BUSINESS
BJP Ally-Hunt Explained: Ajit Pawar turns NDA’s 5% point deficit in Maharashtra to a 10% point advantage
An analysis based on 2019 Lok Sabha poll data suggests that NDA possessed only a 42.5% vote share against 47.9% for MVA before the NCP split. Now with Ajit Pawar’s entry, tables have turned and NDA is at a 50.4% notional vote share and MVA has slipped to 40%
LOK-SABHA-ELECTIONS
Road to 2024: Can these five focus areas delineated by PM Modi take BJP to victory?
PM Modi has set up a five-pillar strategy for BJP to focus its messaging. The emphasis is on tapping votes of five different and overlapping constituencies. While some elements of the strategy could become clearer in the months ahead, the push for the Uniform Civil Code has already begun
POLITICS
Road To 2024: In 375 head-to-head contests against BJP, what is the Opposition strategy?
Lok Sabha polls have four possible permutations in 543 seats: BJP vs INC, BJP vs Regional Parties, INC vs Regional Parties, and Regional Parties vs Regional Parties. Opposition’s hope that unity will help it in the 375 head-to-head contests against BJP cannot ignore the party’s powerful nationalism narrative. Opposition needs a common minimum programme (CMP), not just one-seat one-candidate
BUSINESS
Opposition Unity: In a national election, it should be regional parties making more sacrifices, not the Congress
To project itself as a national player and counter BJP more effectively, Congress needs more space in big states like UP, Bengal, Bihar, Maharashtra and TN. Regional parties are unlikely to be generous in any of these states. A situation where Congress underplays its national heft to make more space for regional parties doesn’t help its or the opposition’s cause in a national election
ASSEMBLY-ELECTIONS
To be or not to be? – Sachin Pilot’s Hamletian dilemma in Rajasthan
Four options lie before Sachin Pilot: float a regional party and be his own boss, remain in Congress and wait for Ashok Gehlot to fade away in Rajasthan or focus on national politics, join Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party or cross over to the BJP. None of the options are particularly attractive
POLITICS
Road To 2024: Congress victory in Karnataka complicates opposition unity efforts
Congress gaining at the cost of regional parties is a very likely prospect in 2024. Opposition parties hoping to reduce Congress to a regional player like the rest of them could turn insecure at the prospect of Congress gaining at their expense. That certainly does not bode well for opposition unity efforts
BUSINESS
Road To 2024: Modi magic intact, Rahul’s ratings improve, economic concerns
If Karnataka and recent state polls hinted at elections turning bipolar, a new survey shows this could happen in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls too. Parties hoping to prop up a third front should watch out: Resilient support for PM Modi and uptick in Rahul Gandhi’s ratings may be foreshadowing BJP, Congress performances
BUSINESS
The new Parliament building could significantly alter the political landscape of India
The new Parliament building can seat 888 members in the Lok Sabha and 300 in the Rajya Sabha chamber. So is a fresh delimitation exercise in the works? With this, as many as eleven states may improve their heft in Parliament while nine others could slide a bit
BUSINESS
Independent Politicians: Heroes in local body elections but zeroes in general elections
The share of elected Independents in total seats falls progressively as we move upwards from the lowest tier of local body polls to mayoral posts to even higher tier general elections (assembly and Lok Sabha polls). In the recent UP municipal polls, smaller the constituency size more Independents could win, including as heads of smaller local bodies
ASSEMBLY-ELECTIONS
Karnataka verdict is yet another indication that 'third fronts' are being squeezed out of state politics
The marginalisation of Karnataka’s third force JD(S) is indicative of increasing bipolarity in state politics. In most states, vote shares of the party that finished third show them trailing the winner and runner-up by a huge margin
POLITICS
Karnataka Elections: Can its hardfought foray into JD(S)’s Vokkaliga base backfire for BJP?
Karnataka Elections 2023: Both BJP and Congress are aiming to grab JD(S)’s Vokkaliga base. For Congress, DK Shivakumar’s chief ministerial ambitions is its only card but BJP has attempted inroads into the community at multiple levels. But who will the dent in JD(S)’s Vokkaliga votes help?
BUSINESS
Personal Finance: Investment myths that need to be busted
Equity is similar to other asset classes and has its own cycles. Even debt returns can outperform inflation during different periods
BUSINESS
Insurance is not an investment; do not combine the two
An insurance-cum-investment product does not provide meaningful returns nor does it provide adequate coverage. Since there is a cost to the attached insurance, the return is lower. Since it is a money-back policy, the sum assured is lower. In other words, it is the worst of both worlds
BUSINESS
Where to invest in debt in a rising interest rate regime
Fixed deposits may look attractive now but gilt funds are also a low-risk option that could offer higher returns than FDs
BUSINESS
Congress' Dilemma | Give Sachin Pilot control, or let party face turbulence in Rajasthan
The Congress in Rajasthan is back in the news as Ashok Gehlot divulges retirement plans, and Rahul Gandhi claims that there will be ‘good news soon’
BUSINESS
Gujarat | In Cabinet formation, BJP rewards traditional support base, new vote blocs
The Cabinet formation in Gujarat highlights the BJP’s new social engineering in the state, and carries a subtle message for the general elections in 2024
BUSINESS
AAP propels BJP to record highs in Gujarat Elections 2022
AAP is leading on 5 seats with 13 percent vote share thus helping BJP to break the record of Madhav Singh Solanki’s 149 seats in 1985
BUSINESS
Janata Dal Merger | Nitish Kumar tries to fill the opposition vacuum
Amidst talks of opposition unity, Nitish Kumar has revived talks of merger of ex-Janata Dal constituents. These regional parties as a bloc could improve their national relevance
POLITICS
Karnataka | Who will be Congress' CM face? Party likely to repeat 2018 poll strategy
It’s DK Shivakumar versus Siddaramaiah versus SR Patil in Karnataka. The Congress hopes the combined efforts of its top leaders will help it win back the state from the BJP
POLITICS
With Ashok Gehlot on back foot, BJP eyes a comeback in Rajasthan
The divided Congress in Rajasthan is drawing solace from the fact that the BJP’s state unit is also in disorder. Factionalism plagues it, with the cadre and leaders divided into various camps. All these leaders eye to be named the party’s CM candidate for 2023
POLITICS
Maharashtra | For Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, it’s a bumpy road ahead
Eknath Shinde might have won the trust vote in the assembly, but the real battle is winning the hearts and minds of the Shiv Sainiks who share an emotional bond with the Thackerays
INDIA
Bypoll Results | BJP’s juggernaut continues. Warning bells for Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, AAP
By winning five of the 10 seats that went to the bypolls, the BJP will be more confident of the upcoming polls
POLITICS
Maharashtra Political Crisis | Can Uddhav Thackeray save his government, and Shiv Sena?
The MVA government is battling for life with the state heading for a constitutional crisis
BUSINESS
Bypolls | Losing Azamgarh and Rampur will be a setback for Samajwadi Party, winning it will not make a difference
The fact is that the bypoll results will hardly affect the Union government’s position in Parliament. This is one of the reasons why the contest is likely to turn highly localised
