opinion

Despite the financial crunch, Naidu, a four-time Chief Minister who had weathered many a political storm in the past, has been largely successful in striking a balance between welfare and development and mobilising resources to fulfil poll promises and fund the ambitious projects that are integral to his Vision-2047.

Mamdani may be posing and projecting himself as a ‘social democrat’, which he is. At the same time, he espouses his Muslim identity in a more prominent and aggressive way. He identifies himself as a defiant and “unapologetic” Muslim always, often crying victimisation and Islamophobia. Although he has mixed parentage, with his mother being Hindu and his father a Shia Muslim, he identifies himself only as a Muslim.

The new income tax framework delivered tangible relief, with salaried individuals effectively seeing breathing room of up to ₹12.75 lakh in annual income through exemptions and slabs. This was not symbolic; it showed up directly on salary slips, in household budgets, and in consumption patterns. More disposable income meant better household savings, stronger demand for goods and services, and rising confidence.

There is a general perception that in case the BJP does not align with the Akalis, there is a strong probability that most of the leaders who joined the party during the last few years might return to their old parties.

The cluster of coup attempts follows a broader pattern. Since 2020, there have been 11 successful military takeovers in Africa. The prevalence of military takeovers led United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to warn as far back as 2021 of a coup “epidemic.”

The Congress is not an exception when it comes to over-centralisation of power; all political parties are like that. The BJP is probably more centralised today than the Congress.

Nigerians are chronically poor and food insecure. Many are still without jobs. Most have no safety net or means of protection from unforeseen events like illness, natural disasters or loss of jobs.

Despite multiple odds including terror and tariff attacks, the country navigated the turbulent and stormy waters quite successfully even after facing several betrayals from friends and foes alike. India remains a fast growing economy and is ranked among the top countries in the global power index.

The Congress, if it wants to really pose any serious challenge to the BJP, will need to reorient and remodel itself.

While the Nordic countries are leading the way in digital de-escalation in classrooms and at homes, several others have joined in the efforts to give children a screen-free childhood

Sudan’s brutal civil war has killed over 150,000 people, split the country between rival forces and displaced millions, leaving civilians trapped in one of the world’s worst conflicts.

Imran Masood’s remarks on Priyanka Gandhi sparked debate over Congress leadership, indirectly questioning Rahul’s role and hinting at her potential as PM face.