BJP’s Dravidian Face

The coming together of BJPand AIADMK completes a circle. The two parties were allies till September 2023 when AIADMK left the alliance, largely blaming the state leadership—read K Annamalai—for belittling its icons. A three-way contest in the 2024 Lok Sabha election helped the ruling DMK alliance, prompting a rethink in BJP quarters. It made sense for both AIADMK and BJP to renew their vows. The AIADMK leadership would be aware that despite contesting more seats on its own, the rise in its vote share was very modest. On the other hand, BJP’s vote rose to double digits. Yet, neither won a single seat of the 39 on offer. The BJP brass decided to cede the pole position to AIADMK, potentially projecting Edapaddi K Palaniswami as likely chief minister. The reasoning behind the decision lies in the view that the alliance needs a regional face and identity. Under Annamalai’s stewardship, BJP had strongly opposed the “Dravidian” model espoused by DMK and advocated a more “sanatani” image. Though AIADMK differs from DMK in tone, tenor and substance, it does identify with the legacy of CN Annadurai. The Dravidian hues of Tamil Nadu politics are unlikely to fade any time soon and BJP’s move to replace Annamalai with Nainar Nagendran, a former AIADMK leader, is a prudent one. The stakes are high in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election in view of the heightened confrontation between Chief Minister MK Stalin and BJP, and the latter would like to put its best foot forward.

Minority Motive

The BJP minorities’ front has its work cut out. Advocating the BJP position on issues like the Waqf Bill in the face of hostility from Muslim organisations and leaders is a tough task. However, the front is active and organises outreach programmes regularly. It recently held a discussion on the issues before Pasmanda Muslims—seen to be ‘backward’ in the community. In defence of Waqf reforms, BJP leaders have said the new law will benefit sections like the Pasmandas, who will now get their due. The discussion at the India Islamic Centre in Delhi on One Nation, One Election was addressed by BJP General Secretary Sunil Bansal who has played an important role in the party’s affairs in Uttar Pradesh.

Catching Himachal’s Chitta

The campaign launched by the Centre against narcotics smuggling has not come a day too soon. The spread of chitta (heroin-based synthetic drugs) beyond Punjab is worrying law enforcement agencies. The availability of the drug in cities and towns in hill states like Himachal Pradesh points to a strong production and supply network, prompting the state police to accord high priority to tackling the menace. The drug is being carried into the state by visitors, but the organised smuggling is in the hands of white-collar criminals. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has promised a tough
law against smugglers even as no region of the state is untouched by the problem.

Saini the Strategist

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has borrowed a leaf from Yogi Adityanath and is implementing central schemes and programmes at breakneck speed. The inauguration of the first flight from Hisar to Ayodhya by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who also launched a new bypass for the crowded town of Rewari in South Haryana, marks new infrastructure projects. Since he assumed office, Saini has rolled out schemes for women, students and farmers. Consolidating BJP’s base and diluting the hostility of the Jat community towards the party are key aspects of Saini’s strategy.

Badal Is Back

Sukhbir Singh Badal is back as president of the Shiromani Akali Dal. The Badals have exercised control over the party for more than three decades now and the leader’s return to the post he vacated in November last year was preceded by the removal of jathedars of Sikh Takhts involved in Badal being censured for “misconduct”, a charge Badal had pleaded guilty to. His return, however, may not mean a rapprochement with BJP, which he accuses of trying to take over Sikh institutions.

Rush for Ram

In the next stage of the Ram Mandir’s development in Ayodhya, the Ram Durbar will be opened to the public by May 23. While the idols to be installed on the first floor of the temple are ready and have reached the temple, studies are being conducted on the number of devotees to be present in the durbar at any point in time. It has been calculated that not more than 50-60 people can ascend the stairs to the first level at a time, and the maximum capacity of the Ram Durbar is around 700. This means the flow of devotees will need to be suitably regulated. The Ram Janmabhoomi Trust is considering issuing daily online passes which will not entail a payment but will be mandatory for darshan at the Ram Durbar.

Ajay Pandey Goes to Beijing

National Financial Reporting Authority Chief Ajay Bhushan Pandey has been appointed vice president, Investment Solutions, at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in Beijing. A former finance secretary who has held key positions such as the head of the Unique Identification Authority of India in its formative stages, Pandey will provide leadership and oversee the Finance Solutions Department, Sustainability and Fiduciary Solutions Department (SFD) and the Portfolio Management Department (PMD). Prior to joining AIIB in April 2025, he served in leadership roles at the Centre and in the Maharashtra government. He played a pivotal role in developing infrastructure through Aadhaar, UPI, GSTN, and the National Infrastructure Pipeline.

Ajay PandeyAmit ShahBJP-AIADMKChittaCN AnnaduraiHimachal PradeshIndian politicsNayab Singh SainiSukhbir Singh BadalSunil BansalTamil NaduWaqf Bill