Tridib Raman
In the recent past, the way a favourite saffron MP of the government and a former deputy Chief Minister of UP have targeted the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has not gone down well with the Central Government. Sources reveal that the RSS leadership has also expressed its displeasure over this. It is understood that the BJP leadership has explained to its favourite MP, Nishikant Dubey, that “such foolishness is not acceptable — picking a fight with the Supreme Court is not good for the health of the government or the party.” Ever since the Supreme Court delivered an important verdict on 8 April 2025 regarding the ongoing tussle between the DMK government of Tamil Nadu and its Governor, R.N. Ravi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has also entered the fray—reportedly at someone’s behest—repeatedly voicing hollow concerns on various platforms about judicial overreach. However, this historic decision of the Supreme Court — which clearly states that “the Governor and the President have no right to exercise a ‘pocket veto’ on bills” — is resonating across the country. While Nishkant Dubey may have directly targeted the current Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna, who is set to retire on 14 May, it is said that the reverberations of his statement are being felt far and wide. The incoming Chief Justice, BR Gavai, is known as a judge who strongly advocates for civil rights and is deeply concerned about marginalized communities. Moreover, both Supreme Court judges who delivered the historic 8 April verdict — Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan — have an undisputed reputation for integrity. Most importantly, Justice Pardiwala is set to serve as Chief Justice of India from May 2028 until 11 August 2030 — a factor that makes it even less likely for the central government to want to antagonize him.
BJP MP’s 25th Anniversary Celebrations in Grand Style
Nishikant Dubey, the proactive BJP MP from Godda, Jharkhand, elected for the fourth time, is no stranger to headlines. Whether it’s the Mahua Moitra controversy or his personal attacks on the Supreme Court’s Chief Justice and former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi, Dubey has consistently stayed in the news. While controversies have shadowed him, he also boasts a large circle of friends across political parties. Recently, he hosted a lavish three-day celebration at the luxurious Khyber Himalayan Resorts & Spa, in Gulmarg to mark his 25th wedding anniversary, which grabbed as much attention as his controversies. Reports suggest that all arrangements for the event were personally handled by the resort’s owner, Umar Tramboo. Sources claim the guest list was star-studded, featuring high-profile names like Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, and Supriya Sule, a close friend of Dubey. Attendees also included Delhi Minister Pravesh Verma, Congress leader Brijendra Singh, BJP MP Kamlesh Paswan, and several prominent businessmen. Notably, a Noida-based builder, recently raided by the Income Tax Department, was also spotted at the event. The most important thing is that this party took place just 10 days before the Pahalgam incident, and there were tight security arrangements in place.
Rahul Gandhi’s U.S. Visit Draws Criticism from American Academics
Rahul Gandhi recently revisited Brown University in Rhode Island during his U.S. tour, reaffirming his penchant for engaging with American academia. A frequent visitor to prominent institutions like Harvard, Michigan, and Brown, Gandhi’s interactions are often facilitated by close advisors, including political scientist Professor Ashutosh Varshney and Sam Pitroda. This visit, too, was reportedly coordinated by them. During a one-on-one discussion with Brown’s professors and intellectuals, an American academic remarked, “We welcome your political ideas, but unlike Modi, you’ve consistently failed to craft a winning electoral strategy. Don’t you know how elections are won?” Smiling, Gandhi replied, “I’m a long-distance runner. I still run 5 to 10 kilometers daily. I’m in politics for ideology, not power. If not 2029, we’ll certainly win the 2034 Lok Sabha elections. I’m prepared to wait.” His comments reportedly cast an awkward silence over the room. Later, as he left the meeting, Sam Pitroda advised him to avoid such candid remarks publicly, noting, “People today only bet on winning horses.” The exchange highlighted growing frustration among Gandhi’s allies over his reluctance to prioritize pragmatic electoral tactics over ideological purity, even as the Congress party struggles to regain political relevance.
Modi Government Keeping Distance from Rahul Gandhi
There is now a buzz within the Congress party about whether the central government is deliberately ignoring Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi. When the President of Chile visited India at the beginning of April, a dinner was organized in his honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan, with many dignitaries invited. Typically, the Ministry of External Affairs plays an important role in finalizing the guest list for such events. However, Rahul Gandhi’s name was missing from the list. Congress sources claim that this is not the first time the government has sidelined the tradition of inviting the Leader of the Opposition to such dinners. Now, not only is Rahul Gandhi excluded from invitations, but officials from the Ministry of External Affairs reportedly discourage embassies from introducing their dignitaries to him.Nevertheless, embassies of several countries, including Australia, New Zealand, and Mexico, took the initiative to independently contact the Leader of the Opposition’s office and arranged meetings between their ministers or heads of state and Rahul Gandhi. However, no country wishes to be drawn into India’s internal political disputes. Meanwhile, Congress leaders are calling this a mockery of the basic spirit of democracy.
Saini’s Ingenious Moves Leave Congress in Disarray
Over six months have passed since Nayab Singh Saini’s government returned to power in Haryana, yet the Congress, serving as the opposition, has failed to elect a Leader of the Opposition (LoP). Congress members are pinning the blame on Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of indecision. Sources reveal that Rahul favours appointing a fresh face as LoP to counter the party’s internal squabbles, but senior leaders are resisting, arguing that sidelining veterans would exacerbate factionalism. Rahul’s visible displeasure with senior leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda has further complicated matters. Hooda was conspicuously sidelined at the Congress’ Ahmedabad session, relegated to hovering near Ashok Gehlot. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Saini has turned the Congress’ disarray into an opportunity. With no LoP in place, constitutional appointments—such as the Chief Information Commissioner and six other commissioners—remain stalled. Saini has cleverly referred the matter for legal review, bypassing the need for a LoP-led panel. During the recent Haryana Assembly elections, Congress aggressively campaigned on issues like the Agnipath Scheme, wrestlers’ protests, and farmers’ grievances. CM Saini, however, has outmaneuvered them by announcing a 20% reservation in Haryana Police for Agniveers (short-term military recruits) post-retirement in 2026. He is also crafting major schemes for wrestlers and farmers, leaving Congress scrambling for relevance. Saini’s strategic brilliance lies in exploiting procedural gaps: key appointments requiring a CM-LoP-minister panel are now stalled indefinitely, thanks to the Congress’ inability to unite. As the ruling BJP consolidates its agenda, the opposition remains trapped in its own chaos, reduced to helplessly watching Saini’s political masterstrokes unfold.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s Unconventional Flair
After orchestrating grand weddings for both his sons, complete with spirited dancing, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan embarked on a visit to Brazil with his wife. There, he studied techniques for boosting tomato and potato yields, aiming to replicate these successes for Indian farmers. His journey, documented extensively on social media, showcased his signature blend of personal exuberance and professional zeal. Upon returning, Chouhan decided to share his newfound agricultural insights directly with farmers. His office swiftly assembled a delegation from Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh, inviting them to his residence for a knowledge-sharing session. True to his reputation for humility, Chouhan personally greeted the farmers at his doorstep, escorted them inside, and graciously seated them in his drawing room. With folded hands, he asked, “What would you like: tea or a cold drink?” A farmer from Haryana, seated at the back, stood up and quipped, “All that can wait. First, call the Minister here—we’d like to meet *him*!” The remark, mistaking Chouhan himself for an aide, left the Minister momentarily speechless, his bemused expression stealing the spotlight. The moment, both awkward and endearing, encapsulated Chouhan’s down-to-earth persona—a leader equally comfortable in global conferences and humble living rooms.
BJP Postpones National Executive Meet Amid RSS Pressure
BJP’s National Executive meeting, which was scheduled to be held in Bengaluru from April 18–20 last week, had to be postponed at the last minute. The RSS wanted the meeting to take place only after the election of the party’s new president. However, the term of the current BJP National President, J.P. Nadda, has been extended until June 30. Therefore, it is now believed that the party will elect its new president before May 10. By then, the process of appointing new presidents in the remaining 18 states might also be completed. It is also reported that the RSS is not happy with the BJP continuously extending Nadda’s term since January 20, 2023.
