Union Cabinet and PMO Reshuffle on Cards

At a recent meeting with his Union Cabinet ministers, PM Narendra Modi advised them to focus on the work of their ministries and also restrict their public comments to speaking only about their ministerial work. Many viewed Modi’s counsel as the beginning of an assessment of performance of ministers ahead of an impending cabinet reshuffle. It was seen as a signal that non-performing ministers would be dropped even as Modi 3.0 hasn’t completed a year. The moot point is when will the reshuffle take place? Will it be after the Delhi Assembly polls are held in February? Or soon after the Union Budget is presented on February 1? Since the immediate focus for the Centre will be Mahakumbh mid-January, one may well say PM Modi will choose his time. With too many parties trying to join the BJP’s bandwagon in Maharashrashtra – NCP (SP) leaders and Shiv Sena (UBT) praising CM Devendra Fadnavis — there may be pressure to induct new faces at the Centre. Which means it will not be just old allies Shiv Sena ( Eknath Shinde) and the NCP; NCP leader Praful Patel who spurned the initial MoS offer is certain to be included. The turnaround by veteran leader Sharad Pawar who met Modi along with pomegranate farmers could pave the way for a suitable role for daughter Supriya Sule. There is a buzz that there could be a reshuffle in the PMO too. Both NSA Ajit Doval and Dr PK Misra, principal secretary to the PM, could be hanging their boots. A 1968 Kerala cadre IPS officer Doval has had a very long and distinguished innings and retired in 2005. Misra, a Gujarat cadre IAS officer has worked closely with Modi and retired in 2013. (By Lakshmi Iyer)

1. Nepotism @Bollywood: Eight Star Kids To Hit Big Screen In 2025

As Hrithik Roshan completes 25 years in the films, another 8 star kids are set to enter Bollywood. Starting this month are Ajay Devgn’s nephew Aaman Devgn and Raveena Tandon’s daughter Rasha Thadani who is already a social media star even before her launch in Azaad. Saif Ali Khan’s son Ibrahim has been making news for dating Shweta Tiwari’s daughter Palak even before release of his first film. Ibrahim who has assisted Karan Johar has three films that are under production and will see his debut in this year. One cannot miss Ishq co-stars Aamir Khan and Ajay Devgn at the launch party of director Indra kumar’s son Aman whose  debut film Tera Yaar Hoon Main will be directed by Milap Zaveri. Sanjay Kapoor’s daughter Shanaya Kapoor who was to be launched by Karan Johar will have to wait longer as that movie has been put on hold but she will hit the big screen in Mohanlal starrer Vrushabha. She has been doing studio rounds for the last four years. Ananya Pandey’s cousin Ahan Pandey has been waiting in the wings to be launched by YRF and hopefully it will happen this year. Veer Pahariya, grandson of veteran Congress leader Sushil Kumar Shinde will be seen in Skyforce with Akshay kumar. Last year we saw star kids in Archies which was a disaster but both Khushi Kapoor and Vedang Raina have bagged movies. Khushi will be in Loveyappa with Junaid Khan, Aamir Khan’s son who made his debut in Maharaj. For star kids getting entry into Bollywood is easy. But, how many can make it big like Hrithik, Aamir, Kajol and Ranbir? (Our Entertainment Editor)

BJP’s Operation 272 On, Sharad Pawar’s Party Merger With Ajit’s NCP Unlikely

Operation 272 MPs was launched with the flight of Opposition MPs scheduled for a BJP landing with ETA in April 2025. Sources say the earlier target 260 BJP MPs (reported by Short Post) from current strength of 241 in the Lok Sabha was rescheduled to higher benchmark following hectic parleys with aspiring Opposition MPs, particularly in Maharashtra, keenly looking for greener pastures. This has seriously dented merger plans of Maratha strongman Sharad Pawar with nephew, Ajit Pawar’s NCP. Uncle Pawar deployed womenfolk in the family to convince Ajit Pawar for a merger while making an overture to PM Modi using his reconciliatory gambit. BJP is rather keen over 2/3 of nine UBT Sena MPs, eight from SP camp jumping ship to join its party without attracting anti-defection laws besides regional party MPs from other states to reach the majority magic figure on its own. Ajit Pawar, who succumbed to emotional blackmail by the womenfolk in December 2019 and broke alliance with BJP bringing down the 76-hour long government back then, is unlikely to do a repeat. Ajit Pawar has also nixed senior party MLA Chaggan Bhujbal’s ministerial aspirations over his extra-party OBC activities. Bhujbal’s gambit to use the good offices of CM Devendra Fadnavis also came to naught with the Maha Chanakya CM politely asking him to sort out his problems with Ajit Pawar himself. The so-called NaNi (Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar) factor was always a non-starter sans JD(S) Union Ministers quitting their posts in an election year leaving RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav red-faced and worried about own political future in Bihar just like Sharad Pawar in Maharashtra.  (By Renni Abraham)

1. Eyebrows Raised As CPI (M) Invites Bangladesh Artist Rezwana Choudhury To Inaugurate Jyoti Basu Research Centre

Given the current strained relationship between India and Bangladesh, this move by CPI (M) has shocked everybody.  The Kolkata-headquartered party has invited Rezwana Choudhury Bannya, the noted Rabindra Sangeet artist from Bangladesh, as a special guest to inaugurate the “Jyoti Basu Social Studies and Research Center” on January 17, the death anniversary of former chief minister of West Bengal Jyoti Basu. CPI (M) state secretary Mohammed Salim explained the significance of inviting Rezwana, emphasizing the shared heritage between West Bengal and Bangladesh rooted in the ideals of the Liberation War. He also expressed concerns over recent attempts at religious polarization, stating that the event seeks to reinforce harmony and solidarity between the two Bengals. Rezwana, who has a long-standing connection with West Bengal as a former student of Visva-Bharati and a disciple of late legendary Rabindra Sangeet singer Kanika Bandopadhyay, is expected to perform during the programme.  As expected, the decision has drawn sharp criticism from the BJP. In the past too, Rezwana’s participation had sparked controversy; her planned performance at a municipal event in North 24 Parganas was cancelled following public protests against inviting a “Bangladeshi artist.” Despite the backlash, CPI (M) remains steadfast, viewing the invitation as a political statement. Within the CPI (M), the decision has sparked mixed reactions. While some members praise it as a stand against cultural narrow-mindedness, others question the party’s broader strategy regarding Bangladesh. Critics within the party argue that CPM’s perceived ambivalence toward addressing issues like the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh could further alienate Hindu voters. (By Tanya Bagchi)

Shirdi’s Free Food Largesse Criticised, Evokes Sharp Retort

Shirdi Sai Baba temple in north Maharashtra is a major pilgrimage centre for numerous devotees in India but it, too, is not impervious to political gives and takes. The Shirdi temple administration’s practice of distributing free food to over 50,000 people daily has been criticised by former BJP MP Sujay Vikhe Patil. He has demanded immediate stoppage to this daily occurrence by the administration, which works under a board of trustees appointed by the state government. The food distribution has been going on for a long time. Hence, Vikhe’s timing to raise the demand has perplexed many. Vikhe has said that free food attracts a large number of beggars, many of them from around the country. The expenditure for the food distribution is met from the donations of the devotees. “Stop this practice and spend the money for sculpting the future of children, on their education,” he has asked the board. Warning of an agitation if this is not stopped forthwith, Vikhe has lamented the dismal level of academic standard imparted at an educational complex developed in Shirdi by the administration at a huge expenditure. Vikhe has also demanded concessional rates for meals served to the devotees. His views on the free food have been resented by Akshay Maharaj Bhosale, a leader of the Shiv Sena’s Dharmaveer Adhyatmic wing. The devotees thronging the temple should not be termed beggars, he has quipped. He has advised Vikhe to contact deputy CM Eknath Shinde in case the scion of one of most powerful families in the state has any problem with the Shirdi tradition. (By Dilip Chaware)

Is The Oft Admired Kollywood Formula Failing?

Suddenly Kollywood is facing an existential crisis after its 2024 stocktaking. A Telugu sequel, Pushpa 2 hauled in Rs 1500 crore in just a few weeks. But Kollywood is shell shocked and stunned by the math –it trotted up Rs 1,000 crore loss in 2024. Where did it go wrong? Of 241 films released, 223 were either flops or performed badly. Even as Malayalam films faced Rs 700 crore loss, Kollywood could reap only Rs 2,000 crore. Of its repertoire, 18 films satisfied big outlays and stars … Amaran, GOAT, Meiyazhagan, Aranmanai 4 and a few more. 186 small and medium budgets like Demonte Colony 2, Romeo, Andhagan, Vaazha, Lubber Pandu and Pechi did good business on modest outlays. Tamil Film Producers Council Secretary, K Rajan said “Of the 241 films released in 2024, only 7% have brought cheer to the producers and all other stakeholders. We need quality films backed by strong scripts and stories”.  Looks like the much celebrated Kollywood factory seems to be facing a creativity hiatus. Can’t blame fickle audiences and non performing cast who earn astronomical remuneration. Actually, there are many conflicting pulls…OTT, attention deficit, lack of time to watch a film unravel for 2-plus hours, and myriad other digital distractions. Time to change according to the ecosystem. Nayakan, Thalapathi, Thillana Mohanambal, Sankarabharanam, Thevar Magan and past film hits underscore the creativity of Kollywood to give gripping films. Will Kollywood reinvent itself?  (By Padma Ramnath)

Is Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Eyeing Odisha CM’s Chair?

Even though PM Modi has clearly spelt out that Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi will be in the CM’s chair for the next five years, yet rumour mills continue to be buzzing. And the reason for it is the undercurrent within the BJP unit in Odisha. Sources say Majhi has not kept up with BJP’s poll promises of punishing the law breakers and putting them behind bars. Also, he is yet to fill up ministerial vacancies. As a result, minor dissension is brewing with most BJP ministers/elected leaders tilting towards the Union minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan as they owe their political growth to him and not Mohan Charan Majhi. Pradhan was short-listed for CM’s post before Modi picked on Majhi. It is said that Majhi’s political support within rank and file is dwindling with 50% of leaders rooting for Dharmendra Pradhan, 25% are in the neutral zone and only 25% are in Majhi’s camp. Party sources say Pradhan’s heart is in his homeland, and he is keen to be Odisha CM someday. That said, there are no immediate crises as such for Majhi. But, the moot point is how long can Majhi carry on without support of local leaders.(By Sangram Mohanty)

Beed Episode Heralds Political Logjam In Maharashtra

Embattled minister Dhananjay Munde has generated a political logjam in Maharashtra as even while facing fresh verbal attacks day in and day out, he is refusing to resign. Munde, a confidant of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, belongs to Vanjari community, a prominent OBC section. The NCP led by Pawar is already in the dock owing to the deputy CM’s silence over the entire sordid Beed chain of events as well as his refusal to sack Munde from the Mahayuti government. In fact, symptoms of friction between the BJP and the NCP (Ajit) over the Beed lawlessness events have started coming out in open. The reason is some reckless statements made by BJP’s MLA Suresh Dhas, elected from Ashti in Beed district. A seasoned political figure, Dhas is a Maratha, who has been talking openly against Munde and his cousin Pankaja, both cabinet ministers in the state. In one of his speeches, Dhas attacked Pawar and the home department, held by CM Devendra Fadnavis for not removing Munde. While there is ——-Sooraj Chavan has warned Dhas that such outbursts can create complications for the alliance. “Attempts to defame Ajit Dada will be met with retaliation,” he has warned, while urging Fadnavis to rein in the MLA. The atmosphere is becoming murky since both deputy CMs, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, are avoiding making any statement over the ongoing Beed developments. (By Dilip Chaware)

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