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Biswajeet Banerjee

Contributor, Moneycontrol

Akhilesh Yadav’s gambit: Shiva Temple in Etawah signals soft Hindutva shift ahead of 2027 UP polls

INDIA

Akhilesh Yadav’s gambit: Shiva Temple in Etawah signals soft Hindutva shift ahead of 2027 UP polls

The temple is a counter-narrative to the BJP’s long-standing attack on the SP for allegedly pandering to minorities and neglecting Hindu sentiment.

Who is Samik Bhattacharya? New West Bengal BJP chief a BJP Rajya Sabha MP with strong RSS roots

INDIA

Who is Samik Bhattacharya? New West Bengal BJP chief a BJP Rajya Sabha MP with strong RSS roots

The state's directive, mandating restaurants and eateries along the yatra route to display nameplates identifying their owners and staff, has drawn sharp political backlash and has been challenged in the Supreme Court.

QR codes, 'Hindu-friendly' dhabas: Kanwar Yatra directives raise eyebrows in Uttar Pradesh

INDIA

QR codes, 'Hindu-friendly' dhabas: Kanwar Yatra directives raise eyebrows in Uttar Pradesh

Muzaffarnagar MLA and Minister of State Kapil Dev Agarwal asked all hotels and dhaba owners to put up signboards displaying their real names

Wooing the Pasmandas: BJP, SP lock horns in high-stakes Muslim outreach

INDIA

Wooing the Pasmandas: BJP, SP lock horns in high-stakes Muslim outreach

If the BJP is trying to script a new narrative of inclusion through meetings, sammelans, and sneh yatras, the SP is preparing for a deep grassroots counter-offensive.

Etawah incident deepens caste divide, sets stage for 2027 political showdown

INDIA

Etawah incident deepens caste divide, sets stage for 2027 political showdown

With Assembly elections one and a half years away, Akhilesh appears to have found the perfect flashpoint to re-energise his party’s caste coalition.

Seven MLAs cross-voted, only three sacked: Akhilesh Yadav's 'selective action' raises eyebrows

INDIA

Seven MLAs cross-voted, only three sacked: Akhilesh Yadav's 'selective action' raises eyebrows

The SP’s internal balancing act is clear: punish those who are openly defiant, but keep the door open for those who may still be politically useful.

Akhilesh Yadav’s ‘silence’ on Muslims: Indifference or a strategic shift?

INDIA

Akhilesh Yadav’s ‘silence’ on Muslims: Indifference or a strategic shift?

Political analyst Rajendra Kumar believes Akhilesh is undergoing a strategic transformation. After back-to-back defeats in 2017 and 2019, Yadav has consciously stepped back from overt minority advocacy.

Congress blows hot and cold on alliance with SP in Uttar Pradesh: Will 2027 see a 3-way battle?

INDIA

Congress blows hot and cold on alliance with SP in Uttar Pradesh: Will 2027 see a 3-way battle?

Moments after Yadav publicly backed the alliance, a senior SP leader privately indicated to this reporter that the party may go solo in 2027 or, at best, offer the Congress just 40 seats out of 403.

Ayodhya to immortalise Ram Mandir movement icons through naming of key temple structures

INDIA

Ayodhya to immortalise Ram Mandir movement icons through naming of key temple structures

This symbolic gesture, discussed and unanimously approved during a recent meeting of the Trust, is aimed at ensuring that the stories of sacrifice, leadership, and perseverance behind the temple's realisation become a lasting part of its identity, inspiring future generations of devotees and pilgrims.

'Feels like Treta Yuga': The Rs 2,000 crore endeavour bringing majestic Ayodhya Ram Temple to life

INDIA

'Feels like Treta Yuga': The Rs 2,000 crore endeavour bringing majestic Ayodhya Ram Temple to life

The construction of the grand temple began on August 5, 2020, following a bhoomi pujan (groundbreaking ceremony) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Maha Kumbh delivers Rs 500 crore windfall to UP, fuel sales soar amid pilgrim surge

INDIA

Maha Kumbh delivers Rs 500 crore windfall to UP, fuel sales soar amid pilgrim surge

Government records show that just in January and February 2025, tax collections from sectors directly connected to the Maha Kumbh amounted to Rs 239.47 crore.

'Once-in-a-lifetime creation': Exquisite Ram Darbar unveiled at Ayodhya, new idols to last a thousand years

INDIA

'Once-in-a-lifetime creation': Exquisite Ram Darbar unveiled at Ayodhya, new idols to last a thousand years

The idols were adorned with magnificent ornaments, including a 1,000-carat diamond, 30kg of silver, 300 grams of gold, and 300 carats of rubies, all donated by Mukesh Patel, a businessman from Surat.

Cracks in INDIA bloc? Strain ahead of 2027 UP polls as SP unwilling to give Congress more seats

POLITICS

Cracks in INDIA bloc? Strain ahead of 2027 UP polls as SP unwilling to give Congress more seats

Sources within the SP say Akhilesh is determined to prioritize his party's strength over alliance formalities. His core strategy centers around building a robust booth-level network, particularly among the PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) communities.

Yogi govt plans Madrasa overhaul in UP: What are the proposed education reforms?

INDIA

Yogi govt plans Madrasa overhaul in UP: What are the proposed education reforms?

The proposed reforms, which reflect the government's larger agenda of educational standardisation, will also require madrasas to establish science and computer laboratories.

Why Congress has become its own enemy in Uttar Pradesh

INDIA

Why Congress has become its own enemy in Uttar Pradesh

It has been six months since Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge dissolved the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee in December 2024 with much fanfare, promising a comprehensive overhaul.

Uttar Pradesh emerges as India’s defence manufacturing powerhouse: BrahMos Unit inaugurated; drones, radars, missiles to follow

INDIA

Uttar Pradesh emerges as India’s defence manufacturing powerhouse: BrahMos Unit inaugurated; drones, radars, missiles to follow

The Uttar Pradesh government has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with 169 companies, bringing in investments worth Rs 28,475 crore into the defence corridor.

UP traders deal big blow to Pakistan amid tensions after Pahalgam attack

INDIA

UP traders deal big blow to Pakistan amid tensions after Pahalgam attack

Supplies of essential commodities such as Lahori rock salt, dried dates, black raisins, and sabja seeds have already been disrupted in the state.

Caste census: Why BJP's big move can be double-edged sword in Uttar Pradesh

INDIA

Caste census: Why BJP's big move can be double-edged sword in Uttar Pradesh

As Uttar Pradesh inches closer to its next round of assembly polls, the caste census could become the central issue around which parties will reframe their manifestos, ticket distribution, and alliance strategies.

'Innocent suffer due to rogue state like Pak': Tears, anxiety as Pakistanis scramble back home

INDIA

'Innocent suffer due to rogue state like Pak': Tears, anxiety as Pakistanis scramble back home

Around 1,500 Pakistani citizens are believed to be living across various districts in Uttar Pradesh, with the highest concentration in the western part of the state.

Akhilesh Yadav's 2027 UP election gambit: Will it pay off like 2024 or backfire like 2017?

POLITICS

Akhilesh Yadav's 2027 UP election gambit: Will it pay off like 2024 or backfire like 2017?

“The INDIA alliance is and will remain,” Akhilesh stated, signaling his intention to keep the anti-BJP front united in Uttar Pradesh.

Rana Sanga row deepens 'Agda' vs 'Pichchra' divide, becomes a political minefield ahead of 2027 UP elections

INDIA

Rana Sanga row deepens 'Agda' vs 'Pichchra' divide, becomes a political minefield ahead of 2027 UP elections

According to senior journalist RN Bajpayee, SP initially appeared to have scored a “self-goal” with Ramjilal Suman's remark. But the aggressive reaction of the Karni Sena shifted the tide.

2027 UP elections: Caste equations at the forefront as BJP begins hunt for new state president

POLITICS

2027 UP elections: Caste equations at the forefront as BJP begins hunt for new state president

Prominent names doing the rounds include Minister Dharmpal Singh, Union Minister BL Verma, and Rajya Sabha MP Baburam Nishad. All are OBC leaders with significant regional influence.

Why Mayawati forgave her nephew Akash Anand after expelling him for 'immaturity'

INDIA

Why Mayawati forgave her nephew Akash Anand after expelling him for 'immaturity'

Political observers say the script of Akash’s return was carefully written over the past few weeks.

RSS intensifies outreach as BJP gears up for 2027 Uttar Pradesh elections

INDIA

RSS intensifies outreach as BJP gears up for 2027 Uttar Pradesh elections

The RSS will also launch a door-to-door contact campaign — Griha Sampark Abhiyan — between November 5 and 30. Volunteers will distribute booklets explaining the history, ideology, and work of the Sangh.

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