

Assam Minister & BJP Candidate, Pijush Hazarika says, 

"... I am thankful to my senior leaders for giving me the opportunity to file my nomination. I have already served three terms as a legislator in the Assembly, and if I win this time, it will be my fourth term. I appeal to the people to give us your support, to strengthen the BJP, to empower Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and to bless Himanta Biswa Sarma for a second consecutive term as Chief Minister...".  

Pijush Hazarika offered prayers at the Deosal Temple before filing his nomination for the upcoming assembly elections.  

On BJP's prospects in Keralam Assembly Elections 2026, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says,

"They are pretty much non-existent, they are a 0-seat party...The elections are going to be between UDF and LDF, and LDF has represented 10 years of misgovernance, while we represent the most credible alternative for change..." 

He also says, "We used to be called a model state - the Kerala model and today we have become the debt model... We need to completely revive the economy and give people a chance that they will stay and see a future in their own state..."

“Hindu bahut hi darpok kaum hain“ ::::: ‘Dhurandhar 2’ may make more money .... Thanks to Namo on Screen, 'more' violence and as they say more 'right wing' propaganda

Aditya Dhar and Ranveer Singh combo returns with more propaganda 

“Hindu bahut hi darpok kaum hain“

“Pados mein hi rehte hai hum…..Goodebhar ka zorr laga lo… aur bigaad lo jo bigaad sakte ho.”

(Hindus are always very coward. We are in you neighbourhood only.... Put all your strength and do whatever you like. Let's see how much can you harm us)

'Dhurandhar: The Revenge' had a blockbuster opening on Thursday, March 19, 2026. The film may be on a course to rewriting history for Bollywood at the domestic box office. Film-economy analysts say it has now raced ahead of films such a Kalki 2898 AD, Jr NTR's Devara: Part I and even Rajinikanth's 'Coolie'. 

Films such as 'Adipurush' earned Rs 87 crore at the initial stage. 

'Coolie' -- earned Rs 65 crore. But now this political drama with Pakistan angle earned Rs 43 crore nett from its premiere shows alone. Including these preview collections, the film's total stands at a massive Rs 143 crore nett after two days.

"Theatres erupt as PM Modi appears in Dhurandhar 2, internet can't keep calm" -- says a headline in 'India Today'.  Look what has gone right or wrong -- 

The audience reacts with surprise to a couple of unexpected on-screen moments in 'Dhurandhar -The Revenge'. The sequences pertain to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is visible in two scenes.  Well, the four-hour long film has two of Namo speeches. The first is his May 26, 2014 oath-taking ceremony as Prime Minister succeeding Manmohan Singh and the second is from his 2016 (Nov 8 // 8 PM) demonetisation address. 

Some viewers may get angry at director Aditya's messaging. India that is Bharat has changed a lot since 2014. Of course - the armies of Modi Bhakts are already convinced about the same. But there are some too -- who know the impact of Moditva phenomenon as lot many job-sectors and industry such as Media world has transformed a lot. I interacted with half a dozen -- 50 something (age) - scribes on the same subject -- the revealing fact is most are jobless. A few call them freelancers (the stage of almost joblessness) and a few say - they have quit journalism. 

One friend in Pune has joined an AI-related job and one in Vaishali runs a 'Patrakar Kachori centre'.  

Now move on --  "Reports coming in from all over indicate that the reaction has been nothing short of hysterical in the theatres each time PM Modi appears on the screen. Clips have also surfaced on social media, capturing the crowd response in theatres," writes 'India Today Entertainment Desk'.  

Kolkata's 'The Telegraph' run by Ananda Bazar Patrika group tells a different story. 

"Dhar, here, makes no pretense of his intentions. He is not interested in telling the redemption story of a spy who sacrificed his normal life in the service of the nation. The intent, from the word go, is to drive home the message that India, oops Bharat, has changed post 2014. And now, we enter into our enemies’ homes and wreck them from within."  ---- 

Do you remember - "Ghuskey Marenge" ? 

Long back when Rajiv Gandhi was the Prime Minister - Religion had become the 'electronic opium' of India's idiot box - Doordarshan serials - Yes - 'Ramayana' and 'Mahabharat'. 

The Moditva phenomenon always tapped those untapped potentials. Hence came 'Mann K Baat'.

In 2019 -- film 'Uri - The Surgical Strike' brought in dividends for the BJP.  

What goes on unsaid is not only 'Modi shines' on the big screen. 

In 'Uri' - Paresh Rawal plays a super planner -- aka NSA Ajit Doval.

 

In Dhurandhar - One and Two -- we have a spy boss --  Ajay Sanyal played by 

R. Madhavan -- the famous Qureshi son of 'Three Idiots'.

My favourite dialogue of Madhavan always will be "Engineer ban bhi jaoonga toh 

kharab engineer banoonga". My father - by the by - was also like his dad on screen 'Hitler Qureshi'.  

                           Madhavan --- looks like Doval sitting in his Vivekananda Centre cabin (UPA days --

                           ** Ironically, I never realised he could be Modi's NSA) 

“Ab Pakistan ka mustaqbil tay karega Hindustan”

--- goes a line in Dhurandhar-2.  

It is the Indian intelligence agency, led by Ajay Sanyal (R. Madhavan), who is deciding the fate of Pakistan — through his trusted spy Jaskirat Singh Rangi, alias Hamza Ali Mazari.

Here's another -- "Sir, Mooh todne ke liye mutti band karna jaroori hain. We must infiltrate the very core of the terrorism in Pakistan" - Ajay Sanyal (R Madhavan)

(Dhurandhar-1)

“Agar tumlogon ke pataakhe khatam ho gaye toh main dhamaka shuru karu” – Ranveer Singh (also in Dhurandhar-1)  

In Dhurandhar - The Revenge ::: we have a footage of PM Narendra Modi declaring demonetisation on Nov, 2016, and Hamza sets fire to a godown full of fake old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. 

Sanyal and his assistant were wishing for a “government in Uttar Pradesh that puts national interest as top priority” in the original film. Here, it is alleged that fake notes were being channelised into India because the ISI wanted the then ruling party in UP (Samajwadi Party hasn’t been explicitly named) to win again. 

However, demonetisation spoiled the ISI’s plan and led to the formation of an “honest” government under Yogi. 

(The Telegraph lists this as propaganda.)  

Finally; again Sanyal tells you what India-Pakistan story is all about -- Honsla, Eendhan, Badla

(Courage, 

Instigation and Revenge) 

ends 

Assam Rifles conducts Burmese language field training in Manipur ::::: Lt Gen Pendharkar graces mega Ex-Servicemen Rally in Kohima

 GoC Lt Gen Pendharkar graces mega Ex-Servicemen Rally in Kohima  

Red Shield Division under SpearCorps organised a Mega Ex-Servicemen (ESM) Rally at Kisama, Kohima, Nagaland, bringing together over 1,000 veterans, Veer Naris, and their families. 

GoC with NIT participants 

The event celebrated the contributions and sacrifices of ex-servicemen and provided a platform for recognition, camaraderie, and community engagement.

Lt Gen Pendharkar at Ex-Servicemen Rally in Kohima

The rally was graced by Hon’ble Governor of Nagaland, Shri Nand Kishore Yadav, and Lt Gen Abhijit S. Pendharkar, GOC SpearCorps, who jointly honoured the veterans for their dedicated service to the nation. During the ceremony, awards and citations were presented to distinguished ex-servicemen and Veer Naris, acknowledging their valor, commitment, and continued service to society.

The event featured speeches highlighting the critical role of veterans in nation-building, interactive sessions for sharing experiences, and cultural programmes showcasing the rich heritage of Nagaland. Families of ex-servicemen also participated, fostering a sense of community and solidarity.

Officials emphasized that such gatherings strengthen the bond between serving forces, veterans, and local communities, while also ensuring that the contributions of those who served the nation are publicly recognized and celebrated. The Mega ESM Rally reinforced SpearCorps’ commitment to the welfare, respect, and engagement of ex-servicemen and their families across the region.

Goc Spear Corps flags in National Integration tour   

Assam Rifles under Spear Corps organised a National Integration Tour for students from Bhandari, Wokha district, Nagaland, under OperationSadbhavana, aimed at fostering national unity, cultural awareness, and educational exposure.

The tour commenced with a flag-in ceremony at Rangapahar Military Station, where Lt Gen Abhijit S. Pendharkar, GOC SpearCorps, formally flagged in the students and addressed them on the importance of national integration, social harmony, and the role of youth in nation-building.

During the tour, the students visited key cities including Guwahati and Kolkata, where they explored prominent educational institutions, historical landmarks, and cultural centres. The itinerary included interactive sessions with educators and cultural experts, providing students with insights into the academic, social, and cultural fabric of different regions of India.  

AR conducts Burmese language field training in Manipur   

The premier central force Assam Rifles organised a practical training visit for 47 students enrolled in the Burmese Language Course to the villages of Chongjang and T Minou in #Manipur. The initiative aimed to provide immersive, real-time learning experiences that go beyond classroom instruction.

During the visit, participants had the opportunity to interact directly with Burmese refugees residing in these areas. 

This exposure allowed the students to practice conversational skills, understand local dialect nuances, and gain insights into cultural practices, traditions, and day-to-day life in Burmese communities.

The hands-on experience is part of Assam Rifles’ broader effort to enhance operational readiness, cultural awareness, and language proficiency among personnel who may be deployed in border and cross-cultural settings. The training included field exercises, dialogue sessions with residents, and observations of community routines, enabling the students to connect linguistic knowledge with practical application.

Officials noted that such immersive programs are crucial for developing linguistic competence, improving communication skills in real-world scenarios, and fostering stronger ties with communities along India’s northeastern borders.

The exercise reflects Assam Rifles’ commitment to comprehensive training that integrates language learning with cultural understanding, preparing personnel for diverse operational environments while promoting cross-border engagement.

ends