Sharat Pradhan

Kuldeep Sengar is finally expelled from the BJP and the UP authorities give the Unnao rape case sudden attention after the SC takes cognisance. The contrast with earlier is striking.

Despite the UP govt's efforts to garner Dalit votes ahead of the elections, the BJP MLA's daughter being hounded for marrying a Dalit man seems to evoke only silence from the CM.

The 'gathbandhan' between 'bua' Maya and 'bhatija' Akhilesh was based on the shaky ground of mutual distrust and political desperation. It had to collapse, with Mayawati blaming Akhilesh.

UP CM’s recent ordinance, banning ‘anti-national’ activities on campuses, has left many wondering just why such an order was needed when there are already sufficient laws on this?

If religion rode over caste in Uttar Pradesh, it was Yogi’s doing. His success has only strengthened his personal political bastion now.

Not only does the gathbandhan stand decimated in Uttar Pradesh, but the Congress has also suffered its worst defeat here. That's despite the starry addition of Priyanka Gandhi.

Has Narendra Modi's key strategy been self-glorification, combined with the vilification of Pakistan and the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty?

Singh is reaching out to every section of society, including Muslims, despite knowing he stands a very easy chance at winning.

From communication to charisma and confidence, Priyanka has it all. Her arrival has rejuvenated the UP Congress and unsettled the saffron ranks.

The SP-BSP together have shown BJP defeat in earlier times. But what will happen to the Muslim vote in the face of this alliance? Will the Congress be a surprise beneficiary?

The CBI allegedly being used to settle political scores surprises few. But the question many are asking is, is the target Akhilesh, but the message for Mayawati?

The investigation of a riot and the murder of a police official has disgorged various so-called conspirators and killers. We won't be surprised if the narrative comes up with more new names, and perhaps, less truth.

The SP-BSP combine can't judge the Congress on its 2014 tally, and their own selves on earlier, better records.

During the Assembly polls in 2018, the BJP banked heavily on the polarisation of the Hindu vote. That hasn't worked. Can it afford to do so in the upcoming contest too?

A mahagathbandhan formed around a resurgent Congress can be very different from the floppy efforts we have seen so far.

Ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the communal factory is doing its bit for their own vested interests.

The VHP-RSS failed to give their followers anything new, even as Uddhav took the fight straight to PM Modi’s door.

The UP chief minister is expected to come in handy to take the attention of the people away from real issues into the realm of Hindutva.

Awadh’s first nawab Saadat Ali Khan, who built Faizabad in 1730, made no attempt to give any new name to Ayodhya.

The saffron party is trying to force the Opposition’s hand on the big question — whether they are for or against the temple.

The saffron party expects the Ram Mandir issue to fetch it great political dividends. But it will have to fight off challengers and rivals.

How effective would a mahagathbandhan have been be in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh anyway?

This malaise can be tackled only if governments follow guidelines laid down by Supreme Court.

Political analysts view Mayawati’s move as a blow to the much-speculated mahagathbandhan.

The Bhim Army chief is out of jail because the BJP did not wish to appear ‘anti-Dalit’. What will his release mean for the party, and for the Mahagathbandhan’?

A weakened SP on account of the visible cracks, may not really be able to give the BJP a run for its money.

It seems the party somewhere realises that all is not as hunky dory in Uttar Pradesh as it was in 2014.

Irrespective of who was in power, Vajpayee’s recommendations for his constituency would never be ignored.

Whether CM Yogi Adityanath actually means business and will succeed in bringing an end to such crimes is something only time will tell.

The government only wants to create a perception that it is serious about tackling law and order.