The Modi-Lula Agenda

The re-election of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva for a record fourth term was immediately hailed by India’s Left leaders and commentators who saw the results as a win for “progressive” forces. But while the outcome of the closely contested poll is indeed a snub to US President Donald Trump, the implications for the Modi government are quite different. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shares a warm relationship with Lula despite the latter’s leftist politics as both leaders are focused on common issues relating to the Global South and have reservations about Trump’s policies. The collaborative approach is based on hedging against uncertainties caused by Trump’s wrecking-ball approach to America’s foreign relationships which does not distinguish between friends and foes. Lula attended the India AI Summit in February and the two leaders have met about half-a-dozen times in the past few years.

Dubey Wins the Day

BJP MP from Godda Nishikant Dubey is a tough customer as former Finance Secretary Subhash Garg found out to his cost when he was asked by the Delhi High Court to delete posts on X with derogatory references to the MP. Dubey is not someone to ignore a loose comment and hit back after Garg claimed the MP approached him for an intervention with LIC. Dubey also scored a win when TMC (Mamata) MP Mahua Moitra told the high court she will remove a post questioning Dubey’s academic credentials. Dubey had been the prime mover behind Moitra’s expulsion from Lok Sabha in 2023.

Jarange’s Tale

A forensic examination will hopefully reveal the truth about claims that a large sum was arranged to influence Maratha reservation activist-leader Manoj Jarange through Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s son, Shrikant Shinde. The plot, as claimed on the basis of an audio clip, sounds outlandish as it is hard to imagine Shiv Sena leaders directly associating with any such caper. The suggestion that the clip is a ‘BJP plot’ seems equally far-fetched and an SIT probing the matter is expected to reveal if the ‘evidence’ is credible. Tracing the persons featured in the audio may, however, prove rather more challenging.

AAP’s Outsiders

The presence of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other AAP leaders like Manish Sisodia and Satyendra Jain in Punjab has become a source of resentment among the public. They are seen as paratroopers living off AAP in Punjab after losing their perch in Delhi and the negative perception is strengthened by their influence. A recent incident where an AAP volunteer had to leave the residence of a state minister after questions were raised by Congress MLA Sukhpal Khaira is a case in point.

Birla’s Call

The 12th meeting of the BRICS concluded with the joint declaration reflecting robust language on terrorism, which Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla noted covered terror financing, cross-border terrorism and safe havens. It was an important outcome of what might otherwise be regarded as a routine event.

Gadkari Has the Last Word

Not long after the Modi government assumed office in May 2014, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari’s announcement that there would be boat rides on the Yamuna evoked disbelief and scorn in equal measure. The water quality of the river remains a work in progress but a ferry between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur is set to be launched ahead of Chhath Puja. Gadkari may have the last laugh.

A Vote for Yogi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pointed response to a woman during an interaction that she should thank Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for Uttar Pradesh’s (UP) improved law and order is revealing. It indicates the BJP brass is rallying behind Yogi as the party seeks a third successive term in office in elections due early next year. The challenge is significant as BJP faces a resurgent Samajwadi Party that along with allies won more seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha election in UP. It should settle speculation about Yogi’s salience and provide food for thought to rivals waiting in the wings.